Hydroponics and Greenhouses

The Commercial Growers Magazine
www.hydroponics.com.au
New Predatory Mite Product

SEPTEMBER 2013
ISSUE
135
PCA CONFERENCE 2013

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS
PATHWAYS TO PRODUCTION
New and innovative products and services
Filling the skills gap with customised training
NEW PARTNERSHIP
VENT, FOG & FAN SYSTEM
De Ruiter & Chisholm Institute collaboration
Cooling Australian greenhouses
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Industry Growth
Forecast
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casper@hydroponics.com.au
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Adam Reynolds
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Rick Donnan, Marilyn Steiner,
Stephen Goodwin, R.A. John White
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ISSN 2202-1485
ts heartbreaking to watch Australian farmers and food processing industries

go to the wall because of cheap imports and supermarket price wars. A case in
point is the Coles supermarket milk price war that has hit processor profits
and forced down milk prices to farmers to where the majority are making
losses. Two-and-a-half years later, the supermarket promotion has seen more
than 80 dairy farming families leave the industry in Queensland alone, at a time
when the State is short of milk to meet the needs of consumers. According to the
Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation, the loss of these farmers equates to a loss
of some $40 million of investment in fresh milk production, and the loss of 240 jobs
at a farm level, as well as more staff losing their jobs along the value chain.
In the horticulture industry, five food processors have closed their Australian
operations over the past two years, owing to high costs and cheap imports. As one
presenter at the recent Protected Cropping Australia conference so elegantly put
it, when we hear politicians spruik Australia as the food bowl of Asia, at a time
when farmers are leaving the land, its a lie.
Some good news for the horticulture industry are forecasts by IBISWorld, a
leading market research company, that outdoor and undercover vegetable
production are projected to grow 3.6% and 4% per annum, respectively. This
growth is projected to result from increases in production value due to improved
production volumes, and greater health consciousness in consumers, according to
the IBISWorld report. The report estimates that the vegetable industry grew at
around 1.5% per annum in the five years from 2007-08 to 2012-13, during a period
where consumer spending slumped, and the industry was hit by adverse seasonal
conditions and unfavourable exchange rate movements. This estimate is in line
with the growth of the Protected Cropping industry, which has fallen from 4% yearon-year growth before the Global Financial Crisis, to about 1.5 to 2% growth since
the GFC.
In this issue, our report on the recent Protected Cropping Australia Conference
and Trade Show looks at the health of the industry, according to leading equipment
suppliers and service providers. The conference highlighted new innovations and
future developments that will see higher production volumes. Delegates heard
what Coles supermarkets want from produce, the National Australia Bank spoke
about Australias economic future, and industry experts from Australia and around
the world gave us a glimpse into emerging aquaponics technology and advanced
greenhouse temperature and light control using optics and refractors. Specialty
workshops imparted practical knowledge and ideas about how to improve growing
operations, and the exhibition showcased the latest products and innovations. This
was one of the best industry conferences I have attended in terms of delegate and
exhibitor numbers, content and organisation. The event demonstrated that the
Australian protected cropping industry is ready to host the 29th International
Horticultural Congress, which is held every four years, and will take place at
Brisbane in August next year. The Congress is expected to attract some
30 protected cropping institutions and 2000-3000 delegates from around the world.
Watch this space for updates. b
Steven Carruthers
Practical Hydroponics & Greenhouses . September . 2013. 3
A Magazine for
Commercial Growers
Advertising Inquiries
Tel: +61 (03) 9842-7338
marklewis@hydroponics.com.au
ISSUE 135 :: SEPTEMBER 2013 :: THE COMMERCIAL GROWERS MAGAZINE
Features
TRADE DIRECTORY
Product Spotlights ...................................10
Agnova . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
New and innovative products and services
A&D Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
showcased at the Australian Industry
Aquarius Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Conference and Trade Show.
Autogrow Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Besgrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Biological Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
BOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Coast Guard Netting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
New Partnership ......................................22

De Ruiter and Chisholm Institute partner to
showcase current and future seed varieties.
Product spotlights
PCA Conference 2013 ...............................24
Duralite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Highlights include the keynote presentation
Ecogrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
on solar optics and refractors for
Exfoliators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
commercial greenhouses, and the
Extrusion Technologies Int. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
aquaponics workshops.
Faber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OBC
Faber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Practical
Galuku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Pathways to Production ...........................20
Graeme Smith Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Traineeship programs to help fill the skills
Grodan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
gap, providing analysis of growers needs
Growhard Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
and customising courses to achieve the
Hortworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC
best training outcomes.
New partnership
Hydroponics Xpress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Organic Crop Protectants (OCP) . . . . . . . . . .29
Peet van Ruyven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Pestech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Priya Chemicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Van der Hoeven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Neoseiulus californicus ............................30

Australian growers to benefit from new
production method for predatory mite,
Neoseiulus californicus.
Vent, Fog and FanPART 2 .....................34
A plant-friendly cooling system for
Casper Publications is a member of Publishers
controlling temperatures in Australian
Australia, an association for specialist and
greenhouses.
PCA Conference 2013
business publishers.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this magazine whether
in editorial matter or in feature articles or in
Departments
advertisements is not published on the basis that the
From the Editor ..........................................3
Publisher accepts or assumes liability or responsibility
Reader Inquiries .........................................7
to any reader of the magazine for any loss or damage
Book & DVD Catalogue .............................39
resulting from the correctness of such information.
Cover Image: James Altman (Biological

Services) monitors N. californicus
Predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus

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Reader Inquiries
Thanks for your letters
I have a few suggestions to help us better identify your problems, and hence give the most appropriate answers:
Some of your letters are very long. This is not a problem, but they will have to be edited down before publishing. Please keep your actual questions
short, and limit yourself to one, or at most two, questions. Please comment as to whether you are a hobbyist or a commercial grower, and what
crop you are growing. Please describe at least the basics of your system, especially whether you recirculate or not. This is vital information, but
often overlooked. Other useful information, if known, would be: media type, container size and depth, channel size, length and slope, solution volume
per plant. For irrigation and nutrient questions, please describe your typical irrigation pattern over a day, plus how and when your solutions are
Rick Donnan
made up. If you have had any analysis done, such as your raw water, please attach a copy. Include any extra information you wish.
Address your inquiry to: PH&G PO Box 225, Narrabeen, NSW 2101 AUSTRALIA Fax: (02) 9905 9030 Int: +612 9905 9030 Email: info@hydroponics.com.au
Question
From a New South Wales lettuce
grower. What acid should I use for pH
control?
I once grew lettuce in the soil, but have
recently bought an operating hydroponic
lettuce farm. The system is a
recirculating NFT (nutrient film
technique) system with channels on
tables. I have been given the previous
owners fertiliser formula, which had
been quite successful, and he also used
phosphoric acid for pH control.
I recently visited a tomato grower and
he is using nitric acid, which he said had
been recommended by you. Which acid
should I use?
Answer
Ions
When an acid is used for pH control,
the acid in the solution has split into
two charged ions. One is the positively
charged hydrogen ion, which is the
acid ion (the H in pH stands for
hydrogen ion). This is paired with a
negatively charged ion, nitrate in the
case of nitric acid, and phosphate in
the case of phosphoric acid. Both
nitrate and phosphate ions are an

important part of the fertiliser solution
that you use.
Nutrient balance
However, there is a significant
difference in the normal level of nitrate
and phosphate ions in a well-balanced
nutrient solution. Typically, there would
be at least three times the quantity of
nitrate ions compared to phosphate
ions. Therefore, it has less of an impact
on your nutrient balance to add nitrate
rather than phosphate ions.
Consequently, in terms of nutrition
management, the acid I would normally
recommend to use for pH control is
nitric acid. There are some safety
concerns which I will cover later.
Whichever acid you use, it needs to be
included in the calculation of the
nutrient analysis of your fertiliser.
How important is pH?
In many books and articles there is a
strong emphasis on the importance of
pH. Sometimes the view is expressed
that there is a specific figure (often 6.3),
which is the essential and critical level.
This is often supposedly backed up by a
diagram showing the optimum

availability of a range of individual
nutrients. Most of these diagrams are
soil-based and nowhere near as
accurate as indicated. In practice,
anywhere between pH 5.5 to 6.5 is OK,
and often between 5.0 and 7.0 is also
acceptable, dependant particularly upon
the type of iron chelate that you use.
The downside of concentrating only
upon pH is that achieving tight pH
control can come at the expense of
sending the nutrient balance of your
hydroponic solution out of kilter,
especially in recirculating systems such
as yours. This is virtually never
mentioned in books promoting tight pH
control, but it is very important.
One of the worst examples I have
seen was a strawberry grower who had
leaves turning yellow. He was using
phosphoric acid for pH control, and
when I suggested that he measure how
much was being used, it was a
significant proportion of his total feed. I
also had him send a sample of his
recirculating nutrient solution for
analysis and a leaf sample for tissue
analysis. The aim for the solution was
Do you have a hydroponic

