Categories
Greenhouse News

Papayas (Paw Paw) in a greenhouse

Another tropical fruit to consider

 

I am frequently being asked about growing non-traditional crops, by people looking to diversify, and whether they would be commercially viable.   Over the past three years I have identified several products that should be investigated this takes time, effort and research.  Without having a dedicated high-tech greenhouse research station, set up in New Zealand, to provide the necessary information for our location, we are reliant on overseas developments.   The Dutch have the famous Wageningen University where they have the capacity to research all manner of non-traditional greenhouse crops, they determine if non-traditional produce can be grown in a greenhouse environment in Holland.  The information sharing and collaborative research, between growers and the university, is providing the private sector with the confidence they require to commercially grow these different cultivars, in a high-tech greenhouse, with the knowledge they will make profitable returns.  

In New Zealand – we do not have cohesive greenhouse research. We have pockets of research being conducted but often private businesses and entrepreneurs must take a punt; here in lies the issue. The confidence required, to be fully committed to growing alternative products, just isn’t there.  One example is the extremely slow progression of the change from growing strawberries in the ground to producing them in protected cropping structures.   Many other countries are growing in the most high-tech advanced systems you can imagine.  In New Zealand there are constraints to investing in such high-tech developments, so growers are opting for low tech tunnel houses.  Australia exports winter strawberries to NZ at a relatively cheap price, so I fully understand the hesitancy of building a high-tech strawberry farm in NZ. 

I believe there is an opportunity to grow more tropical fruit under some type of protected structure in NZ.  Without this being fully researched it is too hard to be 100% confident any new cultivar will be commercially viable.  In Europe they have been commercially growing Papayas, in high tech greenhouses, with the help of research and collaboration, something I can only dream of happening here.

Below is a link to a video of the Papayas growing.  The video is in Dutch and the grower is talking to a chef but seeing what is possible is what I am excited about.

https://binnenstebuiten.kro-ncrv.nl/passie-voor-eten/video/limburgse-papayas

 

This video shows the amazing production potential.

 

 

Cover photo supplied by Kotare Subtropical Nursery from Papaya plants currently growing in their greenhouse: E – kotarefarm@yahoo.co.nz : P – 0274 347 041

 

Article written and compiled by Stefan Vogrincic

All Article’s checked and edited by Marie Vogrincic

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment on the grower2grower Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/StefanGrower2grower/

 

 

Categories
Greenhouse News

Bayer – ToBRFV variety update

Tomato Varieties with High Resistance in Pipeline

 

Bayer launches additional commercial varieties with intermediate resistance to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) and  announces new tomato varieties with high resistance in pipeline

Varieties will allow growers to protect their yield without leaf and fruit symptoms.

Combinations of resistance in Bayer’s pre-commercial pipeline could protect against ToBRFV even under high pressure conditions.

 

Monheim, May 19, 2021 – Bayer announced today the commercial availability of tomato varieties bred to help growers address the challenges of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). These include a grape tomato, pink beef, beefs and Roma-type tomatoes, offering strong Intermediate Resistance (IR) to both leaf and fruit symptoms of ToBRFV.

 

ToBRFV was first observed in 2014 and spread rapidly to different world areas. This viral disease impacting tomato plants represents a challenge for the industry as it can be transmitted very easily through many vectors including farming tools and equipment, workers’ hands, plants, water, soil, and people.

 

The performance Bayer has seen in these varieties aligns with Intermediate Resistance (IR), as defined by the International Seed Federation where the crop can show little or no symptoms of the virus in leaf or fruit. For the grower, this means an opportunity to protect more marketable yield without fruit and leaf symptoms and provide a more consistent supply into the food chain.

 

As an integral part of its durable resistance strategy, Bayer’s global Research and Development teams have been stacking ToBRFV resistances into the global tomato pipelines and trialing those under high disease pressure conditions around the world with the ultimate goal of developing varieties with high resistance to the virus.

 

In addition to current commercial offerings providing Intermediate IR, Bayer has identified combinations of resistance in its pre-commercial pipeline that have the potential to produce plants and fruit that show no visible symptoms even under ToBRFV high pressure conditions. Late stage pre-commercial trials on those plant varieties are beginning now. Bayer hopes expects to make these varieties commercially available in the next 2-3 years.

