“ It is n’t just about your substratum or production methods ; it ’s about how it travels through your system , ” says Bill Riffey , the general manager of grower operations at OASIS ® Grower Solutions for the Americas , Europe and Africa . Joined by OASIS ’ global enquiry manager , Dr. Vijay Rapaka , Bill spoke about the importance of opt the correct substrate and substrate configuration to make the good use of production space .
Speaking namely about the production of leafy commons , Bill and Dr. Rapaka describe how a 30 - day crop rhythm is split between time in the multiplication arena and in the production expanse . By appropriately size the propagation area and handle the time spent in each geographical zone , agriculturist can increase the figure of cycle per twelvemonth .
untried plant trays of Lettuce ‘ Rex ’ grown in Horticubes ® AeroMax . Growth 7 twenty-four hours after seeding276 cell computerized axial tomography . 162 cell ct . 104 jail cell ct . 50 cell ct .
“ If you reduce the meter in the propagation area , you see the proportionate increment of time in the production surface area , which is an inefficient use of space and more expensive to keep . A lot of this follow back to the substratum form , as high-pitched - tightness sheets can not remain in the propagation area for long , ” explain Bill .
OASIS Grower Solutions offer multiple substrate configurations ranging from 50 - to-276 - cellular telephone flat solid ( 10x20x1.5 ” ) , with the higher mobile phone numbers having a smaller substrate bulk per seedling . As such , the seedling outgrow the substrate much quicker than in a less obtuse bed sheet .
“ At low seeding density , depending on growing conditions , plants can remain in the extension area for 18 days whereas at the highest concentration , only 12 days and then transplanted into the production field for 18 days , ” explains Bill .
new plant trays of Lettuce ‘ Rex ’ acquire in Horticubes AeroMax . ontogeny 12 - 18 days after seeding
276 cell ct./12 days , 162 cell ct./14 Day , 104 jail cell ct./16 day , 50 cell ct./18 days
Appropriate substratum configuration helps optimize labor , meliorate plant healthAs Dr. Rapaka explicate , choosing the appropriate substratum configuration and choose for enceinte cell allow agriculturist to optimise labor movement cost by reducing the need to re - space seedlings . This also translate into fewer trace and less risk of crop damage . Further , seedling in larger substrates can be kept in the propagation area longer , mean that substantial and more mature plant are transplant into the production expanse . This reduces transplanting shock , keeping the plants more vigorous and see to it a smooth conversion into the product area .
“ With growing media , the tendency is to go with the high-pitched compactness potential to reduce costs per straightforward m , ” says Dr. Rapaka . “ But what is missed in the equation is if you reduce the grow time during the generation period , you have the symmetrical increase of meter in the production area . ”
Finished plants of Lettuce ‘ Rex ’ start in Horticubes ® AeroMax and transfer into an NFT system . Growth 30 days after seeding
276 cell ct . 162 cell ct . 104 cellphone computerized tomography . 50 cellular phone ct .
While heavy ( i.e. , lower density ) substratum sheets are somewhat more expensive than the high-pitched - density sheets , Dr. Rapaka and Bill explain that being able to keep plant life in the extension area longer can cut the time need in the yield area by two days , finally add up up to an additional rotation in the glasshouse .
“ Let ’s say a cultivator clear 100,000 euro per crop revolution . If you could get one extra turn , it would add another 100,000 euros to their bottom line of descent . And if they deal their lettuce for 1 euro and the large substrate cost 1 Eurocent more , it is worthwhile , ” says Bill .
For more entropy : Bill Riffey , General Manager , Grower OperationsDr . Vijay Rapaka , Global Research ManagerOASIS Grower Solutionswww.oasisgrowersolutions.com
© FloralDaily.com/Rebekka Boekhout
