A new facility has been opened within Wageningen University & Research (WUR): the RootzoneLab. This research facility focuses on testing products and techniques applied around the root zone of plants in greenhouse systems. "We want to be a filter and prevent growers from making unnecessary investments," explains Jim van Ruijven, Team Leader Rootzone Dynamics & Scientific Researcher Water & Emission at WUR.
Independent research
Jim explains how the RootzoneLab came into being. "We have a number of services that we offer as standard, such as the LightLab in Wageningen and a product quality lab in Bleiswijk. A year and a half ago, we looked at the protocols for growing media and water treatment that we already applied for customers and how we could bundle them. From that, the RootzoneLab was born."
This facility allows companies from different sectors - from water treatment to growth media and fertilizer suppliers - to have their products tested independently. "Previously, it was difficult for companies to find us if they didn't know we did this. Now it is a lot easier, even for companies outside the sector," Jim said.
Filter for the sector
The agricultural sector sees a constant stream of new technologies and products entering the market. "Many products are touted as revolutionary, but not everything works as promised. We want to be a filter and prevent growers from making unnecessary investments."
The tests performed by the RootzoneLab are more complex than at commercial laboratories, he explains. "This makes the facility especially interesting for companies that want to have in-depth testing done before introducing a product to the market."
According to Jim, the RootzoneLab offers practical advantages for companies: "Our tests are fairly small-scale, which means you can have results within a few weeks that you can do something with towards the market. We can also help companies determine how a product fits within a cultivation system. This can lead to demonstration trials within the WUR facilities, which helps with the market introduction of innovative products."
Testing opportunities
The RootzoneLab offers several testing opportunities:
- Analysis of growth media: Investigation of water retention, pH buffering and biological stability.
- Phytotoxicity testing: Evaluation of the impact of new products on plant growth.
- Biofilm testing: Effectiveness of products for biofilm prevention and removal in irrigation systems.
- Disease suppression in growing media: Assessment of the impact of growth media and biostimulants on soil-borne plant diseases.
- BZG test: Assessment test of treatment plants in greenhouse horticulture
- Supply of Standard Water to external parties
Click here for more information on all RootzoneLab tests or to contact RootzoneLab.
For more information:
Jim van Ruijven
Wageningen University & Research
jim.vanruijven@wur.nl
https://www.wur.nl/nl/show/rootzonelab.htm