Featured Past Articles
Nitrogen is essential to support the development of healthy crops. On average, plant tissues exposed above ground contain around 3-4% nitrogen, which is a significantly higher concentration than levels of other nutrients.
Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen are present in higher concentrations; however, these elements do not usually influence soil fertility management programs. The reason that nitrogen is so important to crop growth is that it helps form chlorophyll, the substance that supports the process of photosynthesis. Also, it helps form essential amino acids that have many important roles in the growth of plants, such as providing the structural units or acting as enzymes. In addition, nitrogen is also a vital component of ATP which allows cells to conserve energy, as well as a vital component of nucleic acids such as DNA. Therefore, nitrogen content in soil is fundamentally important for ensuring the growth of healthy crops. However, not all crops need the same amount, and providing enough nitrogen is also just as important as ensuring nitrogen concentrations in soil are not superfluous.
One in five growers say they’re thinking of just leaving their greenhouse completely empty this winter, according to a survey conducted by the Dutch sector organisations Glastuinbouw Nederland and Plantum. Skipping a crop or starting later obviously has serious financial consequences. What many growers don’t realise, however, is that ‘just’ switching off their systems can also have consequences. Next time the pumps, pipes and drippers are put to work, there’s a risk that they could malfunction. A few tips can help to prevent an extra financial damper due to unexpected repair costs.
Are you doing everything right, but your flowers still don’t last as long as they should? It could be your water. By Terril A. Nell, Ph.D., AAF Research Director, American Floral Endowment
Flowers live or die based on the availability of water to stems, leaves and blooms. Indeed, water stress may be the most significant factor affecting vase life in cut flowers. Flowers die prematurely when the amount of water being absorbed is lower than the amount lost from the leaves, stems and blooms. Research has shown that several factors can lead to reduced water absorption, including bacteria, air blockages and water quality, especially water pH. Poor water quality can reduce the amount of water absorbed. Without water, individual cells cannot function. This is particularly critical for cut flowers that must get water from a bucket or vase solution. Flowers open by using water to enlarge the petal cells, just as air inflates a balloon. New petal cells are not produced after harvest, so a continuous flow of water is needed by the flower if it is to open fully and remain viable for seven days. Sugars from flower foods in bucket/vase water supply energy to supplement the flower’s naturally occurring sugars.
Sustainability & Market
Astronomical air freight rates and space constraints in air cargo postpandemic continued to challenge the flower and perishables sector this year in Africa. Can infrastructure upgrades, collaboration, more air connections, cold storage facilities, government support, and new markets spell good tidings for the flower and fresh industry of Africa?
Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Ghana are some of the African nations that lead in both flowers, fruits and vegetables (perishables) supply to the world. The rapid development witnessed in these two sectors has driven domestic economic growth, grown investment and provided a plentitude of job opportunities to locals.
The signing of the framework of cooperation between Kenya Flower Council and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was to strengthen the efforts in adoption of sea freight for perishables in Kenya.
Recently the Government of the Netherlands and Kenya Flower Council signed a Framework of Cooperation on adoption of sea freight for perishables in Kenya. The Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Maarten Brouwer and the Chairman of the Kenya Flower Council board Mr. Richard Fernandes signed this framework during the opening of the International Floriculture Trade Exhibition (IFTEX) at Oshwal Center in Nairobi, Kenya.
Read more: Kenya Flower Council (KFC) and The Netherlands sign a Framework of Cooperation
25 years of innovative cooling and freezing solutions
COMPANY PROFILE
Celtic cooling was established in 1997 by owner Joost Van Klink. Since then our company developed into professional refrigeration business with an excellent market position and reputation in the sector. We followed our customers abroad and in addition to our modern headquarters in Nieuw-Vennep in the Netherlands, we have four branches worldwide in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana and Kazakhstan.
Our Specialties
We have experience in the design and installation of bespoke refrigeration and freezer installations, and air conditioning systems and turkey solutions for every possible purpose. Our customers come from various industrial sectors in the Netherlands as well as abroad. We set great score by building an enduring relationship with our customers and we enjoy anticipating their needs.
By manipulating environmental conditions, and paying equal attention to temperature and humidity, greenhouse growers can improve the quality of their crops and maximise yields.
Greenhouse climate control involves optimising the elements to maximise yield at the lowest possible cost, and to do this properly, growers need to understand the effect of vapour pressure deficit (VPD) on plant growth.
VPD, explains Van Rooyen, is the difference between the amount of moisture within a plant’s leaves and the air surrounding the plant. It drives various plant processes, such as transpiration, the opening of stomata, and the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nutrients.