or nutrient problem?
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but
Reader Inquiries is intended to not only help the inquirer,
I recently had a can containing some two-stroke petrol, which had gone off. Having seen where spilt petrol/oil has killed
Issue 63: Hydroponics as an
the same problem.
may
who
growers
help
also
grass, I decided to use it as
a weed killer
usingother
a rough hand
sprayer. Later on
that same
hot dayhave
I sprayed another
agricultural production system
weed patch with Roundup herbicide at the recommended strength, using the same hand sprayer. It is now a week later
emails.
and
letters
your
welcome
We
Issue 103: Sustainable Aquaponics
and I can see the results.
Issue 117: Comparing Growing
Question
From an anonymous grower. How do pesticides work ?
(Letters and emails are published anonymously)
Those weeds sprayed with the herbicide are wilting, and the entire plant has turned yellow. Different types of weeds
are coloured to different degrees, but all are obviously dying.
The weeds sprayed with the petrol are different. There are strong yellow spots on the leaves, obviously where the
actual petrol droplets have hit. The remainder of the leaf is still green.
Can you explain this difference?
See More
Why Not Organic Hydroponics?

Issue 06: Planning Commercial
Hydroponics Part 1
Issue 119: Importance of ventilation

in commercial greenhouses
Issue 114: Rabbits, Rabbits,
Everywhere Rabbits
How do I manage acid addition and pH rise?
Issue 07: Planning Commercial

Hydroponics Part 2
From a NSW hydroponic tomato grower.

How do I manage acid addition and pH rise ?
Article Index
I grow tomatoes in greenhouses south of Sydney. I use phosphoric acid to lower my pH. I have been adding increasing
amounts of acid to bring my feed pH down about 6.0, but it is still rising to about 7.0 in the run -off. I have been adding
some liquid ammonium nitrate to reduce the pH rise, but it has only reduced the pH rise by about 0.2 pH. I have had
some symptoms of what has been suggested is iron deficiency. That is, the young leaves are pale and the veins show
up darker on the pale leaf.
An analysis was done of my feed and the laboratory advised that it was generally OK, except that the phosphorus (P)
level was high. I would like to add more acid, but that will make the P level even worse.
Can you suggest what I should do ?
Issue 70: Green Feed Livestock

Fodder Shed
See More
Should I use hydroponics to grow stock plants?
Issue 40: Lisianthus: A Specialty Cut

Flower
IPM in Hydroponic Strawberries
Index by Topic
Issue 98: Greenhouse Production In

Japan
Issue 35: The Fodder Factory
Free Digital Edition Subscription

Issue 11: Gibberellins Plant
Growth Hormones
Issue 02: Sand Culture
Issue 91: Chilling The Root Zone
From a New South Wales Nurseryman.
Should I use hydroponics to grow stock plants ?

I have a nursery in which I specialise in propagating large numbers of a narrow range of native trees from cuttings. I
know there are a few nurserymen who grow their stock plants in hydroponics. Would you suggest that this is a good
idea? If yes, could you give me some guidance on the fundamentals.
See More
Issue 118: Truss Me Tomato

Campaign
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Issue 85: Challenges Faced by the

Hydroponics Industry Worldwide
Issue 101: Aquaponics Revisited

About Us
Issue 14: Nurient Management in

Hydroponics Systems Part 2
Postal Address: PO Box 225 Narrabeen NSW Australia 2101 Ph: +61 (0)2 9905-9933 Email: info@hydroponics.com.au
http://hydroponics.com.au/category/reader_inquiries/[19/03/2013 3:27:55 PM]
8 . Practical Hydroponics & Greenhouses . September . 2013
40ppm P, but the analysis showed over

200 ppm P and this rise had come in
only two weeks. The P levels in the
plant tissue were extremely high.
Safe use of acids
All strong mineral acids are
extremely dangerous. Those most
commonly met for hydroponic use are
phosphoric and nitric. Hydrochloric
acid (muriatic, or pool acid) is readily
available, but should never be used in
hydroponics because it adds
unwanted chloride ions. Sulphuric
acid (battery acid) is also common,
but rarely used in hydroponics,
although its use is possible if you
know what you are doing, and never
try used battery acid which contains
significant amounts of lead.
Strong mineral acid will cause
extreme damage to your skin and
especially your eyes. On a gruesome
note, concentrated sulphuric acid was
the product of choice for prohibition
era gangsters who wanted to disfigure
their molls. It is critically important
when handling acids, to use full
protective gear. That is, full length
chemical resistant apron and gloves,
and full face shield.
If acid gets onto the skin or eyes,
immediately flood with copious
amounts of water for at least 15
Whichever acid you use, it needs to be included in the

calculation of the nutrient analysis of your fertiliser.
minutes. Eyelids are to be held open.

Speed is essential, so have equipment
nearby such as a drench shower or a
hose with a shower rose attached. First
aid is critical, if you wait for an
ambulance or try to get them to a
doctor or hospital, the damage will
already be permanent. Damage to the
eyes may cause permanent blindness.
If you need to dilute a concentrated
acid, never add water to the acid,
because immense heat is generated,
the water boils instantly and spits hot
acidvery nasty. Always slowly add
acid to water while stirring and don't let

the mixture get too hot.
Nitric acid
Nitric acid has an added safety issue, in
that the concentrated acid gives off
unpleasant and dangerous fumes. This
is a major reason why phosphoric acid
is used. I recommend that you use a
lower strength solution, 30% is a
commonly sold strength. This will be
slightly more expensive per unit of acid,
but avoids the problem of fumes and is
nowhere near as dangerous. b
Powdery Mildew Control sounds sweeter with Flute

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Product Spotlights
The Protected Cropping Australia trade
show recently held in Melbourne,
Australia, attracted 48 exhibitors from
Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Holland
and China, and showcased many
innovative and unique products.
Paskal growth analysis system

Paskal Technologies is one the world's
leading manufacturers of trellising
accessories, providing modern
agricultural solutions for greenhouses
intended for vegetable production,
orchards and vineyards. Based in Israel,
the company has been in operation for
more than 20 years, in over 70 different

countries around the world.
At the recent Protected Cropping
Australia conference held in Melbourne,
the company showcased its new
innovative Growth Analysis System, a
patent pending monitoring system based
on wireless weighing units that enable
the user to observe and analyse a spatial
and comprehensive overview of
greenhouse performance and crop
growth rates.
The main objective of the Growth
Analysis System is to optimise crop
management to maximise profit.
Precise and accurate crop weights are
recorded and the data is transferred to
the data processing system on a
continuous basis.
Designated software analyses the
recorded data and displays the actual
growth curve. In addition, the program
creates a statistical model that
calculates a growth curve and the
interaction between growing conditions,
taking the specific growing conditions in
the greenhouse into account.
The processed information is
displayed by means of a simple graph
with an emphasis on the following:
A visual, spatial presentation that
displays unusual or irregular crop
behaviour in a certain area of
the greenhouse.
Feedback on the daily growth rate
and growth process enables the
grower to identify unforeseen and
unexpected phenomena.
The systems significant advantage is
expressed by the option for growers
to conduct experiments for
optimising growing conditions, suited
to specific requirements, in very
short periods of time.
The system will also be extremely
helpful for the efficient introduction of

new varieties and technologies.
The system calculates and clearly
presents interacting effects among the
growing conditions in relation to
weight accumulation.
The system can predict growth rates
within a specific greenhouse
according to the weather forecast.
Growth Analysis System.
Agro J hook.
Super J double cluster support.
Arch cluster support.
The Caliber.
Metal hook.
Trellising accessories
Of course, Paskal Technologies is best
known for its trellising accessories, and
working with growers to select the most
appropriate trellising method for their
specific crops and needs. The companys
philosophy is straightforward: suit the
trellising method to the specific crop,
climate conditions, growing season and
available manpower. These varying
conditions set the tune for selecting the
most appropriate products and the most
promising method for a successful yield.
Accordingly, numerous trellising
products and systems have been
developed to meet the diversified needs
of growers.
Paskal products are designed for
growing top quality tomatoes, peppers,
courgettes and cucumbers, as well as
tomatoes and pepper seeds. They
include the new Agro J hook, a unique
supporting hook without causing damage
to the cluster. It is designed to prevent
the cluster stem from bending or
breaking. It also significantly helps
increase fruit size, which leads to higher
levels of productivity. Easy to install and
capable of supporting weights up to 5kg,
the specially designed structure
prevents it from sliding on the twine.
Additional truss support products
include the Super J, Arch and Flexible
Arch cluster supports.
Another innovative Paskal trellis

