Categories
Lighting

Company Profile Pure LED

Horticulture Lighting:

 

Horticultural lighting is one of the fastest growing markets in the LED lighting industry today. The dynamics behind this growth is based on horticultural lighting’s ability to improve crop yields. Artificial illumination of indoor environments allows for extended growing seasons, or even year-round crop production.

LED grow lights for the horticultural industry have the intensity and colour spectrum required to stimulate plant growth. The most critical difference between horticultural LED systems and traditional lighting is that LED grow lights make it possible for the grower to control the spectral distribution. This has a great influence on both crop quality and production methods.

 

Benefits:

Due to the unique controllability, LED grow light systems have a number of advantages that will enable you to grow your business through increased yields.

 

  1. Fine-tune the spectral distribution:  The optimal spectral distribution and light intensity depends on your specific culture. Thus, it is impossible for lights with a fixed spectrum to correspond with the needs of all cultures and different crops. As opposed to traditional fixtures like HPS, LED fixtures allow you to customise and adjust the spectral distribution specifically to benefit your crop – both now and in the future.
  2. Upscale or convert production: Should you choose to upscale your production facilities, add new cultures to your crop, or completely convert your production, replacing your cultures, LED grow lights are easily adapted to the new conditions. In other words, the controllability of LED fixtures makes the system able to change and grow with your business when needed.
  3. Lower energy costs: Traditional light fixtures create excess heat and are not energy efficient. This is usually associated with significant expenses. Because LED lights produce the exact amount and type of light that your crop requires, less energy is wasted. In other words, you only pay for the light you actually need.
  4. Increase product quality: Take control of your crops size, stretch, colour or even taste. Being able to adjust light composition enables you to improve product quality in ways that are simply impossible with traditional lights. Additionally, using LED lighting means you can reduce the amount of chemicals needed in production. 

Pure LED has partnered up with experienced and reputed manufacturers in the horticulture lighting industry so that they can offer New Zealand growers affordable, economical and effective lighting solutions.  With a large range of horticulture products, we can custom design lighting plans that consider the type of growing facility, the amount of light required and the spectrum to suit different stages of plant development.

 

 

 

About Pure LED Lighting:

 

Pure LED established in 2013, has become one of the most trusted brand for all LED lighting in New Zealand in residential, commercial, industrial and horticultural areas.  100% New Zealand owned and operated, the company is based in Taupo and operates nationwide through all the major electrical wholesalers.

Pure LED’s advanced energy management solutions save between 45% to 85% energy through controlled lighting and air conditioned. Our power supplies for horticultural LED lighting aim to minimise power consumption, installation expense and the cost of cooling the facilities. We offer a range of high power options, scaling from single conduction/IP-rated LED drivers up to large distributed external systems ideal for vertical farms and large warehouse grow centres.

Pure LED also plays a key role in installing Building Management systems for commercial applications.

 

Recent Awards:

Pure LED was recognised as one of the fastest 50 growing companies in New Zealand by Deloitte/BNZ for 2019. Pure LED also won a Highly Commendable award for Business Service Excellency by the Taupo Business Chamber for 2019.

 

Community Contribution:

 

Pure LED shares a strong sense of community spirit. Pure LED recently supported BBM Motivation, a charity organisation that supports thousands of people in their quests to for health, by supplying and installing LED lighting at their Auckland health centre.

Investing in your Future Made Easy:

Pure LED has a finance options which could involve no capital outlay and the installation pays for itself through increased profitability. The team at Pure LED would love the opportunity to visit your facility and make some recommendations to suit your requirements.

 

Contact details:

Ph: 07 394 6112

Email: sales@pureled.co.nz

Website: https://pureled.nz/led-horticulture-lighting/

 

 

Cover photo of General Manager Daniel Deere and Office Manager Kimberly Woelke from Pure LED

 

Categories
Shading

ReduFuse and Strawberries

 

“ReduFuse makes it possible to produce summer strawberries in the greenhouse”

Kwekerij Loos, is a front-runner when it comes to the sustainable year-round production of strawberries. The nursery has three hectares of greenhouses that are heated with waste heat. Last year, for the first time, it achieved a summer crop under glass. This was made possible by having the diffuse coating, ReduFuse, on the roof. “The mild climate is pleasant for the plants,” says Arno Loos.

