Its aim as always, is to provide propagators from around the world with a unique opportunity to catch up on the latest technological developments within the industry and to strengthen global networks.
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Assessing the suitability of bio-based plastics for propagation substrate foils,
Maurice Donners, Grodan
In order to ensure safe plant development according to Precision Growing principles, plastic sleeves are used to protect the outside of propagation blocks. Grodan is working on sustainable alternatives to the fossil-based plastics currently used in this application. This talk introduced our work in this area and provided insights you to our work in this area and provide insight into why we believe a bio-based compostable sleeve is the best solution from both a performance and sustainability perspective.
Can photosynthesis efficiency sensors, when used in propagation, prevent blind tomato plants?
Bert van Tol, Sendot
A Photosynthesis Efficiency sensor is an invaluable tool to optimize growth strategies. Especially when such a sensor can be used in process. Applications in Phalaenopsis growth has proven that not only control of plant quality can be achieved but such sensors can also be used to save energy. More and more applications of this tool prove its added value, to get insight in the plant. In propagation a photosynthesis efficiency sensor can be used to optimize watering and lighting strategy. Recent experiences showed that controlling lighting strategy for tomato propagation reduced the number of blind tomatoes.
A to Z of tomato breeding the Axia Way
Cees Kortekaas, Axia Vegetable Seeds
In this presentation, Cees shared a story for Axia seeds company. Cees presented their process of acquiring and selecting parental lines for breeding, in the Netherlands. Furthermore, he highlighted their core values, production methods, and quality control procedures that ensure the genetic purity and viability of their seeds. The importance of seed disinfection was also discussed, along with their testing protocols.
Keep your water healthy
Werner van Mullekom, AgroZone
Horticulture knows that there are a number of different factors that can make the difference between success and failure. One of those factors is water. This you can divide in the water quantity and quality. The water quantity depends on the geographical position, how much you use and reuse. The water quality also depends on the geographical position and how you treat the water. Agrozone has a mission to keep your water as healthy as possible so your crop is as healthy as possible. Werner in his presentation will illustrate how they achieve this.
In vitro propagation of strawberry using stone wool based Vi-tray’s
Suzane Pols, Viscon
At Viscon, they focus on developing automation that will help growers thrive. Their current focus is specifically on streamlining and automating certain micropropagation techniques which has been heavily neglected in the past. As a part of this focus, they have developed a new in vitro rooting technique for strawberry cuttings, where they combine a unique rooting tray, known as the ViTray, with stone wool blocks to create efficiently rooted and strong young plants that are guaranteed to survive the transfer to and acclimation in the greenhouse. Additionally, they are investigating the use of Machine Learning and automated digital phenotyping of the young plants rooted in the stone wool trays, to help growers track the performance of these plants and make accurate harvest predictions for their upcoming season.
Detecting plant disease in propagation
Ines van Marrewijk, Groen Agro Control
In this presentation, Ines will discuss the methos of analysis and choosing the right one to order. She will provide an overview of all possible techniques on ToBRFV virus, QuickTest, Elisa, Rt-PCR to Sequencing. Furthermore, she will explain the significance of testing plants and seeds to ensure disease-free delivery, covering issues such as Fusarium in pepper, Pythium and other viruses. Additionally, she will describe the testing of water for human pathogens, including E.coli as a test-parameter for clean water, and the assessment of germ count limited to extended micro’s, on virus and on ‘’living’’ virus.
The effect of water quality on the growth young plants
Ines van Marrewijk, Groen Agro Control
In this presentation, various aspects related to water quality will be discussed. The environmental influences and sources of water pollution will be presented. Next, we will explore the significance of water resources and the chemical properties that affect plants. We will then explore methods for monitoring and ensuring healthy water conditions for plants. Additionally, we will examine different techniques and disinfectants used for water disinfection. Throughout the presentation, Ines will also address rare but unfortunate damage cases encountered over the past 15 years, underscoring the importance of maintaining water safety within the propagator facility.
Company visit to Axia Vegetable Seeds in Naaldwijk
Axia is a breeding company in vegetable seeds for heated and unheated greenhouse cultivation, with or without artificial light. Axia seeds experts work on developing and breeding new varieties. In the breeding process, they focus on taste and quality in combination with good yields. They use state-of-the-art research and development facilities to achieve this. During our company visit in Axia seeds, we will have the opportunity to see their facilities and their expert team will share more insights into their methods of seed production.