accessory is the new Caliber, which
connects the plant to the twine. This
easy-to-use adjustable clip (patent
pending) is suitable for a variety of crops.
The adjustable diameter, ranging from
15mm to 23mm, expands with the
growth of the stem. More simply, the
same clip can be used throughout the
entire growing season. Paskal also offer
a biodegradable clip.
Other Paskal greenhouse
accessories include the Rollerhook and
Rollerplast, which assures full control
of lowering length; the Courgette clip,
which connects the lower part of the
plant to the trellising twine; the Radial
Hook, to prevent plant breakage; the
Mini Hook, for interplanting and short
season trellising; the quick release
metal hook, available in twine lengths
up to 25m; and the greenhouse metal
hook to firmly hold horizontal trellising
wire in place.
For more information contact:
Paskal Technologies, PO Box 603, Ind.
Zone, Maalot 24952, Israel.
Ph: +972-4-6679500 Fax: +972-4-9575844
Email: info@paskal-tech.com
Website: www.paskal-systems.com/
Besgrow Market Development Managers Paul McGregor (left) and Garry Clark.
Besgrow high-quality coir

New Zealand-based Besgrow specialise
in the production of high-quality organic
substrates from sustainable, renewable
resources. The Besgrow range of
products include coir, spagmoss and
Pinus radiata bark substrates. The
company is a market leader for coir
products throughout New Zealand where
it is used for hydroponic crop production,
potting mixes and landscaping.
Besgrow coir is a high quality, versatile
media produced from the husks of
coconuts. The coir processing factory is
located in the North West province of the
tropical island of Sri Lanka. This province
is home to the vast majority of the
countrys coconut plantations. Coconuts
are used to create a variety of goods and
Besgrow uses the husk of the coconut to
produce a range of high quality
horticultural products.
Only selected husks are used to
produce Besgrow products. The company
uses two methods of processing,
traditional and non-traditional, to provide
customers with a variety of products to
meet their different requirements.
The traditional process is used to
extract the fibres for use in textiles and
the pith for use in growing media. With
the non-traditional method, whole husks
are cut and crushed to produce coarser
growing media grades. Both of these
processes are labour intensive and use

manual and mechanical production
techniques.
Quality control is a central part of the
Besgrow process. The company monitors
numerous aspects of the coir material
throughout all stages of production to
ensure that strict quality standards are
met (ISO 9001 2000).
Besgrow coir products include Gropacs
and Grobags in specific grades, wrapped
in UV treated PVC plastic. Both products
have excellent hydration properties to
maximise nutrient uptake and to control
vegetative or generative steering.
Gropacs can also be customised to the
growers exact requirements, including
size, planter holes and drainage slits. The
standard size is 100 x 20 x 8cm.
Besgrow also offer bulk coir in specific
grades including fine propagation grade.
The bulk coir is available in 4-4.75kg
dehydrated compressed bales measuring
approximately 300 x 300 x 130mm.
For gerbera growers, Besgrow produce
compressed round coir discs, specifically
designed for easy substrate management
in the greenhouse. The discs are easy to
install; simply place in the bottom of a pot
and insert the irrigation dripper in the
drill hole.
The gerbera disc has an excellent air to
water ratio, which assists the plant in
developing a strong root system. This, in
turn, produces high quality plants. As a
buffered media, gerbera discs are a very

stable product ready to be used as soon
as the disc is hydrated. A standard disc
will fill a 20cm pot, however, other sizes
and grades are available on request.
Another Besgrow coir product is small
compressed coir briquettes that can be
used for mixing with other substrates or
as a stand-alone media. The briquette has
excellent water holding capacity and
therefore is ideal around the root zone of
plants. Coir briquettes are also frequently
used as bedding in worm farms, as
worms prefer the organic nature of coir
over regular soil. The briquettes are
individually wrapped and weigh 650g after
drying and compression. Once hydrated,
there is approximately 9 litres of
reconstituted material.
Besgrow also produce coir weed mats
available in rolls or squares, ideal for
applications where moisture retention
and weed suppression are important. The
weed mat is produced from the long
fibres of the coconut husk bound with
biodegradable natural latex to form a
dense but light mat. The weed mat
restricts the growth of weeds, allowing
young plants time to establish. The mat
also conserves soil moisture by
slowing evaporation.
Besgrow weed mat is a natural, light
brown colour that blends perfectly in a
landscape environment. The material can
be left exposed or covered with
decorative bark or mulch. Trials indicate
that the mat will retain its structure for at
least 18 months, however, this will vary
depending on environmental conditions.
As the mat breaks down it enriches the
soil with organic material.
Besgrow weed mat squares measure
500 by 500mm. They are easy to lay, and
designed for placing around the base of
trees and shrubs.
Besgrow products will be available
from all the Garden City Plastics locations
around Australia(HO) 89 Camms Rd,
Monbulk, Vic 3793
Ph: +61 3 9728-0300 Fax: +61 3 9728-0399
Email: enq@gardencityplastics.com
Website: www.gardencityplastics.com
For further information contact:
Paul or Garry at Besgrow
Ph: 1800 237 476
Email: info@besgrow.com
Website: www.besgrow.com
station, influences for RH and solar,

hydronic heating (on/off),CO2 injection,
fogging, screens and watering.
For fertigation, the Multigrow can
handle 10 recipes, 10 stock solutions,
10 valve groups, 300 valves with a
maximum of five time periods, calendar
scheduling (start/stop times), and builtin blend function.
Hydroponic dosing can be batch or
continuous, up to 10 stock tanks,
proportional dose size, fail safes are
built in, and calendar scheduling.
Autogrow also makes a range of standalone small controllers for hydroponic
dosing, fogging and screen automation.
Multigrow greenhouse
control system
New Zealand-based Autogrow Systems
has been designing and manufacturing
greenhouse controllers for over 20 years.
During this time the company has
developed many advanced techniques for
reliably measuring and controlling some
of the more difficult aspects of
greenhouse operation. All of this
knowledge has been incorporated into
the new Multigrow system, making for a
very user friendly system.
By setting up a wi-fi system with
coverage over the main growing areas of
the farm, the grower can stroll through
the farm with iPad in hand observing
readings, changing settings and
calibrating sensors.
The Multigrow serves standard
interactive web pages so that any
computer, tablet or smartphone can have
full access, password permitting. This
brings a whole new level of convenience
to greenhouse control systems.
General features of the Multigrow
system include an astronomical clock
(auto sunrise/sunset), interface to wi-fi

tablet, multi-level access password,
and it is easy to install, use, service
and expand.
For climate control, the Multigrow can
control roof and side vents, fan/pad
evaporative coolers, heatpump heating,
cooling and dehumidification, weather

In Australia Powerplants, 27 Technology
Circuit, Hallam, Vic 3803, Australia,
Ph: (03) 8795-7750 Fax: (03) 8795-7752
Email: admin@powerplants.com.au
Website: www.powerplants.com.au
In New Zealand - Autogrow Systems Ltd, 5
Douglas Alexander Parade, North Harbour,
Auckland, New Zealand 0632
Ph: +64 9 4152380 Fax: +64 9 4152381
Website: www.autogrow.com
HYDROPONIC RAW MATERIALS

Calcium Nitrate Yara
Potassium Nitrate
Mono Potassium Phosphate
Potassium Sulphate
Mono Ammonium Phosphate
Magnesium Sulphate
Potassium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Ammonium Nitrate
Trace Elements: Borax, Manganese
Sulphate, Zinc Sulphate, Copper
Sulphate, Sodium Molybdate
CHELATED TRACE ELEMENTS
Iron EDTA, Iron DTPA, Iron EDDHA
Rexolin Q, Manganese EDTA,
Zinc EDTA, Copper EDTA,
Rexolin APN
GRODAN
Propagation Blocks
Propagation Cubes
Keimplug in Trays
Wrapped Slabs
Plain Slabs
BRINKMAN
Bato Clips, Hooks, Twine,
Hygiene Mats, Pollinators,
Eclipse Whitewash
NUTRIENT BLENDS/MIXES
Powder Blends: Tomato, Gerbera
Strawberry, NFT Lettuce/ Herbs
Carnation, Lisianthus
Liquid A & B Grow or Bloom
ORGANIC CROP CONTROL
Eco Oil, Aminogro, Acadian Seaweed
Azamax (Neem), Synertrol Horti Oil,
Eco Carb
GROWING MEDIA
Perlite
Vermiculite
Canunda Shell
Coco Wrapped Slabs
Growool Premium Floc
Coco Blocks
Orchid Chip
DURALITE HORTICULTURE
SUPPLIES
54 OLD DANDENONG ROAD
HEATHERTON
AUSTRALIA. 3202
Contact: DAVID FRANCIS
Ph. (03) 9551 6756
Fax. (03) 9558 0382
www.duralite.com.au
Checkweighing simplifiedMeeting supermarket demands