The nursery belonging to Arno and Sandra Loos of Moerstraten, the Netherlands, grows a unique combination of crops. As well as 3 hectare of strawberries (2.1 ha with artificial lighting, 0.9 ha without) the growers have 6 ha of heated asparagus. Everything is aimed at conserving energy and producing in the most optimal way. The nursery is also a joint owner of a bio-gas plant, that supplies heat to the greenhouses and the asparagus and electricity for the assimilation lighting.

Last year Loos decided to grow a new everbearing strawberry variety, Triumph, in order to make better use of the greenhouse. “Usually the greenhouse was empty from the beginning of June to mid-August. That, of course, is a pity. It’s usually too warm in the greenhouse during the summer for strawberries, resulting in small fruits and far too little yield. By using ReduFuse we felt we could try a summer crop,” he says.

Mild climate:

In April a contractor sprayed a standard application of ReduFuse onto the roof. For the summer crop of Triumph, Loos planted seven strawberry plants per m2, a little less than usual. Loos: “The haze was about 70% and you noticed that immediately when you entered the greenhouse. Thanks to the diffuse light there were no more shadows. It’s also somewhat cooler. It is a pleasant climate so the plants have it a bit easier at the start of the day; there’s less stress and transpiration. Rooting also went well. We could keep the windows closed for a reasonably long time, which meant we lost less CO2. That is of course beneficial for us, because we buy in liquid CO2, as well as for the environment.”

“Triumph is a new variety for us and we didn’t have any experience with a summer cop in the greenhouse so we didn’t have anything to compare it with. We didn’t implement any specific climate control measures and I’m very pleased with how it’s gone. Triumph grows easily and the crop remained well balanced under ReduFuse. We didn’t have any problems with mildew. The fruits were a good size and we could pick every three to four days.”

Optimise:

“We will certainly continue to use ReduFuse on the greenhouse in which we grow Triumph,” concludes Loos. “After that we will optimise production further. Mardenkro is giving us some guidance. This year for example, they will help us carry out leaf temperature measurements so that we can learn more about the effects of diffuse light.”

“We haven’t decided yet whether or not we will apply ReduFuse to the other greenhouses. I can also see it having benefits because in August it can be very warm. But it’s just for a short period if you remove it again in September. In any case, I’m convinced that the young plants benefit from diffuse light.”

 

For more information click on the link below or go to your local Horticentre store for more information:

https://www.redusystems.com/en/references/ReduFuse-and-strawberries/

https://www.redusystems.com/en/

 

Categories
Technical

CHRISTMAS CHERRIES Update 2019

 

By Dr Mike Nichols

In 2017 I organised for Alan & Dot Bissett (of the Wee Red Barn, near Masterton, New Zealand)  to purchase some 200 cherry trees, which had been grown in root restricting bags in a greenhouse in North Otago.  These “mature” trees were dully freighted up to Masterton, and planted in  August in four  Haygrove tunnels.  Incredibly they produced just over about 4 kg per tree of ripe cherries just before Christmas. 

Last year (2018), after what is best described as a low/no pruning strategy I visited the property on 13 December.  It was raining, but no problems as the Haygrove tunnels kept the fruit dry, (so no splitting), and the tunnels supported nets which prevented birds (at least most of them) from damaging the fruit. We estimated that the yield would be in the region of 10kg/tree, which at pre-Christmas cherry prices would provide a very nice income—particularly as all the fruits could be harvested from the ground with no need for ladders. 

In the spring of 2017 the Bissett’s purchased a number of modern varieties of cherries from McGrath’s Nursery in Cambridge.   These had been recently grafted onto the semi-dwarfing Colt rootstock, and on arrival were immediately planted into 20 litre bags filled with coir, and grown hydroponically in a tunnel house.  By Christmas the growth was tremendous (see photo).  The plants were planted in the soil in a tunnel house the following winter, and trained along wires using the UHF system, which involves training two shoots parallel to the ground along the row and then letting the new shoots grow upright from this basic structure.  This means that the rows may be as little as 2-3 m apart, and the plants in the row may be 5 or more metres apart.  The shoots which grow from the two main structural shoots are the pruned in a renewal system, so that the older shoots ae continually being replaced with new shoots, and therefore the fruiting spurs are always young and vigorous. In the winter of 2019 it was clear that these very young tress would produce a small crop that season, as many fruiting spurs were apparent on the young trees. (see photo).

