The earliest research photos from Proefcentrum Hoogstraten's studies on substrate-grown strawberries were in black and white. For over sixty years, this Belgium research center has specialized in strawberry cultivation and has conducted tomato trials for seventy years. Last Saturday marked a new milestone as Hans Vanderhallen and Tom Van Delm from the Proefcentrum, alongside Minister of Agriculture Jo Brouns and Deputy Jinnih Beels, officially inaugurated the center's new greenhouses. "Horticulture accounts for just 0.2% of agricultural land but generates half a billion in production value," said the minister. "Reaching the top is one thing; staying there requires knowledge-sharing and state-of-the-art infrastructure."
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Innovative crops
The new greenhouses offer space for cultivating tomatoes and strawberries, as well as innovative crops like melon and passion fruit, alongside research into biological crop protection. To support this, seventeen departments have been established: three smaller ones and fourteen on a semi-practical scale. The latter is crucial because the research is focused on delivering tangible benefits to growers. During the opening, the strong collaboration with the VITO horticultural school in the region and the growers, both individually and through Coöperatie Hoogstraten, was repeatedly highlighted. "Working profitably requires expertise, quality education, and continuous innovation," concluded Hans Vanderhallen. "The need and thirst for knowledge is insatiable."
It was a special week for Proefcentrum Hoogstraten anyway, as an important step was also taken in the proposed merger with the Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt in Sint-Katelijne-Waver. Both boards and the directors of BelOrta and Coöperatie Hoogstraten signed the letter of intent to merge the research centers into Harvestis as of January 1st together.
Researchers' Candy Store
The brand-new greenhouse complex will also play a significant role, being fully equipped for both fundamental and practice-oriented research, as well as the variety of trials for which the Proefcentrum is renowned.
The design and layout of the greenhouse are heavily focused on flexibility. The infrastructure includes multiple identical research departments, enabling different experiments to be conducted simultaneously and modularly. The entire greenhouse is encircled by a narrow corridor, which not only prevents edge effects from exterior walls but also acts as a physical barrier against diseases and pests. Additionally, this corridor allows visitors to observe everything clearly without entering the crop areas themselves, which is an important advantage for maintaining crop hygiene.
In the water technical rooms, the storage tanks are equipped with an advanced telemetry system, and there are enough mixing units to provide forty different feedings, allowing for trials and comparisons with strawberries and tomatoes. The water used is collected rainwater. With the use of sand and UV filters, along with a phyto collection system, recycling is possible where needed, while the remainder is biologically degraded and reused. The greenhouses themselves feature highly light-transmitting Vetrasol glass, two energy screens (with the option to add a third), and ventilation windows equipped with insect nets to keep pests out. For lighting, dynamic and dimmable lamps have been chosen, which can be controlled across four channels.
The greenhouses are also designed for research into robotics. UV robots can be tested on the tube rails to combat powdery mildew in strawberries, and the wide corridors provide ample space for other robots involved in crop registration and harvest forecasts. The facility is well-equipped with sensors to aid researchers, including those for measuring temperature, relative humidity, radiation, photosynthesis, and CO₂ levels. Additionally, the substrates, stomata, and plant behavior can be closely monitored, enhancing the scope of research and innovation.
Measures
The construction of the project began last January with the demolition of the existing greenhouses. In the years leading up to this, the plan had faced delays due to pandemic measures and sharply rising costs. Despite these challenges, demolition of the old greenhouses commenced in January of last year, and construction of the new facilities began in March. Building a structure with 24 departments during a winter with record rainfall was no easy feat. Tom Van Delm took the opportunity to extend special thanks to Jan Janssen and Roel Vanderbruggen, as well as all those involved, for their dedication, flexibility, and creativity, which enabled them to meet the planting dates for the planned research.
The sharply rising costs are one of the major challenges facing the sector and highlight the importance of a research center like the one in Hoogstraten, as noted by the speakers. "Our investments are not so much focused on infrastructure, but on innovation and the future," said Deputy Jinnih Beels. The challenges necessitating this innovation are numerous, including stricter environmental measures, market demands, and especially the energy transition. Hans Vanderhallen emphasized that even in discussions with energy specialists, it becomes evident how advanced horticulture already is in terms of technology and insights, and how valuable this knowledge can be for society. "The sector often appears as a struggling example, but it should be seen as a leading example." This sentiment was echoed by Minister Jo Brouns, who stated, "Energy independence is crucial. Maximize savings, prioritize renewables, and where fossil fuels are used, manage them as efficiently as possible. That's a triple yes here."
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For more information:
Proefcentrum Hoogstraten
www.proefcentrum.be