Empower your plants! Learn from the partners best practices.
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED!
We are pleased to invite you for our breakfast knowledge session during GreenTech 2019!
Jointly organized by the GPE (Growing by Plant Empowerment) partners Hoogendoorn Growth Management, Hortilux Schréder, Koppert Biological Systems, LetsGrow.com, Ludvig Svensson and Saint-Gobain Cultilene on June 11th and 12th. We will tell you all and share our knowledge about our worldwide experiences and lessons learned by applying the principles of Growing by Plant Empowerment. This will help you to improve your personal ‘limiting factor’ in order to get to the next level of crop growth optimization.
The session starts at 8.30 AM with a breakfast and ends at 11.45 AM. Registerhere.
Date: 11 or 12th of June 2019 Location: Amsterdam RAI, room: F005 (F-entrance)
Program
8.30 hrs Welcome guests & breakfast
9.00 hrs Introduction to basic principles of growing by Plant Empowerment
By one of the authors of the book
9.30 hrs How to control crop transpiration? You will learn more on how growers can control or support the plants water uptake in different ways.
By Remy Maat | Saint-Gobain Cultilene and Réne Beerkens | Hoogendoorn Growth Management
10.00 hrs Optimal pollination and plant resilience using climate screens We will zoom in on the Energy Balance. By understanding this balance we can explain some issues with pollination and plant health.
By Mark van der Werf | Koppert Biological Systems and Ton Habraken | Ludvig Svensson
10.30 hrs Coffee break
10.45 hrs Presentation about the possibilities of using the right grow light data in greenhouses to improve the light use efficiency.
By Hans de Vries | Hortilux Schréder and Peter Reijm | LetsGrow.com
11.15 hrs Forum discussion
11.45 hrs End of session
What you will learn?
Backgrounds, basic principles and applications of Plant Empowerment.
How to irrigate based on the plant needs with supplementary lighting or diffuse climate screens?
How to attain control over humidity and light transmission with efficient screening?
What are the latest innovations in the area of screening and automation?
How do we make best use of the control potential of the substrate?
How to have a more active plant climate at no cost?
How to achieve a more homogenous climate in your greenhouse?
How to reduce disease pressure by preventing crop condensation?
What is the impact of the assimilates balance on crop health?
How to monitor and improve the Light Use Efficiency of your crop?
How to obtain a more resilient crop?
Note: Please be aware of the fact that there are limited seats available, first come, first serve basis. The knowledge sessions are free of charge and we will present in English.
We are looking forward to meet you at the breakfast session during GreenTech or
at the Cultilene booth in hall 10, number 105. Registerhere.
More information about the speakers:
Experts in the field of climate control and plant physiology
Founders of Next Generation Growing
Authors of the book Plant Empowerment, the basic principles
Jan Voogt, Peter van Weel, Peter Geelen | www.plantempowerment.com
Hoogendoorn Growth Management | René Beerkens, Greenhouse climate consultant & trainer As a greenhouse grower’s son, it is no surprise that René Beerkens has a passion for Horticulture. René joined Hoogendoorn in 2000 to combine his interest for Information Technology and horticulture as a consultant and trainer with a focus on data driven growing. His daily job is to help growers around the world to optimize their greenhouse climate, irrigation and energy controls. This is done by digitizing growers experience based on ‘green thumb’ feelings into strategically chosen digital set points on the Hoogendoorn climate controls.
Saint-Gobain Cultilene | Remy Maat, Manager Application Remy’s career in horticulture began at a large seed company where, after completing his studies at the Delft Agricultural College (Agrarische Hogeschool Delft) he started out as a sales representative for glasshouse crops. A few years later he shifted focus and switched from a sales function to an advisory and research role. From that moment on it was the crop itself that became more central for Remy. In its early stages his research concentrated on new breeds, but over recent years he has focused within his position at Saint-Gobain Cultilene on substrate and an advisory role in this area. His challenge lies in assisting growers to get the maximum from their substrate. By combining the knowledge of Cultilene with the basic principles of Plant Empowerment, Remy believes that real progress is being made world wide: crops can be kept better under control and efficiency gains can be made in terms of the consumption of water and fertilizers.
Koppert Biological Systems | Mark van der Werf, Consultant Natugro Born and raised on a farm so since a kid contaminated with the “green fingers”. Studied at the University of Horticulture in Den Bosch and after that grown cucumbers and (snack) tomatoes for almost 20 years. During this period focused more and more on new growing developments: The Next Generation Growing, plant juice analyses for stearing fertilization and dosing microorganisms and bio stimulants for a stronger and healthier (more resilient) crop. Since 2016 switched to crop consulting (also for Koppert) to help growers worldwide to make their crop more resilient. This new way of growing will eventually lead to a more sustainable way of producing food.
Ludvig Svensson B.V. | Ton Habraken, Greenhouse Climate Consultant Being born in a horticultural family in the Netherlands, I have been active in Horticulture my whole life. I am working for Svensson as a greenhouse climate consultant, offering customized advice to growers, horticultural consultants, climate screen installers and greenhouse builders, to achieve the most favorable and sustainable growth conditions in greenhouses all over the world!