 

“Leveraging the strength and organization of our global collaborative breeding pipelines and germplasm library, supported by our marker technology platforms, pathology programs and widespread use of rapid breeding cycles, means that this combination of resistance is already incorporated into our elite breeding lines across the world,” said J.D. Rossouw, Head of Bayer’s Vegetable Seeds R&D. “As part of our commitment to continuing development of a durable resistance strategy to ToBRFV, Bayer is layering resistances to build stronger protection for growers as well as incorporating novel sources of High Resistance from wild tomato species, and will prioritize roll out of these resistances across our global tomato pipelines to continue to build virus protection for growers.“

 

The ToBRFV resistance program is part of Bayer’s corporate commitment to Health for All, Hunger for None. It complements the company’s SHIELD program, a comprehensive approach to deliver clean seeds season after season to growers around the world. For more than 10 years, the focus of SHIELD has been on the prevention, detection and elimination of pathogens at our own Bayer production and processing sites, as well as third-party production and processing sites for Seminis and De Ruiter brands.

 

The SHIELD program continues to incorporate market-leading best practices into seed production and supply. In addition to its strict production protocols that are applicable whatever the growing environment (open field, greenhouse or glasshouse), Bayer has always, and will continue to have, stringent testing measures in place aligned with the International Seed Health Initiative (ISHI) guidelines and any applicable laws, which includes testing our seed for the presence of ToBRFV before it is shipped to customers.

 

About Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to drive sustainable development and generate a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2020, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 41.4 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 4.9 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

 

Contact: 

Charla Lord, phone +1 314 343 7196

Email: Charla.Lord@Bayer.com

Find more information at www.bayer.com. 

   (2021-0096)

 

Article Source – Marco Lozada.  Contact Marco in New Zealand:

Marco Lozada

De Ruiter Business Development

Coordinator New Zealand

 

////////////////////

 

Bayer New Zealand Ltd

Vegetable Seeds Division

704 Harrisville Road,

Pukekohe RD2 2677

Tel: +64 09 239 0666

Mobile: +64 27 222 2432

Mail: maco.lozada@bayer.com

Web: http://www.bayer.com I http://www.deruiter.com

Data privacy information

Image supplied by Marco Lozada 

 

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
Categories
Greenhouse News Technical

The Final Word – Organic Certification

THE FINAL WORD

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

Regenerative Agriculture and Organic Agriculture are simply not sustainable in the long term:

Mike Nichols

There is a steadily increasing world demand for organically certified horticultural products.  It therefore makes very good sense for New Zealand, as a provider to the world of premium horticultural products to further increase the return by producing crops in a manner which ensures that they are organically certified.   The problem is, however, that there is no one single organic certification standard world-wide.   Even within New Zealand there are two slightly different organic standards, Biogrow and Demeter, although both are soil based. 

In Europe (EU) it is necessary to grow the crops for organic certification in soil, which is in direct contact with the bedrock while the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will certify crops as organic when the crops are grown hydroponically, provided that the nutrients supplied to the crop are organically derived and no manufactured pesticides are used.   Currently in New Zealand the organic standards require the crops to be grown in soil in contact to the bedrock, although there are some exceptions—for example seedling production may in special circumstances be in a growing medium. Some 20 years ago Atkins and Nichols (2004) undertook a study comparing conventional hydroponics and an organic hydroponics lettuce study, with only a small delay in maturity with the organic hydroponics crop. 

Thus there is a big disparity in the requirements for the two systems which could prove troublesome for our legislators.  The “new” organics products bill which is approaching it’s 2nd reading in Parliament will require some very nimble footwork to overcome this difficulty.  It all comes down to a single word in the bill, the word “standards”. If New Zealand continues with the current requirement that organic certified products must be grown in soil-based systems, then USDA certified product could not be sold in New Zealand, as certified organic, unless an exception is made for USDA organic products.  However, this would clearly be to the economic disadvantage of any local growers using organic hydroponics production technology unless two different organic standards are accepted in New Zealand.  

Of course there are excellent reasons to avoid having two separate certification systems, but in my experience most (many) of the general public have little appreciation of what organic certification actually means.  In a survey carried out some 20 years ago, the general view was that people purchased organic food because it was perceived as having received low or no pesticides and was therefore safer to eat.  This aspect of food safety is now more than adequately covered by GAP, with the added advantage that GAP also considers environmental aspects of production.    No agronomist or grower would disagree with the value of organic matter in the soil, so the only difference is really whether to use inorganic fertilizers to supplement the nutrients in the organic manure. 

