UV - C technology is more and more win traction in horticulture . As with all ' new ' solutions , there ’s a reason for this . " When the pressure is on , and/or there are no more pick available , the market is quick for something newfangled , " says Peter van Dongen of Micothon . Due to the wither armory of usable treatment , they ’re ascertain a rise in demand for their UV - C solution , MicoLight , in combating powdery mildew .
How does it work?UV - C radiation syndrome acts on the DNA of microorganisms . " It trigger off the DNA to self - destruct , " explains Peter . " The childlike the micro-organism , the more effective the treatment . Powdery mildew is relatively dewy-eyed ; Botrytis and Fusarium are more complex . Therefore , with powdery mould , there is 100 percent effectiveness , while with other fungi , it ’s partial . If implement correctly , you may be powdery mould - free , as proven by trial and now in exercise . "
Proper applications programme is crucialThe key , therefore , is right app . " At least five applications every two weeks , on median every two to three Day . " The treatment is always used preventively , not remedial . " It acts on the establishment of the fungal hypha . When the fungus essay to constitute a hyphae , the DNA is triggered to self - destruct by the ultraviolet - C. Then no fungal hyphae is form , and it does n’t maturate inward , and there ’s no sporulation . "
Agents can also work curatively because they remain on a plant for a while , unlike light . " That ’s why you need to repeat the treatment on a regular basis . Trials in Hoogstraten have shown that illuminating at nighttime is best to keep the fungus from growing during the day . WUR has demonstrated that it also work at the end of the good afternoon , but nighttime is best to avoid interfering with sunlight . "
Safety first , for personnel and cropsAlthough UV - vitamin C is not grievous , it ’s not entirely without risk : it can make arc center , Peter warns . It ’s also important to treat it carefully with crops . " We advise a distance of 25 - 50 cm , with a change of location speed of 20 to 30 meters per minute . If you drive really slowly and give too much light , a plant life can burn , but we have n’t seen that in strawberries yet , so we can go quite far with ultraviolet radiation - C light in strawberries . "
The Micothon factorMicothon is not the only company offering ultraviolet - C robots – so what sets them aside ? " First of all , we have a lot of experience with ultraviolet light - C in pink wine and cucumbers for over 10 years . A second point is that we do n’t wrench off the lamp at the oddment of the row but cover up it with a cap . That ’s safe for the user – as soon as someone comes into the aisle , the lamp is harbour to forestall vulnerability to ultraviolet light - C. And if you keep turning a fluorescent lamp on and off , it does n’t last as long . Ours lasts much longer . And it delivers a unceasing output of UV - C. "
Furthermore , Peter continues , Micothon is the only one that can make a ultraviolet illumination - C robot runnel without a tube rail organization . " That ’s special because you ca n’t really work out with GPS in a glasshouse since the structure behave as a Faraday cage . Our automaton works with laser applied science , allowing it to detain on course of instruction . "
Increasing demandAs observe at the beginning , the demand for ultraviolet illumination - C is rising . This is due to the increasing fungal pressure from the bad weather last year , Peter explain . " We saw it in all crops and thus also in hemangioma simplex with powdery mildew . There was a lot of spray , and that ca n’t go on indefinitely : there are fewer agents available , and vendue and buying organizations also prefer no remainder on the Cartesian product . Thus , the demand for UV - century applied science has rapidly increased . " This need translates into the supply from Micothon : " We are now ramp up three large simple machine and two small ones , the first MicoLight will be operable in mid - April in Belgium , with a broad cap without tube rail , at Lamberries in Merksplas . "
For more selective information : MicothonPeter van DongenTel . : 06 5325 6044[email protected]http://www.micothon.nl/
© FloralDaily.com/Annet Breure
