UK: Hort Science Live 2017 to showcase latest production innovations

IPM in the root zone, a holistic approach to pre-empting nutrient deficiencies and the management of air filled porosity in growing media are just three of the practical subjects being explored at the new Hort Science Live event next month.

Created by ICL and Bayer, Hort Science Live 2017 is being hosted by the Bransford Webb Plant Company and run in association with the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).

With a wealth of IPM experience, Martin Donnelly ICL’s sales development manager, will explain the benefits of using growing media within the IPM programme and the importance of taking a holistic approach.

Staying with the holistic theme, ICL technical manager Andrew Wilson will explain how growers can avoid nutrient deficiency problems by utilising the latest generation of fertilizers employing dual coating technologies.

John Adlam of Dove Associates will lead a practical demonstration calibrating a water powered fertilizer injector. Then, in his session entitled ‘A breath of fresh air – the management of air filled porosity (AFP)’, he will explore the effects of AFP, how to change it and different management systems. Sticking with growing media, Lana Farren of Amega Sciences will explain the principles of wetting agents and why we need them.

Dr Colin Mumford, from Bayer’s technical team, will literally be putting vine weevil under a digital microscope while Lucy Carson-Taylor and Ed Birchall (Animal and Plant Health Agency) will tackle Xylella fastidiosa. Bringing growers up-to-date information regarding this devastating bacterial plant pathogen, they will discuss symptoms and potential pathways into the UK.

“Hort Science Live will give growers an opportunity to interact with leading specialists in growing media, plant nutrition and plant protection – all vital areas of plant production,” says Adam Ferjani, ICL marketing communications manager. “Workshops will focus on the practical application to enable growers to apply these latest techniques and technologies to benefit their own production.”

Hort Science Live 2017 will be held on Thursday, 20 July, at the Bransford Webbs Plant Company, at Bransford, Worcester. Tickets cost £20 and availability is limited. For further information, visit www.hta.org.uk/hortsciencelive or visit the ICL stand at the HTA National Plant Show, June 20-21, at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry.

For more information:
ICL Group
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IP3 9FJ
T: +44 (0)1473 237100
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E: prof.sales@icl-group.com
www.icl-group.com
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