New Zealand soils are derived essentially from volcanic activity, and this means that in certain situations essential elements for plants or animals may be absent or at a low level. The pumice soils of the central North Island are a good example, being very low in selenium, which is not essential for plants, but essential for animals.  In any case there is an ongoing loss of essential nutrients from the soil due to the removal of crops and animal products for export, or for local consumption.  These nutrients leave New Zealand either as exports by sea or air, or as human waste, which finds its way to the ocean either directly or via the river systems.  In any case there is a direct loss of N,  P & K, along with the other minor and trace elements that plants and animals require to thrive.   These must be replaced, and only nitrogen can be replaced locally via nitrogen fixing plants (legumes).  Thus, the concept of a sustainable agriculture is simply not possible, unless the essential minerals that we export are not replaced.  Thus regenerative agriculture and organic agriculture are simply not sustainable in the long term.

Horticulture is trending more and more towards protected cropping, possibly due to the risks enhanced by global warming, but also because of the increasing demand for high quality products without defects.

I can recall during the 1st international conference on organic greenhouse horticulture, held in the Netherlands in 2010, (Anon 2011) that during one of the field visits we learnt that in order to keep productivity profitable that an organic greenhouse grower with a 1 ha greenhouse operation on 10 ha of land applied all of his organic nitrogen for the 10 ha to the greenhouse because intensive greenhouse cropping requires considerably more nutrient inputs than field cropping to be profitable.   

NB. EU regulations limit nitrogen applications to 170 kg/ha of N per year to reduce nitrogen leaching with the intention of reducing nitrates reaching the river systems, because of the potential health risk from nitrates in drinking water.  

There is little doubt that hydroponic greenhouse systems are much more efficient in nutrient (and water) use than soil-based systems.   The quantity of leaching can be controlled, or even virtually eliminated by using a recirculating hydroponic system.  With our concern for diminishing water resources, and pollution of rivers by nitrogen and phosphorous an ever-increasing problem concerned environmentalists should be promoting the use of hydroponics for crop production rather than reverting to soil-based systems for intensive horticulture. 

Long term I predict that organic crop production will divide into two distinct sectors, intensive greenhouse crops, which will be hydroponic, and broad acre outdoor crops which will be soil based.  The one common factor will be that neither system will use synthetic agricultural chemicals and rely entirely on the biological control of pathogens.

References

Anon (2011)  “Proceedings of the first international conference on organic greenhouse horticulture”  Acta Hort., 115, 190 pp.  Editors M Dorais & S D Bishop.

K. Atkin & M. A. Nichols (2004) “Organic Hydroponics”.  Acta Hort, 648, 121-127.

 

Article written and supplied by Dr Mike Nichols 

If you would like to get in touch with Dr Nichols send me your details to stefan@grower2grower.co.nz and I will pass them on.

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment on the grower2grower Facebook page:

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Categories
Energy

Energy is at a tipping point

Growers are being squeezed

Opinion:

 

The high attendance at the two recent energy workshops, organised by Tomatoes NZ and Vegetables NZ, is an indication of how serious energy concerns are for growers.  Basically, the decision many growers face is to either change their energy source or predominantly grow summer crops. It is the largest threat I can remember, in the past thirty years, and in that time, we have had some huge setbacks including large biosecurity breaches.  The increase in Emission Trading Scheme tax (ETS), the future banning of low temperature coal boilers and no new gas exploration is not only putting real pressure on our national electricity networks but is going to hit small and large growers to the point of no return unless someone listens, and fast.  The electricity network still has the ability of importing millions of tonnes of coal and spreading those cost onto the team of five million but for greenhouse vegetable growers this is not the case.  

If New Zealand growers are unable to produce food at a competitive price, especially during the winter, then there will be only one winner, the Australian greenhouse growers.   Even though the carbon footprint will be much greater importing produce this is the most likely outcome.

The Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund (GIDI), which has been set up to help businesses change from fossil fuels to renewables is commendable. However, it will not help every business, as the maximum co-funding is 50%, this still leaves a huge capital investment to pay back with medium to long term Return on Investments.  The fortunate businesses, that can leverage funding, will prosper and could even have a competitive advantage, and for the less fortunate growers just be thankful the benefit has increased.  There are other funds to help smaller growers, but this alone won’t help every grower that models their business on using low-medium water temperature to grow healthy, fresh, locally grown vegetables in our winter.  One interesting question that was asked is ‘does the ETS tax that has been paid by industry, reflect in the amount of co-funding that has been made available by government in this decarbonisation fund?  This is highly debatable.

A fantastic presentation was made, regarding the Dutch greenhouse horticulture industry, and their move to reducing the reliance on gas and transition to renewables.  The big difference is that in the Netherlands the government has heavily subsidised investment, into renewable energy, for the greenhouse sector.  The Dutch have been able to use these subsidies to drill up to 4000 m deep for geothermal energy – a cost no single greenhouse grower could pay without government backing. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is doing a superb job, with the funds they have been allocated, but their amazing efforts can only carry on if they are allocated a huge funding injection.

It is great that as a country we are looking to move from fossil fuels to renewable energy, I do not have a problem with the concept.  What I am extremely concerned with is we are trying to put the roof on the house before the foundations have been completed.

Growers can change, they will adapt – but they can’t just pick up their greenhouse and move to a known geothermal location, that has lots of spare labour handy, and be able to invest in new properties.   This year we are protected from the debacle, which is the major shipping disruptions currently occurring, but this won’t always be the case and if everything is back to pre-covid levels in 2022 then growers could be at a tipping point. 

Growers may turn back the clock and use recycled oil. The conversion costs are relatively low compared to starting from new.  The ongoing issue if this occurs will be the supply and demand which will then ultimately effect growers currently using this energy source.  

 

Article written and compiled by Stefan Vogrincic

All Article’s checked and edited by Marie Vogrincic

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment on the grower2grower Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/StefanGrower2grower/

 

 

Categories
Equipment

The machine assisted courgette harvester

Interesting concept

 

This week I came across an especially useful machine – the field picking courgette harvester.  This machine straddles the rows of courgettes, a person sits (in a comfortable position) either side of the row harvesting the produce.  The courgettes are then placed onto a conveyer which feeds them up and into a hopper.  The way in which the hopper is emptied does seem a bit harsh on the fruit.  However, with some modifications I could see this type of machine working in both the field and plastic tunnel houses growing courgettes.

As New Zealand is reducing lower paid migrant worker visas and has a reluctance to expand on the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) RSE scheme, the only way forward is to become super-efficient, reduce reliance on staff that is either not available or not willing to do this type of work, which to be fair picking courgettes can be back breaking. This type of machine will not only reduce the labour units required but simply get the product harvested, and to market, without it being wasted.   It will also be a more pleasurable experience for the people harvesting it, as it will reduce stress on their backs from the constant bending over while picking and ultimately increase productivity – a win-win for all.

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment on the grower2grower Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/StefanGrower2grower/

 

Discover the Bagioni Technology machines. Video below

 

Different options for the cultivation of courgettes

The harvesting of courgettes can be easier made with the help of electric machines. The operator is essential, but with this equipment, fatigue is reduced and yields are increased.

The video shows the proper functioning of a machine suitable for different types of courgettes usually cultivated in Italy, with plants that are rather tall and that have to be driven over.

The image below, instead, shows a different type of cultivation in Switzerland, where there are different types of courgettes.

For more information: 
Bagioni Alfiero Snc 
Via Bologna 100
47121 Forlì – Italy
+39 0543 703993
bagioni.aurenzo@libero.it
www.asparagus.it  

Article Source https://www.hortidaily.com/article/9322421/different-options-for-the-cultivation-of-courgettes/

Categories
Technical

Cucumbers – Didymella on the rise

Late Autumn and issues already arising

 

With the constant rain, warm weather and rise in humidity I have noticed an increase of Didymella, Gummy Stem Blight and powdery mildew.  It is almost the perfect storm. Growers, who are prepared as they can be, may still experience issues. 

Prevention is better than cure, so I do advise preventative spraying. The use of heating systems and delicate irrigation strategies, to reduce the amount of moisture in your greenhouse, is the most important tool and you should be prepared to react to the conditions.  Remove any unwanted leaf area.