The next move is to examine the potential of using the very dwarfing cherry root stock developed in Switzerland.  There ae two lines of Gisella available in New Zealand   (Gisella 5 and Gisella 12), and these will be used to graft some cherry scions later this season. 

All of this poses some really good questions about cherry production on New Zealand, which for a long time has been a high risk crop because of problems of unseasonable rain and damage from birds.  

There is little doubt that the success of New Zealand’s cherry exports is very dependent on the combination of Chinese New Year and the fact that Central Otago fruit matures at the same time.  The only other cherry production countries in the southern hemisphere (Chile, South Africa, & mainland Australia), all mature earlier, and only Tasmania is a potential competitor. 

However there is a real risk that Central Otago may have climatic problems in the future.  Global warming is a reality, and one of the major components of global warming is that weather (including rainfall) patterns will change.  Rain at the wrong time (close to harvest) can decimate a sweet cherry crop.

With the global warming risk, it is difficult to justify the emphasis on producing rain sensitive fruit in traditionally low rainfall areas, when there is so much uncertainty with future weather patterns.  Perhaps it is time to consider rain-proofing such crops?

This then poses the question of whether we actually need to use the dryer parts of Central Otago for such crops, or whether the Waitaki Valley, or Maniototo, or even   McKenzie Country might provide a similar climate with much lower land costs?  $ 200,000/ha  has been quoted as the cost of establishing cherries in Central Otago, and high plastic tunnels only cost about $100,000.ha.

Has anyone tried producing early cherries in the Waikato? I imagine that away from the coast that there would be sufficient winter chilling.   With half of New Zealand living north of Taupo, the demand for early cherries would be excellent, and growing in netted tunnels would significantly reduce the risk of  split fruit due to rain or losses due to bird damage.

 

Article supplied by Dr M A Nichols

Email:  m.nichols@massey.ac.nz

Photos supplied by Dr M Nichols

Categories
Greenhouse News

Merry Christmas from Grower2Grower

 

10,000 new users in 2019

The festive season is upon us and the new year is just around the corner.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Grower2Grower readers.  Grower2Grower e-magazine has grown by over 10,000 new users this year with New Zealand viewers increasing by 5300 to take our total of NZ viewers to over 7700 in less than two years.

 Marie and I have worked on and posted over 110 articles in 2019. This achievement would not happen without the support of our amazing growers and advertisers that supply trusted products and services to this industry.  We pride ourselves on delivering content that benefits New Zealand’s protected cropping industry.

 

2019 Achievements:

110 + Articles

3 Grower2Grower Breakfasts

1 Berry workshop

Representing and promoting the greenhouse industry at NZ Fieldays

Attending NZ Horticulture Conference

Attending Australia’s PCA (Protected Cropping Australia) conference

Soilless Australia magazine publications

International e-magazine Hortdaily publications

 

Special thanks to the BNZ for supplying the venue for the Grower2Grower breakfasts and inviting me to represent greenhouse horticulture at Fieldays.   Thank you also to the Horticentre Trust for financial support of the Berry workshop.

 

Thanks to all our long-standing advertisers as well as the ones who have come on board this year. Your support makes it possible to visit growers, research topics and write articles.

 

2019 Grower2Grower Banner Advertisers:

BNZ

Ecomix

Educhem

Gellert Nurseries

Aquasan

ReduSystems

Premier Seeds

SPS

Zonda

Extrutec

Apex Greenhouses

Nunhems

Bumper Crop

 

And finally…… we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2020!

 

Marie and Stefan

Categories
Irrigation/Substrates

Improved YaraLiva Calcinit

Gives your crops the little extra

Yara have introduced YaraLiva Calcinit available at all Horticentre stores. 

Last week I was sent information below regarding Yara’s new YaraLiva Calcinit.  Nutrition is a huge part of producing positive outcomes. If improved products increase positive outcomes for growers I am more than happy to promote them via the Grower2Grower website.  Yara are a trusted brand that have served growers well for a very long time.

