Important to know what`s going on in the slabs

Daily measurements of the slab by hand meter give essential information on what is going on in the slabs. This is important to confirm the readings of any fixed sensors and to show the standard deviation across the glasshouse. This data will give more potential control over the crop to increase yield and quality as well as more efficient use of water and fertilisers. The substrate manufacturer Saint-Gobain Cultilene has developed measuring protocols to standardize the way of measuring and to turn it into a procedure.

Glasshouse crop production uses a large amount of water. In the future this has to change as water is becoming increasing scarce in some countries and more expensive. More efficiency in the use of fertilisers and a reduction in emissions is also becoming legislation. To reduce water and fertilizer use to the substrate needs good management to avoid problems stresses growing specialist Kim Harding from Cultilene. "There should be target levels for water content ec and drain % for the crop, but also it is important to monitor the standard deviation in these figures around the glasshouse"

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