 

Heating:

Maintain a minimum pipe.  Even though ambient night-time temperatures are in some areas (my local area), as high as fifteen degrees, it is important to reduce moisture in the environment, I would maintain a minimum pipe and use a heat and vent strategy this week. ‘Heat and vent’ may be considered as wasting energy, but sometimes, and with the tools in your arsenal you just need to consider the consequence of not using this strategy, which in this case is a major fungal outbreak.    Not many growers have screens, this does make it slightly more difficult as you could, if it were not raining, be more aggressive with the screening and venting in the night period.  There does seem to be some cooler weather on the way and you will require your heating on then so why not now. If you have turned your heaters off, because of the warm nights, then be prepared to spray, spray, spray. If I was growing, I would be more than happy to run at least a 35–40-degree minimum pipe.  I would make sure I had a tight maximum pipe level of 45 degrees (unless the nights get cooler), including a maximum on my venting or the appropriate P band if your system allows. 

If you have Gummy stem blight, Didymella or brown mould, remove excessive moisture to reduce the spread of these types of issues that can and do substantially reduce a crops overall yield.

 

Irrigation:

Reducing cycles and adjusting start and stop times is very important.  Reduce water content, but as cucumbers are a delicate plant you must be careful not to reduce dramatically, only reduce by small percentages, keep an eye on the root systems and react accordingly.  Some properties suffer with high sodium levels and have to reduce sodium in the substrates.  If this a requirement, then drive the high sodium levels out early in the day not in the afternoon.

This is what I want to see from a root system, if you see any trace of staining on the roots then act swiftly.  Check water content, EC and PH in and out.  Ask yourself if your start and stop times need adjusting.

 

Spraying:

Spray your preventatives, it is important, combined with the other recommendations, to stay on top of funguses, heating alone will not always be sufficient.

 

Physical:

De-leaf any unwanted leaf matter and especially any sink material.   If the weather is amenable then try to do this ASAP.  

Cut leaves put them in the middle of your rows and sweep up.  This is a good example of how to create good air movement and keep the lower area of the plants clear of unwanted sink leaf material.

 

You could reduce Didymella or grey mould effecting your fruit by removing the flower from the end of the cucumber once it has formed.  It may be too time consuming but on the flip side if you are struggling it may be worth the extra spend on labour.

 

Article written and compiled by Stefan Vogrincic

All Article’s checked and edited by Marie Vogrincic

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment on the grower2grower Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/StefanGrower2grower/

Categories
Consumables/Hygiene Greenhouse News

Be careful who you let into your glasshouse to prevent cross contamination

Small things matter

 

Hygiene is of the upmost importance however, good hygiene protocols come with a price tag.   Currently, the tomato and cucumber industry are enduring a tough period.  Terribly low returns, for tomato growers, have been ongoing since labour weekend 2020.  For all growers, the ever-increasing costs associated with wage, energy and consumables is forcing businesses to cut back to save every cent – even hygiene measures. 

 

Foot baths and gloves:

Some growing operations may view strict hygiene protocols as a luxury not necessarily a necessity, but with this comes an associated risk.  There are some exceedingly small things I believe businesses can do that would give them greater protection from different bacteria’s or viruses.  This may be something as simple as having foot baths at entry and exit points.  Footwear is an obvious way of introducing nasties into your greenhouse.   Make sure that staff constantly change gloves, up to three to four times a day if necessary. Have a cleaning solution available so that your gloves can be sterilised between plants.  This is probably unachievable but if the message is consistent then dipping hands/gloves becomes routine.   Knifes and pruning equipment should be frequently dipped into a cleaning solution.  These are simply basic routine activities.

 

Clothing:

Clothing is a major risk to spreading virus.  Many companies, especially in Holland, have strict protocols for clothing, including staff uniforms that must be changed into on arrival to work and then changed out of before leaving.  The uniforms are then all washed in accordance with hygiene protocols to kill certain viruses.   This is not common practice in New Zealand, but these measures will reduce staff spreading unwanted viruses that could cripple crops.   It is difficult to work in our hot weather conditions with protective suits over the top of clothes staff come to work in so by having a uniform provided and cleaned offers both the staff and the business owners the best form of protection.  For small growers they need to stress to their staff the importance of wearing clean clothes to work and how important it is not to wear their work clothing in their garden for example. 

 

Crates:

As mentioned last week, but worth driving the message home – KEEP SEPARATE picking crates and crates used for sending product to the market. 

 

Pallets:

NEVER let pallets enter your greenhouse unless they are dedicated to the greenhouse.

