Constant attention has been drawn to the use of plant protection products in floriculture. When using plant protection products, choices are carefully made as chain stores make high demands on the residues of flowers and plants. Growers can determine the levels of crop protection products by screening for residues during cultivation or after harvesting. But why should you monitor the concentrations of residues in floriculture? Normec Groen Agro Control explains.
Why monitor?
"There are several reasons to monitor the concentrations of residues in floriculture. Below is a list of reasons:
- To check for residues on edible plants that must comply with the European Maximum Allowable Residues (MRL-EU) or other trade requirements
- The requirements and wishes of a quality certificate that you have.
- Additional trade requirements of chain stores, especially in Germany. If desired, we provide the assessment in the report against the requirements of Aldi-DE, Kaufland-DE, LIDL-DE, Ikea, etc.
- Due to the side effects of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Control of residues on your starting material so that you are not faced with surprises with substances that should not be on it.
- Knowledge about residues of agents in outlet water. This way, you prevent crop damage. Residues in drain water are also important to realize the safe reuse of water.
- We also analyze artificial plant hormones such as benzyladenine, growth regulators and inhibitors, herbicides, etc.
- Because you have damage to the crop and want to find out whether residues are the cause."
Extensive screening
How can Normec help? "Our extensive screening checks in one go for more than 650 active substances in the crop, leaf, or water samples. If desired, our accredited samplers can come and take the sample independently at your location in the Netherlands."
They have a versatile laboratory for floriculture, where they can check:
- Residues of plant protection products, inhibitors, herbicides, etc.
- Nutrients in the substrate, water, leaf juice, and crop samples. We are an RHP-certified lab for physical and chemical analyses on potting soil.
- Water quality: recirculation of water and standards, heavy metals in condensation water.
- Diagnosis of crop diseases: from microscopic examination to DNA analyses.
- Hygiene: limiting risks with resources, but also advice on hygiene protocols.
- Courses and tailor-made training: residues, nutrients, microbiology, etc.
Course Residue in ornamental plants
On top of that, they offer a course, Residue in Ornamental plants. "The crop protection plan and the products to be used must be geared to the customer's requirements. Chain stores set high standards for residues on flowers and plants. The Residues in Ornamental Cultivation course is given for Growers as well as for Trading Companies, live or online."
For more information: 
Normec Groen Agro Control
Distributieweg 1, 2645 EG
Delfgauw, The Netherlands
www.agrocontrol.nl
For samples: https://agrocontrol.nl/en/sending-samples/