This year’s topical ICL seminar at the Four Oaks Trade Show will focus on sustainability in relation to the grow, nurture and protect elements of nursery production - explaining the practicalities while highlighting a range of benefits.
The seminar will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, September 6, in the new Educate, Collaborate & Innovate zone in House E. All attendees will qualify for BASIS and NRoSO points and receive a £5 lunch voucher to spend on-site.
After outlining the principles of sustainability, Sam Rivers - ICL technical manager for controls - will explain what it means for nursery businesses in relation to growing, nurturing, and protecting plants.
“Sustainability has to work for your business and needs to be thought through and planned,” says Sam. “Reviewing your business operations and inputs is important not just for sustainability, but for managing costs and efficiencies in a time of rising inflation.”
Looking at the ‘grow’ element, Andrew Wilson – ICL technical manager for professional horticulture - will outline the sustainable growing media options available and how businesses can plan a route towards non-peat growing media.
Moving on to the ‘nurture’ element, he says water has become an increasingly scarce and expensive resource. “Wetting agents can reduce water requirements and reduce nutrient leaching from these new sustainable media,” he says. “With lower nutrient holding capabilities, to produce quality plants, it is key to provide an efficient nutrient plan - while keeping nutrient losses to a minimum.”
Turning to the ‘protect’ element – Sam will explain how to plan a crop protection plan integrating biological products to reduce reliance on conventional pesticides.
“Sustainability goals can be implemented over time in line with your business's development,” he says. “Going green is a process, not an overnight target.”
For more information:
ICL Group
prof.sales@icl-group.com
www.icl-group.com