Larger supermarket chains are now making checkweighing and metal detection
compulsory for their fresh produce suppliers, and A&D Weighing is getting some
serious traction with its latest technology in this sector with its higher spec and
lower price than existing systems.
A&D are now delivering their EZI Check checkweighing and metal detection
systems to Australasian customers. According to Sales & Marketing Manager, Mr
Julian Horsley: Quality Control and reporting demands on the
manufacturer/grower are more stringent than ever, so is the demand for precise
and high speed inspection systems.
Weve been manufacturing checkweighers locally for some years, building
strong IP in the dynamic weighing sector, Horsley added. It was no surprise when
A&D Japan selected Australasia to launch their new inspection range.
Aside from increased QA/QC and reporting demands, manufacturers/growers are
seeking to reduce the giveaway of excess product, while ensuring they meet or
exceed legal weight requirements.
A&Ds EZI-Check system can move products at high speeds. The innovative
checkweigher can weigh two-hundred products/minute with 0.1g precision.
Coupled with a metal detector, it becomes a complete inspection solution.
A&D have designed the EZI Check system from the ground up, utilising their
high speed Digital Signal Processing (DSP) expertise and global specialisation in
high speed analogue to digital technology, resulting in simpler mechanical design
than conventional systems. Further cost savings emerge because it can be shipped
in simple flat packs, reducing shipping costs, and facilitating easy assembly by a
local A&D partner. These innovations result in a lower cost without compromising
the technical specification, which includes touch screen display, USB data capture,
SUS304 construction and IP-65 moisture and dust protection.
A&D states its philosophy as designing products that are easy to service without
special tools or technicians, affording customers years of quality performance, local
support, and far lower cost of ownership.
The full metal detection, checkweighing and reject system in operation can be
viewed on Checkweighing Simplified on YouTube.
A&D was the recipient of the Best Exhibit award at the recent Protected
Cropping Australia conference held in Melbourne, Australia.
A&D Weighing (Head Office), 32 Dew St, Thebarton, SA 5031
Ph: (08) 8301-8100 Fax: (08) 8352-7409
Email: support@andweighing.com.au
Website: www.andweighing.com.au
Water Distribution System

WDP is a complete water supply and drainage system for
wetting of evaporative cooling pad walls. Distributed by
Munters Pty Ltd, the complete system includes gutter
system, water tank, water pump, water supply and drainage
kit, pad wall stabilisation and ending kit.
The WDP system has been specifically designed to ensure
even wetting of the CELdek evaporative cooling pad,
continuous water recirculation and mechanical stabilisation
of the pad wall.
Technology basis
The WDP system has a modular design, which allows for
high flexibility in matching desired length of the pad wall
(usually a multiple of standard pad width 600mm).
The pressurised water is supplied at the top of the
CELdek evaporative cooling pad via a distribution header.
The distribution header has small calibrated holes
orientated upwards. This design feature prevents clogging
and ensures efficient water distribution over the entire
wall. This is true even in cases where the evaporative c
ooling pads are not perfectly horizontally aligned, for
example, due to ground movement.
Features and benefits
Quick and easy installation

Easy maintenance and cleaning
Flexible positioning of the water supply and discharge
Resistant to corrosion (stainless steel 304, epoxy precoated galvanised steel)
Designed to ensure an even wetting of the entire pad wall
Stablisation of the pad wall
Fits any size of pad in height and width
Available as complete system with all fitting parts.

Munters Pty Ltd, Unit 2, 148 James Ruse Drive, Parramatta,
NSW 2150, Australia
Ph: +61 2 8843-1594 Fax: +61 2 8843-1570
Email: sudhee.satyan@munters.com.au
Website: www.munters.com.au
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YOUCANlTDPOUSPMIT
$IFDLXFJHIJOH
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Checkweighing
Simplified
1800 241 434

andweighing.com.au
PyGanic broad spectrum

insect control
Organic Crop Protectants (OCP) has
been operating in Australia since 1991.
It is a leading manufacturer and
distributor of crop protection and
nutritional products for growers who
are focused on Integrated Pest and
Disease Management (IPM).
At the recent Protected Cropping
Australia trade show, OCP showcased
its new PyGanic organic insecticide for
broad spectrum insect control. PyGanic
is based on natural pyrethrum, a
botanical insecticide derived from
chrysanthemum daisies grown in
Tasmania and other parts of the world.
It has no residues so can be used up to
the day of harvest.
PyGanic is a fast knockdown
insecticide making it compatible with
IPM due to the fact that no residues
remain after spraying. The product is a
known insecticide resistance breaker
because the natural variation of
pyrethrins in the product prevents
insects building any resistance.
PyGanic is the only IFOAM, NOP,
BioGro and BFA Registered organic
pyrethrum insecticide because it does
not contain Piperenoyl butoxide (PBO) or
other prohibited solvents. This means it
is suitable for use on organic farms.
For best performance, OCP
recommend buffering the pH of the
PyGanic spray solution to 5.5-7.0, and to
apply the solution with Synertrol Horti
Oil. Monitor for insects and apply the
spray early in the pest insect life stage.
PyGanic is a contact insecticide and
good coverage is key. Consider early

morning, late evening or night
application.
Pyganic can be tank mixed with
AzaMax for hard-to-kill insects. Apply to
pest insects when they are most active.
AzaMax is another of natures
insecticides. It contains bontanical oils
and concentrated botanical extracts
from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica
A.Juss). Azadirachtin is one of the most
widely researched botanical extracts in
the world and controls insects by
disrupting the hormonal systems that
regulate feeding, growth, development
and reproduction. AzaMax affected
insects stop feeding, stop moulting (stop
growing) and lose interest in mating and
egg laying.
OCP is best known for Eco-oil,
Australias first botanical organic
miticide/insecticide made from 100%
Australian-grown oils. Eco-oil controls a
broad range of insects, including scale,
mites, aphids, whitefly and leafminer.
Because Eco-oil uses light botanical oils
that boil off plant surfaces fast, there is
less risk of burning foliage with Eco-oil
than with white oil and other
mineral/petroleum oil sprays. This also
allows Eco-oil to carry no withholding
period for edible crops.
OCP has an enviable reputation as an
innovator and developer of organic crop
protectants with a focus on Research
and Development. The company
rigorously test their products for
consistency, safety and efficacy to
maintain its reputation for quality
products backed by a high level of
technical support.
The company is focused on food
production that supports bio-diversity
and builds the fertility and stability of
our ancient and fragile soils. They
believe agroecology and restorative
agricultural practices are the
cornerstone of the continuing
prosperity of Australian Agriculture and
its image as a supplier of Clean &
Green produce.
Organic Crop Protectants
Ph: 1800 634 204
Email: info@ocp.com.au
Website: www.ocp.com.au
GeoPot plant container

The GeoPot plant container attracted
considerable interest among visitors to
the Protected Cropping Australia trade
show. Novel and practical, the reuseable
GeoPot, distributed in Australia by
Growhard Australia, is made of fabric,
which is both waterproof and UVresistant. The novel aspect of the fabric
container is the option of Velcro seams,
which allows the side of the container to
open for easy removal of the root ballit
makes transplanting quick and easy with
the least amount of transplant shock.
According to the product brochure,
the GeoPot is made of a breathable
fabric, that air prunes the plants roots
when they reach the edge of the
container. This air root pruning process
forces the roots to branch out with more
fibrous feeder roots, which are more
efficient in taking up water and
nutrients. The porous fabric allows air
into the root zone and provides good

drainage, creating a healthy
environment for the roots. This
combination of air root pruning and the
aeration of the root zone, allows plants
to reach their full potential.
With optional handles for easy
carrying, the GeoPot comes in a choice
of tan or black coloursthe tan colour
blends in well with the natural
environment. All the seams are sewn
with a high-quality bonded polyester
thread that will withstand constant
moisture and UV exposure.
Available with square or round bottom,
the self-supporting GeoPot is available in
sizes from gallon (1.9L) to 400 gallons
(1520L) at a good price. The fabric plant
container is designed for years of
continuous use.
For further information go to the Growhard
Australia store locator: Website:
www.growaustralia.com/store-locator
Gold Label HydroCorn

