In the first quarter of 2019, five new water-related investigations were started within the Greenhouse Horticulture Waterproof umbrella of the sector Horticulture & Propagation Material. The studies are: Preventing and fighting emissions from greenhouses II, Quicker analysis of water quality, Care for soil-bound crops, Innovative & alternative cultivation systems for soil-bound cut flowers and Optimizing fertilization with ion-specific sensors.
Preventing and fighting emissions from greenhouses II
In this project, knowledge is further developed within three approaches in order to optimize the reuse of drain water in substrate crops. Approach 1 further investigates how to grow with adding more sodium. In approach 2 they investigate to what extent with different filtering techniques and/or the better use of filtering techniques, a (virtually) zero discharge can be realized more easily. In approach 3 a method is developed that can estimate to what extent added products can cause damage to emission-free cultivation.
Quicker analysis of water quality
Optimizing the reuse of drain water places high demands on the amount of water quality information and the speed with which it is available. The aim of this project is to arrive at a selection of one or more methods to quickly determine the biological water quality.
Requirements for soil-bound crops
The aim of this project is to provide tools to meet the official requirements for care. This project is more or less a restart of previous projects related to safety measures (lysimeter, soil sensors, limiting seepage and intrusion).
Innovative & alternative cultivation systems for soil-bound cut flowers
Within this project, they will research the possibilities for hydroponic cultivation of cut flowers. They work with three crops, including the chrysanthemum. The 'floating cultivation' method leads to a considerable reduction in the use and emission of fertilizers, crop protection agents and water.
Optimization of fertilization with ion-specific sensors
Due to recent developments in measurement technology and fertilization knowledge, it's possible to further optimize plant nutrition. More accurate dosing of food increases the yield and quality of the crop and reduces the need for drain water. The aim of the project is to optimize fertilization per fertigation and to demonstrate that suboptimal fertilization can be detrimental to production.
Financing and implementation
Studies within the Public-Private partnership of the sector Horticulture & Propagation Materials are funded by KijK, other private parties, Stowa and the Ministry of LNV. Implementation lies primarily within the various knowledge institutions; Wageningen University & Research, Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture, KWR, SFCC and Proeftuin Zwaagdijk.
Source: Glastuinbouw Waterproof