 

Contractors: 

Contactors provide a great service for peak short-term workloads; they also are the biggest threat to spreading disease.  Constant dialogue with contractors is required to reduce this threat.

 

Service and supplier workers:

STOP signs to restrict the movement on your property of technical service people, truck drivers delivering supplies and even advisors, like myself.  Restriction of people carrying goods is crucial to minimise the risk of spreading viruses.  This does mean asking your suppliers not to come into your greenhouses or to close to storage areas when unloading. 

 

Grower contact:

Growers will enter stores together, converse and even though there is only a small chance it is best to avoid contact if you have clothes or have footwear on that has been in and out of a glasshouse.

 

Sometimes you don’t have to spend much to prevent issues arising, you just need some basic policies in place and to make sure you keep the dialogue flowing with staff and others you deal with directly involved with your business. 

For suppliers that read this article, please consider your movements and the impact on your customers.  If a disease was accidentally introduced the financial loss to growers could be severe as well your own business.  We are all in this together and must help each other with what is quite simply zero cost polices.

 

 

 

Article written and compiled by Stefan Vogrincic

All Article’s checked and edited by Marie Vogrincic

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment on the grower2grower Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/StefanGrower2grower/

Categories
Seeds

Lefroy Valley announce inclusion of BASF Range

Exciting new cucumber range

 

Lefroy Valley NZ represents the cream of the world’s vegetable seed breeding companies and is pleased to announce the inclusion of the BASF (Nunhems) range to the already highly regarded portfolio.

At Lefroy we are a small but dedicated team, whose aim is to support our customers as partners in business by providing a wide range of proven vegetable varieties complimented by great service.

The Lefroy Valley team is very excited to be able to offer the whole range of Cucumbers for indoor production.

 

TARAY Telegraph Cucumber is providing high yields for Spring, Summer and Autumn production.  Taray consistently supplies dark green shiny fruit with an average fruit size between 30-35cm. Due to Taray’s high vigour it is also a reliable variety for winter production with many growers using it all year round. HR: CVYV; Px; Cca, Ccu. IR: CYSDV (pic 1)

(pic 1)

 

ILLUSION Telegraph Cucumber is suited to Autumn/Winter/Spring production. Well shaped with minimal neck, Illusion produces high quality 32-34 cm long fruit. Shows good tolerance to Fusarium. IR: Px; CYSDV. (pic 2)

(pic 2)

 

EQUILIBRATO Short Green Cucumber produces dark green cylindrical shaped fruit. Growers have been impressed with its ability for continuously high fruit set providing a much higher production capacity over other varieties on the market.  IR: CMV, CVYV, Px (pic 3)

(pic 3)

 

Lefroy have it covered for Lebanese Cucumber

EQLIPSE is a winter variety with high yield and consistent fruit quality.  It is a vigorous but open plant with fertile determinant laterals. EQlipse has very good regeneration during transition from winter to spring.   IR: CMV; Px (pic 4)

(pic 4)

 

New* SEEGREEN is a multi fruited short cucumber variety which provides fantastic production in late spring, summer and early autumn. It is highly resistant to CYSDV and has dark green leaves providing fruit around 16-18cm with limited abortion. IR: CVYV; Px (pic 5)

 

(pic 5)

 

If you are growing Cucumbers then please give Lefroy a call as we are sure to have something for you.

 

Paula O’Hanlon  (mob: 021 731 009) and Janine Grul (mob: 0274 438 024) are keen to hear from you regarding your covered cropping requirements.

 

 

Paula O’Hanlon

Technical Sales Representative

Mobile: +64 21731009

Phone +64 (9) 238 3593

E mail: paulao@lefroyvalley.co.nz

www.lefroyvalley.co.nz

 

Categories
Greenhouse News

Cannabis Industry 2021:

Cannabis Industry 2021: An overview by Cultivators

Published on 06/05/2021

The cannabis market is flourishing with many opportunities. At the same time the cannabis industry is surrounded by stigma, misconceptions, and unanswered questions. However, in the past years Cultivators has seen positive movement towards a clear cannabis landscape. Cultivators created years ago a market segmentation and is delighted to see that it that has been adopted by leading industry professionals.