Another interesting product from the
same company is Gold Label Hydrocorn
(clay pebbles), which are manufactured
using a mix of the best quality pure
clays. The pebbles are baked in an open
furnace using high grade fuels,
guaranteeing the absence of heavy
metals and other contaminants.
Gold Label Hydrocorn carries the RHP
quality mark for horticulture, which
guarantees quality, stability and crop
safety. In the Netherlands, the RHP

foundation is responsible for the
certification of substrates for consumer
and horticulture. If you buy RHP certified
substrates, the complete process from
base materials to production and storage
is guaranteed. This means that the
product satisfies the highest chemical
and physical requirements, and are low
in weeds and free of pathogenic germs.
This is all to guarantee a safe and
reliable application to the grower.
This non-degradable, sterile growing
medium holds moisture, has a neutral
pH, and also will wick nutrient solution
to the root systems of plants. Hydrocorn
is also recyclable, it can be cleaned,
sterilised and reused again.
Gold Label has been a market leader in
manufacturing substrates in Holland for
many yearsdating back three
generations. The company has a long
history of innovation, product
improvement and quality certification.

The companys professional substrates
and nutrients are the result of using the
finest materials in the market, and
listening to the feedback from customers.
Every bag of Gold label substrate is
guaranteedeach batch is checked for
quality and sampled before sale.
For further information go to the Growhard
Australia store locator: Website:
Gold label Hydro

Gold Label Hydro is a professional grade
mineral, a two-component base plant
nutrient for the vegetative and flowering
phases on hydroponic substrates such as
expanded clay pebbles (Gold Label RHP
Hydrocorn) and rockwool. Add A and B
in equal quantities or until the desired
electroconductivity (EC) is reached. The
chelated micro elements guarantee
optimum availability in a wide pH range.
Like all concentrated two-part
nutrients, never combine pure nutrients
together, always mix in water. Shake
the bottles before use, and store at
room temperature.
For optimum results, Gold Label Hydro
can be used in combination with Gold
Label Roots (a root and growth
stimulator with biological extracts of
kelp, humic acids and high quality amino
acids), Gold Label Ultra Mg (a
nitrogen/magnesium additive for all

plant development stages), and Gold
Label Ultra PK (a flowering additive
based on advanced polyphosphates and
chelated trace elements).
For further information and store locator,
contact the Australian distributer,
Gowhard Australia, website:
Gavita horticultural
lighting
Another innovative product showcased at
the biennial industry conference was the
Gavita GAN Electronic 600W High
Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamp, combined
with a highly efficient reflector. The
small footprint fixture is noted for its
reliability and efficient electronics, which
saves energy compared to
electromagnetic ballasts. The fixture is
also available in a dimmable version.
Gavita is among the oldest specialised
horticultural lighting companies, with 30
years of accumulated knowledge and
innovation. In 1994, Gavita introduced
their first GAN fixtures to the market,
and since then their innovations have
become industry standard. In 1995,
Gavita introduced the 600W HPS lamp; in
1998, the famous internal reflector lamp;
the Micro aluminium reflectors in 2002;
the first (adjustable) electronic ballast in
2003; and its solid state Light Emitting
Gavita GAN 600 Watt High Pressure Sodium

electronic light fixture.
Plasma fixture in 2010.

Specifically designed for use with
Philips 600 Watt 400V EL lamps, features
of the 600W HPS fixture includes its high
output and improved light spectrum,
sealed housing with Gore-Tex ventilation
plug, microprocessor driven LED status
indicator, very low heat dissipation and
optimal cooling, and Ecomax HR96
reflector said to be 96% efficiency. The
Australian distributer, Growhard
Australia, says the reflector loses about
10% of its reflectivity after extended use,
which is when it is time to replace the
lamp and reflector.
For further information and store locator,
contact the Australian distributor,
Gowhard Australia, website:
Analytical services
Of course, trade shows are more than
about physical products. They are also
about services. Among service providors
showcasing their services at the recent
industry conference was AgVita
Analytical Pty Ltd, who analyse water for
hydroponics, irrigation, waste water and
spray water.
In order to achieve representative
water sample, a composite sample made
up of 5-10 sub samples needs to be
taken. The sampling method will depend
on the source of water to be analysed,
and local guidelines may apply. Specific
water sampling standards and
guidelines are available from Standards
Australia (www.standards.org.au).
When using bottles other than those
supplied by AgVita, clean 500ml plastic
water drink bottles are suitable. They
should have a watertight lid and durable
to avoid damage in transit. Triple rinsing
with the source water to be analysed is
recommended to ensure it is clean before
sampling. Rinse water should be disposed
of away from the sampling site. Bottles
need to be identified with a completed
label available from AgVita Analytical.
AgVita Analytical Pty Ltd, PO Box 188,
Devonport, Tas 7310
Ph: (03) 6420-9600 Fax: (03) 6427-0230
Email: info@agvita.com.au
Website: www.agvita.com.au
In search of a high
yielding truss tomato
with good colour and
uniform fruit?
Endeavour RZ is a Rijk Zwaan truss
tomato variety that is setting a new
benchmark for both yield and quality.
As a high yielding, large truss tomato
variety producing fruit in the 140-160g
range for long-term greenhouse crops,
Endeavour RZ has shown itself to be a
variety that offers growers many
benefits. Its well-balanced plant habit
provides growers with a labour-friendly
crop that has good setting of flowers and
an open plant habit with a head that
follows the string.
Rijk Zwaans Technical Representative

Phill Ritchie attended the Protected
Cropping Australias Conference.
Endeavour RZ has a unique position
in todays market as it combines high
quality fruit and truss formation with
exceptional yield, he said.
From my perspective, the key attributes
of the fruit of Endeavour RZ are its
consistent shape in adverse hot conditions.
in addition to its firmness, resulting in long
shelf life, all of which combine to give
consistent high quality presentation.
Endeavour RZ is a strong but wellbalanced plant that gives it some
versatility in relation to planting dates
and growing locations. Endeavour RZ
can be successfully planted in many of
those timeslots not typical of more
vigorous truss tomato types, said Phill.
Its also very encouraging to see that

Endeavour RZ has proven itself in the
Adelaide plains market as an ungrafted
truss option on a single leader
producing a quality truss tomatoes, and
this really highlights the versatility of
Endeavour RZ as a reliable and grower
friendly variety, he added.
Internationally, Endeavour RZ has had
success in many countries, including
Mexico, Canada and Western Europe. In
each of these regions, quality and yield
have been the driving factor influencing
variety choice.
Phill Ritchie
Ph: 0438 592 425
Email: pritchie@rijkzwaan.com.au
Website: www.rijkzwaan.com.au b
Pathways to Production
he controlled environment horticulture industry is the
fastest growing food producing sector in Australia, where
hydroponics and greenhouse technology has emerged as
a commercial alternative to soil-based systems.
According to AUSVEG (2010), of the 9000 vegetable growers in
Australiadirectly employing 100,000 people39% are
involved in controlled environment horticulture. These
The right partner

for your greenhouse projects
Van der Hoeven is internationally recognized as one of

the leading suppliers of turnkey greenhouse projects.
Building over 80 hectares in the last ten years, Australia
has become a very important market for Van der Hoeven.
By adapting the latest Australian building regulations and
OH&S standards and working closely with local parties,
Van der Hoeven proves to be the right partner for your
greenhouse project.
P.O. Box 5115 | 2600 GC Delft (Holland) | t +31(0)88 262 66 66

f +31(0)88 262 66 69 | e info@vanderhoeven.nl
www.vanderhoeven.nl
statistics do not include other sectors of the industry.