Company visit to Wageningen University Research (WUR) in Bleiswijk
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in Bleiswijk is a renowned institution at the forefront of agricultural research and innovation. Located in the heart of the Westland region, WUR's Bleiswijk campus serves as a hub for cutting-edge horticultural research and development. With state-of-the-art facilities and a multidisciplinary approach, WUR in Bleiswijk plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable farming practices, optimizing crop production, and addressing the complex challenges facing the agricultural sector. As Grodan we collaborate with WUR to generate new knowledge. During our visit in WUR we will have the opportunity to visit our latest strawberry propagation trials. Thomas Peters will present you our latest insights on strawberry propagation on stone wool.
Maurice Donners (MSc, MTD) is a product development manager in the Grodan Application and Development department. After having held various positions in product development, Maurice continued his career 10 years ago at Grodan. Innovation is his passion. With his engineering and scientific background he is responsible for new mineral wool substrate developments, process optimisations, and fundamental product research.
Senior Product and Sales Manager in professional greenhouse Horticulture.
Supporting clients to get the best possible performance in their production. Supported by Normec Groen Agro Control's analysis she conducts analysis for process control on a routine basis. Or analysis to let your processes GROW to a higher level. Her specialties are sales, training, marketing, consultancy, hygiene, disinfection and food-safety, residues of pesticides, vegetable and ornamental crops, quality and reuse of water, plant diseases, nutrients in water soil and crop.
I’m a South African agricultural researcher with a passion for helping growers thrive. After completing my master’s degree in plant biotechnology at the University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, I worked with growers from the global south to help them improve their postharvest handling of the crops. I then relocated to Belgium, where I worked as a research associate at the department for Bioscience Engineering. I missed having the daily contact with growers, and practically being involved in helping them develop new techniques, so I decided to make a shift back to industry. I now work as a team lead for plant research at Viscon, where my team focuses on developing new turn-key solutions for CEA.
Cees Kortekaas is an experienced sales lead with a background in the greenhouse industry. He has a strong history in tomato cultivation, initially managing a greenhouse company with his father. They transitioned from beef tomatoes to vine tomatoes in 1995 and later to plum tomatoes in 1999. Cees then worked as an Account Manager at Western Seed, which was acquired by Monsanto in 2009. He subsequently joined Axia as a grower manager, overseeing trials and later focusing on sales of their tomato varieties, including the successful Twixia and Axiradius. Currently, Cees collaborates with Michel de Winter to lead worldwide sales in the High Tech market.
Thomas Peters is one the business development managers for various crops within Grodan, including strawberry on stone wool. Thomas has earned his footsteps in propagation due to the fact he grew up on a propagation facility between cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes grown already stone wool. After having held various positions in propagation, Thomas continued his career at Grodan as a cultivation advisor propagation worldwide. Doing the work for a period of 4 years, Thomas continued his career within Grodan and changed his position to become one of our business development managers. After a successful introduction of rockwool products in the lettuce market his current focus has changed to strawberry propagation and strawberry cultivation on Grodan.
Werner van Mullekom is Account manager at Agrozone and has over 30 years’ experience in the horticultural business. His parents where growers themselves, but Werner’s interest was not becoming a grower but the technical side of growing crop. After finishing the HAS in Den Bosch he started working for an installation company specialising in the watering part. In 2022 he made the step to Agrozone to dive even deeper in the subject “water”.
CEO of Sendot
Knowledge Manager
Business Development Manager
Business Support/Crop Consultant
Communications Manager
Technical Communications Manager
Location of the International Propagation Seminar 2023
“IPS is a great opportunity to network with fellow propagators. I found that especially as covid is easing it is really nice to get out and share as well as learn from others, the IPS is a great platform for this.“
Young plants propagators are facing big challenges right now. From plant diseases to energy saving, people management & adequate logistics. We participate so many years in IPS powered by Grodan because we find answers to those challenges!
“IPS has brought me several new contacts in the international young plant-companies. Building a network outside your immediate scope is necessary to continue to innovate in the future and to adapt to the changing world.”
We are a global leader in the supply of innovative stone wool substrate solutions for the professional horticultural based on Precision Growing principles.