For more information on the product please contact your local NZ distributor.  Contact details at the end of the factsheet below:

 

 

 

 

Information supplied by Wally van de Westerlo.  Horticentre are distributors of Yara products.

 

Wally van de Westerlo

Regional Manager Auckland South.
Covered Crops Procurement & Projects

Packaging and Imports

Horticentre Limited | 10 Firth Street, Drury | PO Box 547, Drury 2247

M: 027 654 5991 | P:09 294 8453 Ext 1  | F:09 294 7272  | E:wally.vandewesterlo@horticentre.co.nz

0800 855 255 | www.horticentre.co.nz

 

Categories
Equipment Technical

Update on Near-infrared technology – Student Jeremy Aditya Prananto

 

“Exciting results in our project that warrants optimism”

 

It has been three months since the first article was posted in regards to the work Jeremy Aditya Prananto has been researching on near-infrared technology for monitoring crop health conditions.  I approached Jeremy for an update; below is some of the intriguing preliminary findings.

Three months have passed since I presented my preliminary findings, at the Protected Cropping Australia (PCA) conference in Gold Coast, I have finally finished my honours project. Following up on the article released (news/post/student-jeremy-aditya-prananto-presentation-captured-my-attention–pca-/ ) in the Grower2Grower edition 14, we have found some exciting results in our project that warrants optimism.

The projects aims to use a handheld near infrared (NIR) sensor as a rapid and real-time plant nutrient analysis for a more efficient crop nutrient management. We collected a large number of cotton leaf samples, from various regions around Narrabri, NSW. We took the leaf samples to the lab and then scanned them with the NIR sensor. We also sent the samples to the laboratory for conventional analysis to validate our results. We then built models to accurately estimate macro- and micronutrients in plant leaf tissues just from leaf NIR signature.

The NIR sensor can estimate plant macronutrients accurately: total Nitrogen (accuracy of 94%), Phosphorous (76%), Potassium (76%), Calcium (91%), Magnesium (80%), and Sulphur (89%). Additionally, our models are also able to estimate essential micronutrients successfully, which includes iron (accuracy of 70%), Manganese (75%), Copper (65%), Molybdenum (73%), Boron (64%), and Sodium (76%).

We are able to attribute the high prediction accuracy for macronutrients in particular N, P, and S as they mostly exist as organic compounds in leaf tissues. NIR sensor is particularly sensitive to the chemical bonds that make up organic compounds e.g., proteins.

The observed vs predicted plot of the models on the validation dataset which shows the prediction accuracy of the model. The R2 shows the accuracy, RMSE shows the error of the model, and the Bias shows if there is any over or under prediction in the model. All the parameters show a very accurate model despite being a validation.

 

Micronutrients and other macronutrients such as Ca, Mg, and K exist mostly as inorganic compounds that cannot be directly detected through NIR.  However, these nutrients can still be well estimated as they are highly correlated to other organic compounds.

As macronutrients have higher concentration in the leaves, they can be estimated very accurately. Meanwhile, micronutrients that have lower concentrations would be more challenging to estimate. Nevertheless, overall we are still able to estimate most micronutrients for practical applications.   

Our findings show that the handheld NIR sensor can be used to accurately predict the nutrient status of fresh leaves. This ability to rapidly acquire nutrient status information from the crops can potentially be used as a tool for a more efficient fertiliser application, where the application rate can be continuously adjusted based on the crop’s nutrient status which is a good indicator of the crops fertiliser requirement.

Future studies are required to establish a protocol that would take advantage the full potential of this technology. Automation of this technology in the glasshouse is the next step, where it will be linked to micro-decisions on fertiliser application rate.

 

The handheld NIR in action scanning fresh leaves in glasshouse.

 

Above Jeremy with his poster during the USYD undergraduate SOWwFI conference on the 13 Nov 2019.

 

 

Appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment below or on the grower2grower Facebook page:

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

Article content supplied by Jeremy Aditya Prananto

Article Edited by Marie Vogrincic, Editor, Grower2Grower

Categories
Irrigation/Substrates Technical

Lowering EC using your ramp

 

Aid efficient uptake of water and nutrient

 

We have been treated with the most amazing weather conditions for the best part of November.  I have witnessed the stress, this has placed, on several cucumber plantings.  Mature tomato plantings may also find this weather challenging to maintain fruit quality/setting. 

