Greenhouse vegetables

The eight main themes comprising the research activities of the greenhouse vegetable department are variety trials, cultivation methods, fertilization evaluation, water resources, disease and pest management, energy, new production systems and waste management.

Variety trials Because the production and quality requirements for fresh vegetables are increasing, new and better varieties are needed. Therefore, growers will need information about the characteristics of available and soon-to-be-released varieties. This information is acquired from variety trials, quality assays and storage assays. Variety trials generate information about the total production and its properties through the growing season with parameters such as grade, per unit weight, and total marketable yield. In addition to yield and physical qualities, disease resistance or tolerance, taste, and shelf life are also integral to the quality and acceptance of each variety. Much research is focused on traditional crops such as tomato, pepper, cucumber and lettuce, though other novel crops and varieties also receive great attention. Top

Cultivation techniques Conducting research on new or improved cultivation practices is essential to optimizing vegetable production. Strong attention is devoted to grafting, growing systems, substrate comparisons, planting densities for lettuce and cucumber, closed greenhouse systems, and moving gutters for herb and leafy vegetable production. Top

Water resources Agricultural water is becoming an increasingly rare and expensive resource. Therefore, it is critical that utilization of available water resources is maximized while consumption of water is minimized. Whether with soilless substrate- or soil-based cultivation, each system carries its own unique water use problems and challenges. Research with substrate-based production focuses on better collection and recycling of drainage water. Emphasis on minimizing water use through sprinkler optimization and moving the sector toward closed-loop irrigation and recirculation systems are primary subjects addressed with soil-based systems cultivation in this research. Top

Disease and pest management Crop protection is necessary to minimize or eliminate the impact of diseases and pests on yield and crop quality. Therefore, RSVP primarily focuses on optimizing biorational plant protection strategies. Secondly, researchers at RSVP focus further on developing and improving integrated plant and pest management practices, evaluating alternatives to chemical soil disinfestation, optimizing crop protectant application technologies, and assessing performance of new pesticides (via good experimental practice, or GEP, trials). Top

Energy Continuously increasing energy costs combined with low vegetable prices have prompted the sector to seek ways to make climate control more efficient and cost effective. Proper climate control helps greenhouse horticulturists to combine high yield with good marketable quality, while also helping in disease management. The movement toward more sustainable climate control strives for optimal integration and use of various climate control components including heating systems, shading screens, supplemental lighting, and covers to minimize the energy inputs and losses. Top

Field-grown vegetables

The following five major themes guide the research activities of the field soil-grown vegetable research program: variety trials, disease and pest management, water resources, fertilizer evaluation and waste management.

Variety trials It remains important for growers to continually acquire knowledge about existing and new varieties so each can make well-reasoned variety selections. RSVP's guiding principle that research must be of practical value is constantly regarded and upheld. Not only are yield and quality important but shelf life and resistance or tolerance to diseases and pests are also essential evaluation criteria. Besides classic vegetables like cauliflower, leek, cabbage, lettuce, specialty lettuce and Brussels sprouts, attention is paid to evaluating new crops and varieties as well. Top

Disease and pest management Integrated disease management is becoming more important in field production of vegetable crops but is difficult to define and practice due to the lack of control growers have over outdoor production environments and to the great diversity of crop varieties used. Nevertheless, efforts are being made in the development of integrated disease management programs. More and more techniques have been identified that help to reduce synthetic pesticide use and, subsequently, dependency. Therefore, designing programs for more effective and responsible use of existing methods and identifying and evaluating alternatives to synthetic pesticides are top priorities for RSVP. With its Good Experimental Practices (GEP) certification, RSVP maintains a solid base and sound experience needed for objective evaluations of new plant protection products. When pesticide applications are timed properly using the correct dose as well as the optimum application method, the amount and frequency of pesticide applications, labor costs, and human exposure risks can be minimized. Further reductions in pesticide applications require frequent and accurate monitoring programs to feed information into practical models that help growers to pesticides only when they are needed and not on a calendar basis. Through its project "Observation and Warning Systems," RSVP offers growers a tried and tested tool for better disease and pest management. Top

Water resources Traditional overhead irrigation brings with it several negative issues that can be avoided by using drip irrigation or other methods. Recycling and purification are other appropriate factors that are studied for sustainable water use research. At RSVP, the pros and cons of irrigation, water retention, and purification systems are weighed against each other. Top

Fertilization research Reducing fertilizer use and limiting or preventing nitrate runoff and leaching are important research topics. Soil analyses are conducted and fertilization advice is communicated among the growers. New kinds of fertilizers, alternative application methods, and the use of secondary organic materials are also being evaluated. Top

Projects

RSVP is an active partner in the following projects:

• Valorisatie van de capillaire nalevering in de modelmatige beregeningssturing voor intensieve openluchtteelten in functie van milieukundige en economische criteria.
  (IWT 030824; 1/5/2004-30/4/2006)
  In association with Bodemkundige Dienst van België, POVLT Rumbeke
  Contact: Luc De Rooster
  
