Innovative production systems News from hydroponical trials - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Symposium Innovative production systems News from hydroponical trials September 25 th 2019 Matthijs Blind, researcher Proeftuin Zwaagdijk (matthijsblind@proeftuinzwaagdijk.nl , +31 (0) 6 30 81 58 11)

Contents:  Deep water culture (DWC) chrysanthemums  Hydroponics various cut flowers  Interreg project Hy4Dense  Deep water culture with high concentrations sodium (and chloride) (Project Achteroever)

Chrysanthemum (cut flower), DWC o 2015-2017: 13 successful crop cycles (also in summer) o 2018/2019: start new project in chrysanthemums and other cut flowers with financial support of: o Landelijke gewascommissie chrysant/ChrIP o Stimuflori o STOWA o LTO Noord Fondsen

Most important results/conclusion up to now:  Potential higher yields than in soil  % loss/infections minimal  Several crop cycles on same nutrient solution without disinfection are possible (emission almost 0)  Reuse of nutrient solution seems to be better than new nutrient solution  Roots of chrysanthemums seem to be very sensitive to oxidative substances (disinfection), observed while using van chloride.

 Avoid use of PVC (softening agents, stabilizers)  Adding ammonium to nutrient solution  positive effect on yield (weight)  Period before start of short day treatment (rooting + long days) strongly determines final result  Production without any substrate is possible

Focus now:  Improving rooting and development during long-day-period, prevention of chlorosis  Up to now mainly variety ‘Bacardi’, later ‘Pina Colada’  to compare with crop at close by traditional grower  Recent variety trial: ‘Pina Colada’ and ‘Bacardi’ (a bit less) are sensitive for chlorosis  Relation with nutrition not (yet) proved

 Pythium (?): roots visual healthy, use of fungicides do not prevent chlorosis  Relation with light/radiation (intensity/DLI?), stress?  Reducing radiation/light or change to short day period  leaf colour improves rapidly  Trial: extra screen  leaf colour improves  Production system possibly more sensitive as result of reflection? (better: we again have to learn how to grow)

Soon:  Test prototype in float integrated crop support  Further development substrate-less production  Program of requirements  design of new floats  Design of required company structure for large scale production

Other cut flowers o Screening o 2020: Selection 2 or 3 most promising crops o DWC/DFT but possibly also other alternative/innovative growing systems o Tulip hydro trays (promising results former trials)

Tests using sowing trays Tulip hydro trays with inline fertigation Promising up to now:  Matthiola  Antirrhinum  Delphinium (from seed)  Alchemilla  Brassica….

 Ammi  Tanacetum (Matricaria)  Lisianthus

Most promising crops: Trial with both a used and a new nutrient solution

Interreg 2 Hy4Dense • Development of production system (hydroponics) for spinach, lambs lettuce and (wild) rocket • Start 2019 • Inagro (Belgium) • Howest (Belgium) • NIAB (UK) • University of Essex • Proeftuin Zwaagdijk

DWC of various crucifers on water with a high sodium (and chloride) concentration Part of project Achteroever Wieringermeer (NL) (use of regions with water storage – fresh/salty water - for food production). Commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat (Ministry) with financial support of EFRO and the Province of North-Holland, in close cooperation with Zilt Proefbedrijf/Salt Farm Texel

Region with salinization IJsselmeer Analysis Calculated Surface water composition parameter unit 25-06-19 after fertilizing 6.9 EC mS/cm 9.5 pH <0.1 0 NH 4 -N mmol/l 1,0 8.5 K mmol/l 47.9 47.9 Na mmol/l 6.7 8.5 Ca mmol/l Mg mmol/l 4.2 4.2 NO 3 -N mmol/l <0.1 9.1 Cl mmol/l 59.8 59.8 0.9 0.9 S mmol/l <0.04 2 P mmol/l <0.2 40 Fe µmol/l <0.1 10 Mn µmol/l <0.1 8 Zn µmol/l Trial basins 15 50 B µmol/l <0.1 1.5 Cu µmol/l Mo µmol/l 0.1 1.5 HCO3 mmol/l 0.2 0.2

Indicative trial: White cabbage : 4 varieties Cauliflower : 4 varieties Kohlrabi : 3 varieties Borecole : 1 variety Broccoli : 1 variety Swiss Chard : 1 variety Rape kale : 1 variety marrowstem kale : 1 variety Planting: June 28 th , rape kale July 8 th , merrowstem kale 27 July 27 th

All types and varieties developed a harvestable product

Remarkable differences in leaf colour (nutritional deficiencies?) between kohlrabi varieties

Current (demonstration) trials DWC • Greenhouse 34: chrysanthemums (effect pH and float colour on leaf colour, variety trial) (explanation: Matthijs Blind, +31 (0)6-30815811) • Greenhouse 23: Screening various cut flowers like Lisianthus, Antirrhinum, Brassica, Ammi and Campanula on DWC/DFT (and Lisianthus on Tulip hydro trays) (explanation: Matthijs Blind) • Demonstration various crops on DWC lettuce in a tunnel (explanation Jan Botman, Botman Hydroponics, +31 (0)6-38900656) • Lettuce trials outdoor (Interreg Bio4Safe): effects of biostimulants on uptake of nutrients under suboptimal conditions (nutritional stress) (explanation: Matthijs Blind, +31 (0)6-30815811)

Tunnel Lettuce hydroponics (Bio4Safe) Trial Fields Green- Green- house 34 house 23 reception ENTRANCE reception terrace restaurant restaurant Toilets wardrobe Toilets Symposiums Symposiums

Thank you for your attention!