Cannabis is a highly versatile crop, finding its way in multiple industries. Our model acknowledges the following cannabis segments:

  1. Industrial hemp
  2. Daily care / Wellness products
  3. Recreational / adult use
  4. Medicinal cannabis production
  5. Pharmaceutical application

This model represents the segmentation of the cannabis market in its most basic form, therefore easily understandable at a glance. For the sake of providing a basic overview this is a simplification of the complex reality. Next to this, the cannabis industry is continuously developing.

The starting point: CBD and THC

The most widely acknowledged cannabinoid components of cannabis are CBD and THC. In order to understand of cannabis basic understanding of these components is necessary:

  1. THC – The psychoactive substance of cannabis used for recreative purposes
  2. CBD – The component known as a panacea for a wide range of conditions

These compounds can mainly be found in the flower of the crop. However, the cannabis plant also has multiple uses as a fibre, with no focus on the forementioned compounds. For each of the defined segments a description will be provided.

 

Industrial hemp (very limited THC and varying focus on CBD) :

Industrial hemp is a field grown cultivar of cannabis that is predominately cultivated for its fibre E.g. ropes, textiles, food, paper, bioplastics, insulation and even biofuel. Industrial hemp normally contains very low THC levels (<0,2%) due to legal limitations. Hemp was one of the first crops traditionally being cultivated for its strong fibrous properties used as textile fibre. It has a long history and is gaining renewed interest because of its features.

Features of hemp fibre:

  1. Very strong fibre material
  2. Easy cultivation with limited crop work
  3. Positive impact on CO2 reduction
  4. Sustainable production with no / very limited use of pesticides

For the valorisation of the hemp plant in some cases the flower is being separately harvested to the compounds such as CBD. Important note is that allowance depends on the local legislation.

 

Daily care/ Wellness / Health (containing CBD, very low content of THC):

Daily care products containing cannabis compounds can be found in many stores in different countries. These products contain very low levels of THC (<0,2% or lower) due to legal limitations; CBD levels can be up to 20%. The legal framework on CBD is often ambiguous. The majority of these products can be found in the wellness segment.

The wellness products range from consumables such as CBD oils and capsules to cosmetic creams, gels and even shampoo containing cannabis compounds. In stores products can be found with a cannabis leaf or CBD written on it. In principle they are legally limited to make any health claims. For consumables the question is what  type of legislation is applicable; especially those containing CBD. Regardless a large range of products can be found online and on the shelves.

 

Features of daily care products:

  1. An expanding market with wide range & an increasing number of products
  2. Cannabis derivates ranging from plant material to cannabinoids (mainly CBD)
  3. Cannabis compounds coming from field and/or indoor production
  4. Claimed beneficial use by consumers; no medical claims allowed
  5. Unclear regulatory landscape / landscape under development

Recreational / Adult use (containing high levels of THC, limited CBD):

Even though the recreational market of cannabis is illegal in most countries the market is evidently present. Recreational cannabis focusses predominantly on the psychoactive effects of THC; in most cases classified as a narcotic drug. In recent years Uruguay, Canada and various States in the United States have fully legalized recreational cannabis and more countries are to follow.

The legalization of cannabis is opening up investments and development in new products in this area. Methods of consuming cannabis are changing to new products such as edibles, extracts, vapours and drinkables. They are becoming increasingly more popular as opposed to the traditional way of consuming cannabis, smoking the flower. As a result cigarette and beverage companies are investing in cannabis companies and products. Also other companies are eyeing on the legalisation of this leisure market.

Features of recreational products:

  1. Existing illegal market with, traditionally, a strong focus on smokables
  2. Cannabis use and content focussed on psychoactive substance THC
  3. Cannabis content coming from, mainly, indoor production
  4. Multiple countries are looking into legalizing recreational cannabis

Medicinal (containing mix of cannabinoids):

Medicinal cannabis cultivation and use are both regulated in medicinal cannabis programmes of national governments. Medicinal cannabis is cultivated for its’ therapeutic and medical uses. Medicinal cannabis predominantly contains high CBD levels, however other compounds including THC and CBG are being used. The regulatory framework is defined by national governments and laid-out in medicinal cannabis programs. Governments enable the production and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes under (strict) conditions.

Ongoing research is taking place researching the (beneficial) effects of cannabis for treating ailments such as; spasms, seizures, nausea and nerve diseases. Pending national legislation, companies can apply for licenses to cultivate medicinal cannabis.