Maintaining EC (electrical conductivity or CF conductivity factor) control is important for fruit quality.  If EC is too high, it is harder for plants to uptake their refreshment, which is great for generative growth but not so good for maintaining fruit quality (example, Blossom End Rot, BER in tomatoes). If EC is too low it is good for vegetative growth but perhaps not quite so good for maintaining fruit quality (soft fruit, splitting and tasteless water balloons).  The most important factor is balance, achieving balance at this time is a challenge.  Plants grow quickly, so decisions need to be made decisively.

A relatively easy option is to use computer setpoints during very clear days to lower EC on light intensity.  This ensures the correct amount of nourishment, during the most stressful time of the day, is still applied.  EC automatically reduces, so uptake of the refreshment is easy for the plant, therefore reducing the stress.  I prefer this option than simply having more irrigation cycles.  In fact, extra irrigation cycles may end up drowning your plants with kindness.  These are all hard lessons I have learnt growing myself. When I was a young grower, I did over irrigate during good weather conditions, especially when I changed from a free draining pumice substrate to my first experience growing with stone wool.  Experience is invaluable, I learnt that sometimes less is more.

Reducing EC using a ramp:   Set recommended EC setpoint then let the EC gradually ramp down on increases in light intensity (so not all at once).  The total percentage reduction of EC is related to the light intensity, the more intense the light the further the reduction.  What minimum EC levels achieved should be is subject to the variety and recommendations.  This is not a perfect science yet.  EC you wish to maintain in the substrate and or runoff is another factor. 

This is tricky but if you are able to reduce stress and maintain fruit quality the chance of producing consistently is very achievable.  For a long crop growing through the summer it has possibly ‘aged’ a bit faster than has been expected.  Decisions you make for long crops currently are important because they have a bearing on Autumn production.  If it was easy everyone would do it!!

 

 

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

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

Article Written and compiled by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Article Edited by Marie Vogrincic, Editor, Grower2Grower

Categories
Technical

Grafted Cucumbers part 4

 

Two weeks before heads out

The trial of grafted cucumbers I’ve been monitoring has been both intriguing and very positive.

The Shintoza rootstock, provided by Premier seeds, has come through with flying colours, no visible or obvious plant losses due to Pythium.  The collar of the plant, close to the base of the block, has no cracks which often happens with cucumber stems.  This may have prevented infection from entering a sensitive part of the stem.  The root disease or lack of any root issues is extremely positive.

Comparing grafted plants to un-grafted plants is the main purpose to help identify potential positive outcomes.  The un-grafted did have some small amounts of Pythium.  The largest difference is easily identified in the Leaf Area Index (LAI).  The un-grafted plants have a bigger leaf surface, larger fruit as a consequence. The grafted plant had smaller leaf panels (LAI) and the fruit size was smaller on average.  The grafted plant started picking one week earlier and over the duration of the crop the un-grafted has produced strongly.

FACTORS:

Grafted plants were in essence more generative.  This might have to do with both grafted and un-grafted on the same irrigation valve.  If the grafted plants had a higher water uptake/need then it is possible, they never quite had enough replenishment.  The second issue was the LAI, when you walked through the rows of grafted plants it just appeared far too open.  It would have been good to have increased stem density to compensate (by approximate one third).  Considering the naturally increasing light and temperature, an increase in stem density would be my thinking. 

THE KEY: 

The only way to fully test my theory is to have an entire irrigation valve growing grafted plants.  The water content and EC may vary slightly each day from grafted and un-grafted, therefore it is difficult to make a final conclusion.  To be honest it needs its own house, but this is not always an option with a trial.

CONCLULSION:

I am still very excited with the opportunity to monitor and understand what positive outcomes these grafted plants could present, so far they have not disappointed.   The plants are uniform, consistent in growth, root disease is minimal to non-existent.  In the next trial I will be encouraging to increase the stem density to both increase the LAI and to increase production.  I want to test the potential of the grafted plant.  The grafted plant must have a financial gain for growers, to pay for the extra cost of seed and grafting (although there will be a saving in root health products required).  Understanding the best way to irrigate, and manage the plant, will be the key to convince growers to change to grafting over the traditional non-grafted.   Tomato growers initially used grafted plants because it gave certainty over the longevity of the crop, an un-grafted crop, that had no root health issues, could still yield high production but the risk element drastically reduces with grafting.  The same may be said with cucumbers, except we still have to figure out growing and watering strategies which should provide large increases in yield. 