The controlled environment horticulture industry, also
known as the Protected Cropping Industry, consists of five
main segmentsvegetable, floriculture, herb and leafy
greens, fruit and nursery production. All these sectors are
expected to expand further over coming years. This
expansion is being driven by market demands for safe,
quality produce on a consistent basis, that is well-priced and
uses sustainable and resource-efficient production methods.
The retail sector continues to signal to the industry that over
the next eight to 10 years, they would like to increase the
availability of greenhouse vegetables from current levels.
Many other horticultural products are also grown
hydroponically in Australia.
This is where GOTAFE comes into the picture, to reduce the
impact of skills shortages. GOTAFE Horticulture is playing an
increasingly important role to build capability,
professionalism and innovative capacity in the controlled
environment horticulture segment of the Australian
workforce, through nationally accredited qualifications
tailored and customised to meet the specific learning needs of
individuals and horticultural businesses.
GOTAFE has been involved in the hydroponics and protected
cropping industry for more than a decade. During this time it
has been working closely with industry in identifying training
needs and tailoring courses to suit. Lack of training and
skilling options within the industry, and a lack of pathways
from school to the industry were recognised as serious
challenges for the industry.
GOTAFEs review of the industry identified that basic skills
training in specialised horticulture subjects such as plant
physiology and greenhouse environment management is
required to increase grower productivity or viability. To ensure
there is development and growth in the industry, skills
training at all levels is required. As a result of the review, the
Pathways to Production project was developed, which
highlights skills gaps and provides analysis of growers needs.
GOTAFE industry trainer Leigh Taig was a key member of

the Pathways to Production working group. He undertook an
ISSI (International Specialised Skills Institute) Fellowship to
look at training methods and industry practice in The
Netherlands. He also completed a two-week course at PTC+
in The Netherlands, conducted by industry expert Ben van
Onna. PTC+ is recognised as a leading educational
organisation in controlled environment horticulture.
GOTAFE is committed to assisting industry to identify,
pursue and achieve growth and development. They help
businesses to succeed through the provision of quality,
customised industry training, anytime, anywhere. GOTAFE
analyse employees existing skills and knowledge needs, and
targets training which will minimise time off the job and
maximise benefits to the business. GOTAFE Horticultre works
closely with industry to provide training that suit the needs of
employers and industry associations. Industry workshops and
short courses are held regularly and include:
Hydroponicsgetting started
Hydroponicsintroduction to hydroponics
Converting to closed systemsconverting existing free
drainage systems to totally closed recirculation systems
Greenhouse Technical Management Program
environmental control, plant physiology, fertigation
technology, climate control, IPM and post-harvest handling.
GOTAFE Horticulture also offer certificate courses, including
Certificate II, Certificate III and Certificate IV in Production
Horticulture. The Certificate II in Production Horticulture
course has been designed to develop skills for employment as

a horticulture worker. This is a one year part-time course
available as a traineeship or school-based apprenticeship.
Certificate III in Production Horticulture is to develop skills for
employment as a greenhouse or horticulture tradesman in the
Protected Cropping Industry and Certificate IV in Production
Horticulture aims to further develop technical skills for use in
the industry.
GOTAFE Horticulture offer a Diploma of Production
Horticulture, a two-year flexible course for those seeking to
advance their career in greenhouse production, with an
emphasis on supervision and management. The course
provides theoretical knowledge for establishing and
managing a sustainable and productive controlled growing
environment such as a greenhouse for vegetable, nursery or
cut flower production.
GOTAFEs products and services reflect real industry skill
requirements and are designed to foster innovative thinking and
practice, while combining theoretical with practical learning.
GOTAFE Horticulture training and business solutions are
engaging and inclusive, responsive and flexible, simple and
cost-effective, and results driven.
For information on traineeship programs, short courses,
customised training options for your business or staff, and
Certificate and Diploma courses, contact:
GOTAFE Horticulture Ph: 1300 468 233
Email: enquiry@gotafe.vic.edu.au
Website: www.gotafe.vic.edu.au b
New Partnership
De Ruiter and Chisholm Institute
Tony Bundock (right), Controlled Environment

Horticulture Leader at Chisholm Institute.
e Ruiter has announced a new partnership with the

Chisholm Institute of TAFE in the Living Proof
experience centre. The centre is an innovative
glasshouse facility at Cranbourne, Victoria, that
offers computer-based and practical training resources to
enable a learning by doing approach. De Ruiter have a range
of protected culture seeds and rootstocks available and is part
of Monsanto.
The Living Proof experience centre will be a place for us
to showcase and learn about all current and future varieties,
says Rachel Palumbo, Sales and Marketing Lead for Monsanto
(Australia and New Zealand).
It really allows our customers to experience our products
firsthand, and enables us to share our innovative knowledge
with our customers, she said.
Chisholms $1.5 million glasshouse facility was built in
2010 and is the only purpose built training centre of its kind
in the southern hemisphere with state-of-the-art facilities.
The centre offers accredited courses in production
horticulture and has a range of students who train either full
time or via blended learning, offering on the job training and
shills recognition.
We first started having discussions about a potential
partnership in 2012 with De Ruiter Business Manager, Josip
Balint, says Tony Bundock, Controlled Environment
Horticulture Leader at Chisholm Institute.
We both felt that there was some great potential for us to
work collaboratively.
We planted our first De Ruiter tomato crop in March and in
June we will be planting 20 further varieties of tomatoes.
These will allow growers to visit the glasshouse and see how
the varieties respond in Australian conditions, he said.
Our end aim is to work collaboratively with De Ruiter and
establish the glasshouse as a 'Living Proof' centre for
glasshouse tomatoes. De Ruiters partnership with Chisholm
will enable us to showcase our varieties to local growers in
our own state-of-the-art environment, he added.
It also provides the opportunity to test shelf-life, conduct
trials, and get to know the capabilities of our varieties
intimately, said Josip Balint, De Ruiter Business Manager,
Monsanto ANZ.
Chisholm Institutes Controlled

Environment Horticulture facility.
Josip has been involved from very early planning stages

and has had hands-on involvement, from the planting of the
crop onwards, said Tony Bundock. He provides technical
advice on the requirements of each variety and works with
our consultant, Ronald Dyvestijn, to get the best results out
of the plants.
We view the partnership as an ongoing project and aim to
work with De Ruiter to establish a world-class demonstration
centre, while also up-skilling the industry in all aspects of
greenhouse crop growing.
We see the project as a win-win situation for both
parties, he ended.
For more information on the Chisholm institute and its
undergraduate and short courses, go to the website:
www.chisholm.edu.au/ b
Fertiliser mix and nutrient solution calculations

for hydroponics and soilless media
Chisholm Institute and Haifa Fertilisers will present a specialised training course for the hydroponics industry on 17
September 2013. The objective of the seminar is to inform
participants about the available soluble fertilisers, mixing
limitations, nutrient level calculations and stock solution
preparation via theoretical and hands-on exercises.
The one-day seminar will take place at the Chisholm Institutes National Precision Growing Centre, 2 New Holland
Drive, Cranbourne, Victoria. The costs is AU$300 per person,
plus GST. The event commences at 8:30am and ends at 5pm.
For further information contact: Tony Bundock, Ph: (03)
5990-7163 Email: tony.bundock@chisholm.edu.au
Best Exhibit - A&D Weighing.
PCA Conference 2013

The 12th Protected Cropping Australia Conference and Trade Show recently held
in Melbourne, was the most successful Australian industry conference that I have
attended in terms of delegate numbers, exhibitors, content and organisation.
By STEVEN CARRUTHERS
he 12th Protected Cropping Australia (PCA) Conference

and Trade Show was held at the Pullman Melbourne
Albert Park, Victoria, from 28-31 July 2013, and attracted
364 commercial growers and suppliers from Australia,
NZ, Asia and Europe. The PCA is the peak Australian
organisation for the commercial greenhouse, hydroponics and
aquaponics industry, which is funded and managed by
commercial growers and allied industries.
The conference program followed the usual format of a
keynote address, presentations, workshops and farm tours;
but the program was much more flexible than in previous
years, allowing growers to attend Tailored Tuesday for
specialty workshopscut flowers, fruit and vine crops, herbs
and leafy greens, and aquaponics.
The biennial industry conference is always held in winter
when grower workload is least; but even then, commercial
food and flower production is a seven-day job and it was
pleasing that many growers found the time for a day visit.
industry shrinkage and wage cuts as a result of the European

recession. With an economy better than most, Australia is
perceived as a growth region, a place to develop new business.
Among Australian exhibitors, there was quiet optimism
about the growth of the industry, although some admitted it
has been a difficult period with a high dollar and a slowing
economy. Some pointed to the business uncertainty as the
nation crawls its way towards a Federal election. Its a
sentiment reflected across all industries.
My overall impression is that the Australian protected
cropping industry is still growing, albeit more slowly that its
estimated 4% year-to-year growth before the global financial
crisis. There are new projects underway on the Virginia Plains
in South Australia and elsewhere, and it was good to hear that
Australian suppliers are in the mix for planned future projects.
The Industry has also seen growth in new crops, including
blackberries and blueberries.
The keynote
On Tailored Tuesday for day-trippers, I particularly focused