  
• Ontwikkeling van geavanceerde statistische technieken voor de analyse van interne en externe kwaliteit van tomaten.
  (IWT 40726; 2005-2008)
  In association with K.U.Leuven, Proefcentrum Hoogstraten, PCG Kruishoutem
  Contact: Lieve Wittemans, Liesbet Van Herck, Elise Vandewoestijne
  
  
• Studie ter beheersing van Pepino Mozaïek Virus in de tomatenteelt: integratie van wettenschappelijk onderzoek en praktijk.
  (IWT 040718; 2005-2006)
  In association with Scientia Terrae, Proefcentrum Hoogstraten
  Contact: Lieve Wittemans, Liesbet Van Herck, Elise Vandewoestijne
  
  
• Gesloten kas als energiebron en optimale teeltomgeving.
  (IWT ; 2005-2006)
  In association with VITO, K.U.Leuven, Proefcentrum Hoogstraten
  Contact: Raf De Vis
  
  
• Duurzame beheersing van papiervlekkenziekte in prei via een modelmatige aanpak.
  (IWT; 2005-2008)
  In association with UGent, POVLT Rumbeke, PCG Kruishoutem
  Contact: Luc De Rooster
  
  
• Verkennen, verspreiden en ondersteunen van innovatieve concepten met betrekking tot microbiële ketenbeheersing van ultraverse producten.
  (IWT 20502, 1/1/2003-1/1/2007)
  In association with Scientia Terrae, De Nayer Instituut
  Contact: Marijke Claes
  
  
• Bomodly, een model voor duurzame bestrijding van Botrytis in tomaat.
  (IWT 40489; 1/10/2004-1/10/2006)
  In association with KHK, Proefcentrum Hoogstraten, KULeuven
  Contact: Lieve Wittemans
  
  
• Demonstratie stikstofreductie in bladgewassen.
  (ALT)
  Contact: Luc De Rooster
  
  
• Imagoversterking van de duurzame landbouw door organisatie van informatiedoorstroming: faciliteren van het contact tussen producent en consument.
  (PDPO)
  Contact: Raf De Vis
  
  
• Korte oogsttermijn prognose bij tomaat.
  (LAVA)
  Contact: Liesbet Van Herck, Elise Vandewoestijne
  
  
• Opvang en opslag van hemelwater en drainagewater als onderdeel van duurzaam watergebruik op het tuinbouwbedrijf.
  (ALT-Demonstratieproject Duurzame Landbouw; 1/1/2006-31/12/2007)
  i.s.m. PCG Kruishoutem, Proefcentrum Hoogstraten
  Contactpersoon: Els Berckmoes
  Klik hier om document te openen
  
  
• Duurzaam waterbeheer op groente- en kleinfruitbedrijven door innovatieve technieken
  (TD-IWT; 1/5/2006-30/4/2008)
  i.s.m. PCG Kruishoutem, Proefcentrum Hoogstraten, WIPG Rumbeke
  Contactpersoon: Els Berckmoes
  
  
• Effecten van functionele biodiversiteit op de plaagbeheersing door de natuurlijke vijanden van bladbeschadigers in koolgewassen
  (IWT 50623;1/1/2007-31/12/2010)
  i.s.m. UGent, PCG Kruishoutem, WIPG Rumbeke
  Contactpersoon: Luc De Rooster Joris De Nies
  
  
• Geïntegreerde bestrijding van Verticillium verwelking onder praktijkomstandigheden
  (IWT 050659; 1/8/2006-31/7/2010)
  i.s.m. UGent, WIPG Rumbeke
  Contactpersoon: Luc De Rooster en Katrijn Spiessens
  
  

• Goede Hygiëne Praktijken in de Tuinbouw
  (Provinciebestuur Antwerpen)
  Contactpersoon: Marijke Claes
  
  
• Biologische controle van springstaarten (Collembolen) in de teelt van bladgewassen onder glas in het kader van economische, ecologische en ergonomische perspectieven
  (Provinciebestuur Antwerpen)
  i.s.m. Ilvo (Johan Witters) en Biobest
  Contactpersoon: Bie Verbruggen
  

Het Proefstation voor de Groeteteelt vzw stelt zijn infrastructuur ter beschikking voor volgende projecten:

• Optimalisatie van de biologische controle van wortelziekten, veroorzaakt door Pythium spp. en Phytophthora spp. bij substraatteelt van tomaat.
  (IWT 30109; 1/12/2003-1/12/2005)
  In association with De Nayer Instituut, KHK, Scientia Terrae
  Contact: Els Berckmoes
  
  
• Optimalisatie van een systeem voor waterzuivering en ontsmetting op basis van drijvende waterplanten met bijzondere aandacht voor gele lis.
  (IWT 040176; 1/9/2004-1/9/2006)
  In association with Scientia Terrae, De Nayer Instituut, Innovatiesteunpunt voor de glastuinbouw
  Contact: Els Berckmoes
  
  

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