 

 

Premier Seeds Ltd is the distributor of Shintoza Rootstock:  Contact Imke Blackett from Premier seeds: imke.blackett@premierseeds.co.nz or phone 027 2444 611

Shintoza is a plant with very strong root system, with high resistance to soil-borne diseases and good compatibility with different watermelon, cucumber and melon varieties.

 

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

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

Article Written and compiled by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Article Edited by Marie Vogrincic, Editor, Grower2Grower

Categories
Greenhouse News

Grower profile – Reupena and Eseta Kovati

Tam Yam Gardens

 

Reupena and Eseta Kovati grow tomato and snow peas, they are based in Glenbrook, South Auckland.  They have been growing tomatoes since 1985.  Reupena is originally from Samoa where he was raised.  He first came to New Zealand in 1974 and worked as at an apprentice at Zealandia Nurseries before returning to Samoa to work for the government’s agriculture department.  After a few years he decided there was more opportunity in New Zealand, so returned and started work at Rainbow Park Nurseries in South Auckland.   

In 1983 Reupena met Eseta, by the following year they were married and growing chrysanthemums and carnations on the lawn at the house they rented.  Both Reupena and Eseta have come from horticulture families so it was no surprise growing would become their careers.  In 1985 the pair leased their first 800 m2 greenhouse in Mangere where they started growing tomatoes.  Reupena said it was either flowers or vegetables but thought at the time growing tomatoes posed less risk compared to growing flowers.  The pair quickly purchased land in Kingseat that they soon resold to purchase a more suitable property for a greenhouse in Glenbrook in 1988, where they are still growing and reside currently.

An 800 m2 plastic, Faber greenhouse was constructed on the site and tomatoes were planted.  At the same time a packing shed and bore were put in.  Reupena, Eseta and their 4 children then lived in the packing shed until 1996 until a house was built on the property.  Eseta said “you do what you can with what you have got”.  Over the years of hard toil, the pair decided to build a new 1500 m2 Faber (now Apex) greenhouse on the site.  This greenhouse is used for growing tomatoes from October to June.  The plastic house is still used to grow snow peas from late March until November.  They also grow beans.

The couple decided years ago not to compete with large, loose, round tomatoes and decided to grow specialty types.  They have been growing Roma-type tomatoes in the glasshouse, which are very sought after by their customers.  For the past 8 seasons they have been growing snow peas in the smaller plastic house. The decision to grow snow peas followed a truck accident which left Reupena with a broken leg.

The snow peas are spray free, in fact spraying is kept to an absolute minimum on this property.  There is risk associated with this strategy, even as recently as last year, the crop of tomatoes was cut short due to psyllid yellow damage.

The couple love growing, you can see that in the way they grow and tend to their crops. However, like so many growers, they are becoming frustrated with what seems to be a never-ending list of new compliances to meet in order to grow fruit and vegetables.   Reupena feels that it is becoming increasingly harder for smaller businesses to stay profitable, he hopes the government will provide incentives for small businesses. 

Eseta and Reupena are close to retiring from growing, they hope in the near future to return to Samoa to set up a small protected growing operation where they can help teach growers how to use hydroponic systems and supply crops there to a higher standard.

Reupena and Eseta have four children, which they have raised on the family block in Glenbrook, they have worked tirelessly, wanting for nothing but to provide for their family.   Reupena said to me “you reap what you sow” when I asked him about the hard work the pair have put in to get to this point.  They are typical of the many New Zealand growers I meet.   It was a pleasure to interview two long standing, devoted people to the industry.

 

 

A picture of the snow peas.  I had some of these and trust me, taste AMAZING!

. 

The Roma- type tomatoes are flowering at the fourth truss so should be available before Christmas for their customers.

 

Cover photo above.