on the aquaponics workshops with expert speakers from
Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Australia. The
workshops were attended by 35 delegates, including growers,
horticulture students and industry experts. The integration of
aquaculture and hydroponics is an expanding technology as
researchers develop better systems and management
protocols. The workshops highlighted the good, bad and ugly
of commercial aquaponics.
The workshops began with a presentation by Dr Nick Savidov
from Alberta Ag & Rural Development Canada, who reported
on commercial aquaponic developments in Canada.
Dr Savidov is best known for
his two-year research project
comparing greenhouse growing
of plants under both aquaponic
and inorganic hydroponic
regimes. He described
aquaponics as an example of a
multi-trophic food production
system where fish manure is
microbially converted into plant
nutrients, and plants remediate
the water through absorption of
minerals prior to returning the
Dr Nick Savidov.
water to fish.
Aquaponics represents an artificial ecosystem, where each
component works synergistically to produce food with minimal
water inputs and nutrient recycling, and does so with minimal
environmental impact, said Dr Savidov.
The technology has been gaining considerable public
interest in recent years, he added.
Dr Savidov described the progress made in the development
of a fully automated commercial aquaponic system located in
Brooks, Alberta, Canada.
The results of this workit is the only agricultural operation
which produces no waste, liquid or solid, noted Dr Savidov.
The major areas of improvement over earlier aquaponic
systems are the solids capture system, bio-mineralisation
The keynote address by

Professor Jurgen Kleinwachter
from Germany, was a fascinating
look into the future with light and
optic technology for commercial
greenhouses. He spoke about
developing technology that will
capture light and separate its
various components, such as
radiant heat and colour
spectrum; and refractors that
Prof. Jurgen Kleinwachter.
will replace reflectors to
concentrate light levels.
Prof. Kleinwachter is a physicist and inventor, who has
dedicated himself to the research and application of solar
technology for 30 years. His work in lightweight optics,
thermo-dynamic and concentrator photovoltaic systems, has
led to the development of systems with the potential to secure
energy self-sufficiency for a wide range of applications, from
small villages to commercial glasshouses.
One greenhouse will power two, he said.
Prof. Kleinwachter represents a new breed of scientists, best
described as bio-physicists. A larger article on Prof.
Kleinwachters ideas and technological innovations will appear
in a future issue of Practical Hydroponics & Greenhouses.
The Trade Show

At this years conference, I focused on the Trade Show while
delegates attended presentations and workshops. Thats not to
understate the quality of the presentations, which all received
high ratings in the post-conference survey. My main focus was
to gauge the health of the industry, and who better to talk to
than leading industry suppliers during the quiet times.
There were 48 booths showcasing products and services from
Australia, New Zealand, Israel, China and Holland. The large
Dutch presencefive installation and system suppliers, and
support personnel assisting Australian distributersis a
pointer to the current situation in Holland, which has seen
Aquaponics workshops
processes and oxygen delivery system.

The Brooks system has 84m2 of plant bed with floating
rafts, and four fish tanks (total volume 20m3). This pilot-scale
operation produces 3.7 tons of tilapia and 3.5 tons of basil
annually. Trials were also conducted with substrate-grown
long English cucumber, cluster tomatoes and bell peppers,
with yields comparable with commercial hydroponic
production. Dr Savidov noted the latter did not have the
additional revenue stream from fish sales.
Dr Savidov also discussed the challenges facing commercial
aquaponics. He cited negative public perception, lack of
qualified people, lack of public awareness, outdated food
safety regulations and organic certification, as major
challenges for commercial aquaponics.
The second workshop was presented by Australian
aquaponics expert Dr Wilson Lennard from Aquaponics
Solutions (www.aquaponic.com.au/), who outlined the truths,
realities and fallacies of aquaponics. He said that interest in
aquaponics had accelerated in the last three years with more
practitioners, associated business entities and individual
experts appearing in the market. He spoke about the
Internet Effect, the New Industry Effect and Aquashysters, and the effect of turnkey operators, which he
described as rampant.
With most aquaponicists coming from a fish background, Dr
Lennard focused on several key areas and placed them into a
context that hydroponic growers could understand. He
highlighted that there were hardly any aquaponic operations
over 2000m2most are under 1000m2 of plant growing area.
There are few, if any, large-scale, financially viable models
or businesses, he noted.
The vast majority of
practitioners arise from the
hobby sector of aquaponics.
Few commercial
practitioners come from
either established
hydroponics or recirculating
fish farming, he said.
Dr Lennard stated that most
information available on
aquaponics is based on tilapia,
Dr Wilson Lennard.
which is a banned fish in
Australia. The main freshwater
species farmed in Australia are Barramundi, Jade Perch,
Murray Cod, Silver Perch, Goldern Perch, trout, catfish, eels,
yabby and ornamental fish.
Dr Lennard said he would like to see comparative quality
tests between aquaponic and hydroponic-grown produce. At
first I thought this was a bridge too far, like trying to compare
the quality and nutrition of produce grown in hydroponics to
soil and organic produce, but during the panel discussion that
followed at the end of the workshops, the experts highlighted
there were some unique benefits in aquaponics produce that
they would like to measure and quantify.
The third workshop was presented by Paul van der Werf,
who gave a realistic perspective to the integration of
aquaculture and hydroponics.
Mr van der Werf is President of the NSW Aquaculture
Association and Director of the Earthen Group
Dr Len Tesoriero was the recipient of the

industrys highest award.
Aquaponics Workshop panel - (LtoR) Dr Nick Savidov, Dr Wilson Lennard, Paul van der Werf,
Dr Mike Nichols, Prof. Jurgen Kleinwachter, Hogan Gleeson and moderator Graeme Smith.
(www.earthangroup.com.au), an aquaculture consultancy service

for integrated farming systems. He is also a research coordinator for Australian Aquatic Biological (www.aabio.com.au/),
and a consultant to three other companies.
Mr van der Werf said that this year we will consume more
food than we produce for the sixth time in 11 years. By 2050,
consumers will be forced to reduce their protein intake by
75%, he added. He pointed to United Nations advice to Invest
in Aquaculture.
Its a little known fact that 50% of fish consumed worldwide
is farmed. In Australia, the total value of the aquaculture

industry is estimated at $950 million/year, and land-based
freshwater fish farming represents $68.5 million/year or 7.2%
of the total aquaculture production value.
Wild catch fish flattened at 90 million tonne/year 10 years
ago, and farmed fish has increased 10%/year for the past
20 years, said Mr van der Werf.
He also discussed the capital cost breakdown for a
recirculating aquaculture farm scenario, production returns
and cash flow projections, nutrient make-up of waste water,
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capacity for plant production

from an integrated farm
scenario (plants and fish), and
the potential for industry
collaboration and integration.
He said there were tough
challenges moving forward.
The fourth workshop was
presented by Hogan Gleeson,
whose specialty is urban
agriculture, embracing organic,
permaculture, hydroponics and
aquaponics production systems. Paul van der Werf
Here, too, the information was
fascinating. Mr Gleeson highlighted that we will need to feed
10 billion people by 2060. He said that the human population
depends on five grains and five animals for protein, and pointed
to developments in new foods. He also noted that one-third of
all food is wasted. Mr Gleeson pointed to novel foods such as
insects, frogs, jellyfish, cultured meat and synthesised
sausage, GM foods, functional foods and a food printer, as
future food developments.
Mr Gleeson also touched on The Blue Economy, a concept
based on a book of the same name by Gunter Pauli. The book
expresses the ultimate aim that a Blue Economy business
model will shift society from scarcity to abundance "with what
we have", by tackling issues that cause environmental and
related problems in new ways.
Wikipedia says the book

aims to inspire entrepreneurs
to adopt its insights, by
demonstrating ways in which
this can create economic
benefits via job creation,
reduced energy use, and more
revenue streams from each
step of the process, at the
same time benefiting the
communities involved. The
Blue Economy is presented in
Hogan Gleeson.
14 chapters, each of which
investigates an aspect of the
world's economies and offers a series of innovations capable
of making aspects of those economies sustainable.
The aquaponics workshop ended with a lively and witty panel
discussion with industry experts.
Final remarks
The information presented in the keynote address and the
aquaponics workshops was fascinating. In the years ahead, we
are going to hear a lot more about new solar energy technology
for commercial greenhouses, the Blue Economy, retail
farming, urban roof-top greenhouses, and the development of
new edible plants and synthetic foods, among many other new
food production technologies. b
James Altmann monitoring in eggplant crop.
Neoseiulus californicus
Australian growers to benefit from new
production method for Neoseiulus californicus
Neoseiulus californicus is a predatory mite that primarily attacks spider mites, but
also feeds more generally on many leaf inhabiting mites, other small insects and
pollen. Following several years of development work, this predatory mite is ready to
take on a greater role in Australian IPM programs.
By MARILYN STEINER & STEPHEN GOODWIN
predatory mite which has been under development