Hortilux Schréder B.V. | Hans de Vries, Consultant Grow Light Performance Born and raised in Rijnsburg, world famous for the flower bulbs and RoyalFloraHolland, Hans was surrounded by and interested in agri- and horticulture from an early age. No wonder he would join Hortilux eventually in 2016. Starting out as account manager, he soon specialized in indoor farming and LED technology. After two years, it was clear that Hans’ expertise was perfectly suited for the role of Consultant Grow Light Performance. He now advises growers on the optimal use of their grow light system, combined with Hortilux’s digital data platform HortiSense.
LetsGrow.com | Peter Reijm, Data Analyst Grew up as son of a grower. The affinity with horticulture made him decide to start studying Plant Sciences at Wageningen University (specialization Greenhouse Horticulture). During his Master’s, Peter joined LetsGrow.com as intern. After graduating in 2017 Peter continued his work at LetsGrow as Data Analyst. His daily job is to combine knowledge on crop physiology and greenhouse technology with data analysis. Helping growers to translate all the collected data in useful information and develop data-driven growing solutions including AI technologies such as deep learning.
The water content of the substrate provides the reservoir of the water and nutrients for the plant. Changing the water content is a usefull tool in controlling the plant balance and also maintaining root heath (How to change the water content).
In the Season Dynamics for each crop we suggest target levels for the water content for each of the critical periods. This is done for specific reasons in each period:
in long periods of low light levels it is better to run a lower water content as the plant is less active. This makes the slab more reactive and dry back faster to allow more oxgen into the slab and also give a generative action;
in high light levels with high transpiration levels it is best to run a higher water content to give more buffer for the higher water use by the plant. This also gives more safety in case of a breakdown.
The range of water contents used would be from 45% to 70%. The volume of substrate used is also a key factor (How much substrate do I use?)
Measure you slab in an organised way using a WET meter and set target water content objectives for the different periods.
“To control this water buffer to realize the potential of the slab in controlling the plant balance.”
EC
The distribution of the water and nutrients in substrate is important to get even root distribution. Good nutrient availability for the roots is vital to get optimal quality and yield. Changing the EC is also a usefull tool in controlling the plant balance (How do I control my slab EC?).
In the Season Dynamics for each crop we suggest target levels for the EC for each of the critical periods. This is done for specific reasons in each period:
in long periods of low light levels it is better to run a higher EC to steer the plant in a generative way;
in high light levels with high transpiration levels it is best to run a lower EC to help uptake for transpiration.
Sometimes like with cucumbers for example a high uptake of nutrients in a low volume of substrate can cause low levels of some nutrients so irrigation is necessary to replace these. The volume of substrate used is a key factor (How much substrate do I use?).
Measure your slab in an organised way using a WET meter and set target EC objectives for the different periods.
“To control the EC to realize the potential of the slab in controlling the plant balance.”
pH
The ability of the plant to take up the nutrients it requires is affected by the pH of the nutrient solution. This means that it is very important to have the correct pH around the root sytem. The picture below shows the uptake of different elements at different pH levels.
The optimal pH for most plants is between 5.5 and 6.5 and this should be the target level. The pH in slabs can change because of selective root uptake. When NH4 is transported into the roots, the pH will drop. When NO3 is transported into the roots, pH will rise. Also NH4 and NO3 can be used by micro organisms, that will also influence the pH in the substrate. The change of concentration of the fertilizers NH4 and NO3 can influence the pH in the substrate.
So it is important that the pH of the source water is corrected to the right pH at the irrigation rig. Take care:
if the bicarbonate levels are very low (no buffer) in the source water it may be necessary to add bicarbonate to give some buffer;
with low bicarbonate levels it may be necessary to dilute the acid used for pH correction to avoid a sudden decrease in pH to below 5.0;
with amonium also with low bicarbonate levels which can cause a sudden decrease in the pH.
Always check the pH of the source water in the storage tank, at the irrigation rig and at the dripper. pH levels of below 5.0 will damage the roots. Remember the plant gets the water that is coming out of the dripper so that has to be right!
Oxygen
All parts of the plant need oxygen, leaves, stems and roots. In the slab, roots need oxygen for cell respiration. When there is enough oxygen at the roots, the root system can function optimally.
Oxygen is also used by micro organisms, fungi and bacteria. In stonewool mainly bacteria, which are present in large numbers a few hours after wetting up the stonewool. When there are circumstances with low oxygen levels, the micro organisms can compete with the roots for the use of oxygen.
Oxygen supply in the substrate is important for good plant growth. In the practice of growing plants, this means that the water content of the wettest part (bottom layer of substrate) need refreshment and air. When there is 80% water content at the bottom layer of a slab, the air canals make sure that oxygen can get to the water and plant roots (diffusion). At high temperatures (32 oC), less oxygen can solve in water, and roots at the most wet parts of the substrate can have problems with to lower oxygen levels in the irrigation water.
“To control the O2 to realize the potential of the slab.”
Temperature
The temperature of the root zone is not always measured or controllable. It is however very important and root temperatures should be kept between 18 oC and 25 oC.
As the temperature of the root zone increase the availabily of oxygen from the irrigation water decreases. At root temperatures of over 25 oC especially if root distribution is poor this combined with competition between roots can lead to root death. This opens up the possibility of secondary infection by root pathogens such as Pythium.
Measurement is knowledge so measure to know what is happening with the slab temperature.
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