 

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

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

Article Written and compiled by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Article Edited by Marie Vogrincic, Editor, Grower2Grower

 

Categories
Greenhouse News

Berry Workshop presentation: Marco van den Berg

Nutrition Product Category Manager, Horticentre Group

 

At last month’s Berry Workshop, in Pukekohe, the 60 strong audience were treated to an informative presentation from the Horticentre Groups Nutrition Product Category Manager, Marco van den Berg.

 

As growers we generally have a good grasp of the detrimental effects high levels of sodium may have on your growing outcomes but what is just as important is the issues high bicarbonate levels can cause.  Marco based part of his presentation on why high bicarbonate levels may be detrimental to crop production outcomes.

 

  1. Bicarbonate is not taken in by the plant but can have a negative result for the crop
  2. Water can have a high concentration of bicarbonate
  3. There can be an increase of hydroxide OH-
  4. CO2 + OH- will become bicarbonate HCO3-
  5. In a substrate, with a good pH-buffer, the increase of bicarbonate can be minimised or non-existent
  6. When there is bicarbonate in the root zone, the pH will be difficult to adjust
  7. Some substrates have a low pH buffering capacity (coco/bark)
  8. Bicarbonate can react with Calcium and Magnesium and form Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and Magnesium carbonate (MgCO3)
  9. These compounds will block your drippers etc

 

 

 

PH

PH levels in the substrate are important and when there is bicarbonate in the root zone, the pH will be difficult to adjust

 

  1. The plant itself has the biggest effect on pH!
  2. If a plant takes up NO3- then the plant needs to release a hydroxide (OH-) ion.
  3. With vegetative growth the NO3- uptake will be high. This results in a pH increase.
  4. If a plant takes up a K+ then the plant needs to release a hydrogen H+ ion.
  5. With a generative growth there will be more K+ uptake. This results in a pH decrease.
  6. As there will be constant CO2 produced by the roots, and if there is an unbalanced anion uptake, the development of bicarbonate will occur.
  7. pH above 6 (if caused by bicarbonate) of the fertigation waters, will also result in blocked drippers.

 

Sodium and Chloride:

Marco points out that ‘growing dry’ (growing with little runoff so not to have a wet substrate) is a good option for berries and makes the points below on Sodium and chloride in his presentation: As many berry crops are grown using coco it is important to choose a substrate with low sodium, that can hold a good water percentage and have a water source with low or no sodium/chloride.  In other words, if they are the opposite and need lots of runoff to control these detrimental elements to optimum plant growth you may end up with wet feet (drowning roots) which lead to other complications and damage/loss of production.

 

  1. To minimize the leaching of Nitrate into the environment, recycling can be one of the options.
  2. Another possibility is to lower the water input to a level that you get a minimum amount of drain – in other words growing “dry”.
  3. As Blueberry react badly to a wet substrate, fertigation with a low drain is an option. For this, a substrate is needed that can hold enough water and is uniform for a long time.
  4. The fertigation equipment should also be uniform (e.g. compensated drippers).
  5. Although Blueberries does not have a big sodium uptake, there would be a limit to growing “dry” as Na and Cl can give damage and this will happen faster when you grow “dry”.

 

Special thanks to Marco for his wonderful, technical presentation.  This is the type of information and education growers want to help with improving their outcomes.  Even a basic understanding will help you recognise when is time to call in an expert like Marco to change your fertilizer recipes and solve any potential issues. 

This was just a snapshot of Marco’s presentation, to learn more or to find out how to use Marco’s services please contact:

 

Marco van den Berg
Horticentre Group Nutrition Product Category Manager

HortFertplus Business Manager

 

 

HortFertplus Limited | 18 Cabernet Crescent, Massey, Waitakere 0614 | PO Box 79034, Royal Heights, Waitakere 0656

M: 027 772 0025 | P: 09 832 1400  | E: marco.vandenberg@hortfert.co.nz

Horticentre Limited | 18 Cabernet Crescent, Massey, Waitakere 0614 | PO Box 79034, Royal Heights, Waitakere 0656
M: 027 772 0025 | P: 09 832 1400  | E: marco.vandenberg@horticentre.co.nz
0800 855 255 | www.horticentre.co.nz

 

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Article Written and compiled by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Article Edited by Marie Vogrincic, Editor, Grower2Grower