At this moment, everybody in the world is under the spell of the coronavirus outbreak which has already caused many casualties and economic damage. An invisible enemy is disturbing daily life all over the globe and everybody is making every effort to control this pandemic. However, viruses are a part of human and plant history.
We have recently seen an increase in virus pressure driven by rising global temperatures and population growth. The global human population is expected to increase from approximately 6.5 billion in 2008 to approximately 9.2 billion by 2050 (UNDP 2008). Another driver of the virus outbreak is the greater concentration of the population is urban communities. The spread of viruses is also unprecedented due to the increase in intercontinental traffic.
We have also witnessed these different parameters in the horticulture in the last 10 years. The upscaling and consolidation of greenhouses has made the sector more susceptible to outbreaks and the rapid transmission and spread of diseases.
A good example is the outbreak of the ToBRFv virus. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a Tobamovirus that was first observed in 2014 and 2015 on tomato plants in Israel and Jordan causing discolorations and deformation of leaves and fruits. Since the first description, different countries are infected.
In Holland it was first diagnosed in 2018 and since then caused a big economic loss for the tomato growers. At the fruit production site, strict hygiene measures are applied including restricting access, disinfection or replacement of clothing, machines, equipment, surfaces and packaging material.
This is the same strategy that we are now using the combat the corona virus. Also with the ToBRFv virus you have to test constantly to verify that you hygiene strategy is working and that there is an absence of the virus in the crop.
"One lesson that is learned is that a good biosecurity plan is essential."
The idea that you can end this problem once and for all is an illusion. At Intrahorti we are constantly busy with developing effective biocides and cleaning agents that reduce the infection pressure and help the grower.
By Carly Vulders - Director R&D
In collaboration with one of our horti partners: Mertens, we will contribute in the online Mertens Knowledge Event this Thursday. A day full of knowledge, trends and deep dives in the horticultural sector. Claudia Weick tells you all the ins and outs regarding green house hygiene and biosecurity. Interested? Register for free. Webinar is Dutch-spoken.
Intracare is developing fast, which is fantastic. Our Intrahorti team is expanding continuously with new products, innovations and also people. Let’s meet Rick. We’ve welcomed our colleague Rick Oudendijk in the beginning of 2021. In his role as Sales Manager, Rick has become a familiar face for our partners worldwide, Let’s have a chat.
The cultivation round is completed, time for a thorough cleaning and on to a new round of cultivation. Use of the right agents, to be sure of effective cleaning and disinfection is essential. Each application often requires a different agent. However, with Intra Hydro pure you get a multifunctional agent for all neccesary applications.
Intra Hydro pure is a widely used and well-known cleaner and disinfectant for the drip lines during cultivation, but is also particularly suitable during the crop rotation. In addition, there are many more possibilities with this user- and environmental friendly product. Let’s sum up all possibilities:
Intrahorti underlines its role as pioneer in future proof growing. In Bloomberg's 50 Global Leaders we, together with Behn Meyer Group, explain how we contribute to a pesticide-free future with Intra Eco Shield. Claudia Weick explains our vision on plant-based crop protection.
Oxygen is essential for a healthy plant development. Although plants generate oxygen as a by-product during photosynthesis, they require oxygen for energy production during the night.
Also the roots of a plant require oxygen for a proper development and bacteria in the rhizosphere use oxygen to transfer nitrogen into plant-available nitrate and ammonia. In the soil, roots obtain their oxygen from air that is present in pockets between the soil particles, but in hydroponic systems oxygen levels may rapidly drop below the required level of 8 mg/l
There are many ways to deal with diseases in the greenhouse, but by ensuring proper hygiene, you can prevent a lot of misery as well. Technical Sales & Product Manager Claudia Weick and Sales Manager Rick Oudendijk of Intrahorti joined in this morning on Paprika Tasty Radio to discuss this important topic live.
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