Features of medicinal cannabis products:

  1. Already legalized in multiple countries and more countries are following with medicinal cannabis programs
  2. Cannabis use and content is focussed on the compounds in the flower
  3. Cannabis used for patients to treat various illnesses, discomfort and pain relief
  4. Cultivated and produced in a controlled environment to meet quality requirements

Pharma (containing mix of cannabinoids):

Manufactured cannabis product that has surpassed all stages of clinical trials in order to be categorized as pharmaceutical product. In this case the cannabis content is used as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) for a medicine. Various cannabinoids of cannabis are being used for the development of API’s and medicines.

Features of pharmaceutical cannabis:

  1. Only limited number of pharmaceutical cannabis products on the market
  2. Pharmaceutical cannabis surpassed all stages of clinical trials (multiple years)
  3. Cultivation of cannabis under high pharmaceutical, quality standards under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
  4. Acknowledged as medicine, not as cannabis product

The learnings:

  1. The segmentation shows us the following learnings on the cannabis industry:
  2. Cannabis is way more than just ‘smoking weed’
  3. Cannabis is a multiple use and multiple purpose crop applicable in many industries
  4. Cannabis cultivation and production has to meet different legal & quality criteria
  5. Cannabis regulatory landscape is under continuous development and complex
  6. Cultivation of cannabis should be planned keeping the final product in mind
  7. The market opportunity of cannabis is a multi-billion euro industry

The provided segmentation is shared to aid basic insights and understanding of the cannabis industry.

 

Source https://www.cultivators.nl/cannabis-industry-2021-an-overview-by-cultivators/

Article republished with the approval from Cultivators

 

Categories
Greenhouse News Technical

Plant losses due to whitefly or poor root health

Terrible whitefly infestation wreaks havoc

 

Whitefly continues to wreak-havoc.  Recently I visited a crop surrounded by outdoor solanaceous crops.  It is not the fault of the outdoor grower’s; they did not build a glasshouse in the middle of an outdoor cropping zone.  Neither is it the fault of the greenhouse growers – it is the risk associated with building next to other horticulture activities.  However, this is an industry wide issue for all crops affected by whitefly.

The cucumber crop was infested with a vast amount of whitefly, of which I have never seen before in such a short space of time.  The grower had done everything possible, using all the correct procedures and techniques available, yet due to the number, millions if not billions, of whitefly pressure, from neighbouring properties, was losing plants at a rate of knots.  Sooty mould was engulfing large amounts of leaf area and seemingly healthy plants were literally shrivelling up and dying.  On inspection of the root systems, it was not apparent this was from a ‘long-term’ root issue. (see fig 2 roots were showing some browning and ill effects) On further inspection of the entire greenhouse where there were areas with less whitefly infestation, it was abundantly clear there were far less plants dying.  A question I asked myself was – was the barrage of whitefly weakening the plant, inviting a root infection, or the other way around?

The non-scientific conclusion I have come to is that plants hit hardest by the whitefly had a higher mortality rate.  It may well be the plant’s natural defence systems were simply unable to cope with the damage the whitefly had done.  My advice is to still go ahead with a laboratory root analysis, to establish exactly what root pathogen the grower was dealing with.

A root system from a plant that had recently wilted and died

 

Insects such as whitefly, thrips, psyllids, aphids and mites are a constant threat and exceedingly difficult to control when an outbreak occurs.  Greenhouse growers are at the mercy of surrounding activities.  I believe it is essential to keep working on solutions that do not involve chemical or spraying solutions.  IPM is not enough, in some cases, for greenhouse growers that are subject to other growing activities on their doorsteps.   Insect proofing greenhouse’s is not an option for many growers as the change to the growing environment may well be counterproductive, especially with the percentage most greenhouse rooves can ventilate.  Most greenhouse roof vents allow for 20-30% of the total surface area to be opened, the figure for adequate climate control may be over 50% for different areas in the country.  Retrofitting a greenhouse with insect netting is not an easy task.   If alternative solutions are not forthcoming in the future, growers may have no choice but to look seriously at the feasibility of building with insect proof netting of some description.

 

Plants in whitefly hot spots were dying more than in areas that had less whitefly pressure

 

(Cover) Dead whitefly litter the leaf surface

 

Article written and compiled by Stefan Vogrincic

All Article’s checked and edited by Marie Vogrincic

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