"By growing young plants in a vertical farm, we can imitate ideal growing conditions as it's no longer influenced by external factors. Each system can be tailored to the needs of every young plant, preparing it for the next phase of cultivation; for instance, the transition to a greenhouse or the open field," Rudy van den Berg, Commercial Manager at Artechno.
Artechno Growsystems introduces 'AVF+ Young Plants'. This cultivation system enables growers to raise robust young plants of many crop types at a high density. The system accurately controls environmental variables such as temperature, light, humidity, and nutrients within an optimal growing environment. Mainly, the system provides increased production, space savings, and consistent quality, as well as less labor-intensive cultivation, and improved biocontrol.
In recent years, Artechno has developed a new way of growing young plant material. To this end, the internationally operating Dutch company draws on 35 years of experience as a technical supplier to international greenhouse horticulture.
Artechno at GreenTech Amsterdam 2024
He emphasizes that in a vertical farm, the risk of infection is reduced to almost zero. "This means that it is no longer necessary to control diseases, viruses, and pests during propagation. In addition, it results in a clean start to the next cultivation phase. Certain soil diseases, from which young plants can suffer a lot in the first phase after germination, no longer occur. This paves the way for using less resistant varieties, which have several additional benefits."
Automation
Breeding in a vertical farm allows for extensive automation. "Unnecessary and heavy labor can be eliminated. Crop flow in the farm can be optimized, with the plant having to move through the farm less frequently. In addition, it's possible to organize automation in such a way that the plant moves to the robot instead of the other way around. Any manual operations can be carried out at an ergonomic working height."
Growing up at high density in a multi-layer indoor cultivation system saves a lot of space on the total cultivation area of the farm. Less space is needed for rearing, which automatically leaves more room for finishing. "This is one of the factors that contributes to the increase of overall production."
Another important factor of increasing production is the acceleration of the rearing process, Rudy continues. "This shortens the cycle and therefore allows more cycles to be run at the same time. Almost every crop can grow faster in a vertical farm."
No human errors
Since all conditions are controlled and there are no external influences, the success rate for young plants approximates 100%, state the Dutch vertical farming specialists. Rudy: "External influences such as climate and weather conditions, but also possible human errors can be ruled out. As strong, better plants can be grown in a vertical farm, the rest of the cultivation starts from a better level. This in turn leads to better results for the rest of the cultivation process: less failure, higher production, higher % class one, etc. All these factors contribute to the improved profitability of the farm."
In an AVF+ Young Plants system, one can grow the following crop groups: lettuce, fruit (vegetable) crops, soft fruit, ornamental, forestry, and medicinal crops.
For more information:
Artechno Growsystems 
Tel: +31 (0)174 512051
[email protected]
www.artechno-growsystems.com/avf-hybrid