in Australia for a number of years is set to assume a
greater role in integrated pest management
programs against two-spotted spider mite,
Tetranychus urticae. Neoseiulus californicus is frequently
found in a variety of habitats in Australia and elsewhere, but
did not lend itself well to early methods of mass production
using spider mite-infested beans. It was not economically or
practically feasible. In recent years, the use of substitute prey
in plant-free substrates has revolutionised mass rearing of
several natural enemies, including predatory mites.
Production of the thrips predator Neoseiulus cucumeris was
one of the first to take advantage of this novel technique,
using the mould mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae. At least two
species of different prey mite are now in use for N.
californicus production in Europe. After trying out various
alternatives in artificial off-plant rearing systems, James
Altmann, owner of Biological Services in Loxton, SA, is
confident he has found the right technique to enable him to
offer them to Australian growers at an affordable price with
security of supply. At one time more expensive than P.
persimilis, it can now be offered at around one tenth of the
cost. What do we know about this mite?
Geographic distribution
It was first described from California in 1954 where it was
collected from lemon trees, but it is naturally distributed
throughout the world in sub-tropical and temperate zones in
both arid and humid climates, including North and South
America and along the Mediterranean seaboard. Its point of
origin is a matter of speculation, but its widespread distribution
suggests either that it is very adaptive, perhaps having been in
those countries a long time, or that N. californicus is actually a
complex of species with morphological similarities.
In Australia, for example, a native species, Amblyseius
wearnei, first described by Schicha in 1987 from specimens
collected off skeleton weed in Canberra in 1971, fits the
description of N. californicus, which until recently was not
confirmed to be in Australia. The likelihood is that they are one
and the same, but unless the type species is examined, then it
Neoseiulus californicus feeding on two-spotted mite.
cannot be claimed with certainty that they are synonymous.

Nevertheless, N. californicus has now been confirmed in
Australia, so information relating to the species can be utilised,
with an understanding that not all strains, even those
occurring in Australia, will behave in exactly the same way. A
recent French study of 10 populations from around the world
found that while there were morphological differences, they
were all strains of N. californicus.
This predatory mite has been used for more than 10 years
for the biocontrol of two-spotted spider mite in greenhouses
throughout Northern Europe. Of particular interest to
insectaries is the variation in tolerance to extremes in climate.
A joint Austrian/Italian/Israeli research team examined eight
strains to find the ones most tolerant of low humidity that
could be further developed for commercial use. The tolerance
was exhibited primarily at the egg and juvenile stages, and it
was an existing commercial strain (designated BOKU),
originally collected from California, that proved the most
resilient and also performed best in field conditions.
Unfortunately, Israel, one of the countries which might benefit
most from an arid-tolerant strain, is not permitted to import it
(pers. comm. P. Weintraub).
Australias live import restrictions place it in a similar
position; however, James Altmann believes that the Australian
strain he now has in culture is well adapted to the extremes of
the Australian climate. He collected it in 2009 off stone fruit in
Renmark, South Australia, after a prolonged heat wave, where
it had been exposed to both high temperature and low
humidity extremes plus a variety of pesticides used against
Carpophilus beetles. The founder colony is reared in a
greenhouse where climate control is only switched on at 350C.
The predators have been periodically exposed to
organophosphates, synthetic pyrethroids and spinosad to
maintain tolerance to these chemical groups.
General biology
Neoseiulus californicus is <1mm long, pear-shaped and buff to
tan depending on food consumed. Males are much smaller and
darker. The sex ratio strongly favours females. Each female is
reported to lay up to 60 eggs, most in the first 7-10 days of
Neoseiulus californicus with two-spotted mite.

adult life. Reported adult female longevity ranges from 20 days

to 54 days, depending on conditions. For practical purposes,
consumption of spider mites is greatest for ovipositing
females. In one English study, where free water but no food
was provided, N. californicus was reported to live 18 days
compared with six days for P. persimilis, clearly an advantage
in enabling early establishment and persistence at low pest
levels. Eggs are pale, oval, and larger than those of spider
mites. They may be laid on leaf undersides or on leaf hairs, at a
rate of about three to four per day on a spider mite diet, about
half that of P. persimilis. There is a six-legged larval stage and
two eight-legged nymphal stages, all of which feed on at least
one spider mite stage.
The length of the life cycle is temperature dependent. In
greenhouse conditions it ranges from four to 10 days, but may
be considerably longer in the field at the lower range of its
temperature tolerance. Minimum temperature for
development is about 90C, though it will survive at
temperatures much less than this, and the maximum rate of
development is 330C, though it will survive temperatures over
400C. Relative humidity is more critical than temperature to
survival, hence the focus of research in finding strains more
resistant to low RH. While some populations are known to
diapause under winter conditions, James has not observed
diapause in his Australian strain.
Known food hosts
What is the target prey for N. californicus? While this species
was first described as a Type II diet generalist with a
preference for one particular prey, in this case the two-spotted

spider mite, it also shares characteristics of a Type III predator,
in that it can survive and reproduce on alternative foods. These
include other tetranychid spider mites (bean spider mite,
European red mite), tarsonemid mites (broad mite, cyclamen
mite), tenuipalpid mites (false spider mites), eriophyid mites
(tomato russet mite), thrips, pollen and nectar. It will not do as
well on these alternatives, but it enables the species to survive
when its main prey is absent. This is a distinct advantage in
regulating a pest population below an economic threshold as it
enables early introduction and establishment and less of a
crash and burn control strategy.
Integration with other biocontrol agents
The somewhat catholic tastes of N. californicus are of little
concern except for intraguild predation between itself and the
primary two-spotted spider mite predator Phytoseiulus
persimilis. This species, despite the best efforts of biocontrol
producers worldwide, is still reared in a tritrophic system
which involves plants, greenhouses and two-spotted spider
mites, precisely because it is a Type I predator with a very
restricted host range, and spider mites cannot be reared offplant, at least not yet. This undoubtedly adds greatly to the cost
of production, but this species is deservedly the mainstay of
spider mite control and it should not be considered defunct
because of predators like N. californicus.
Phytoseiulus persimilis will multiply much faster, search
plants more thoroughly, travel between plants more rapidly,
consume more spider mites, and provide more rapid control.
It is the ultimate crash and burn predator, because it builds up
rapidly but dies out when spider mites are no longer
numerous enough to sustain it. However, there are conflicting
data on whether P. persimilis is best used on its own or in
combination with N. californicus. As a generalist predator,
N. californicus is known to feed on P. persimilis eggs in the
absence of its preferred prey. The reverse is also true to a
much lesser extent, but P. persimilis cannot reproduce on
N. californicus eggs, whereas the latter can on P. persimilis
eggs. This gives N. californicus an advantage in the survival
stakes at low pest levels, and indeed, it has been known to
displace P. persimilis to the detriment of overall spider mite
control (pers. comm. B. Spencer, Applied Bionomics). On the
other hand, N. californicus is not able to control a runaway
population of spider mites, which P. persimilis can. Little is
known of its interaction with other natural enemies, but it will
not interfere with parasites like Encarsia and Aphidius or
predatory bugs such as Orius.
Integrating spider mite control in the real world
There are alternative strategies for utilising both predators to
take advantage of their strengths. It is still advocated to use
P. persimilis where it is providing good control through the
season on its own, for example, in strawberries, where it is
well suited to the environment (15-300C with high humidity).
In many other crops, particularly field crops such as melons
and tree crops, P. persimilis is difficult to distribute efficiently
and also tends to not move up into tree crops.
Ideally, N. californicus will complement P. persimilis by
providing a background level of control, saving P. persimilis for
situations where a rapid knockdown of spider mites is

required. During periods or in locations where climatic
conditions are unfavourable to P. persimilis, N. californicus may
be the predator of choice, using a compatible pesticide to
knock back any outbreaks of spider mite beyond a level that
N. californicus can manage.
While both N. californicus and P. persimilis prefer moderate
relative humidity over 60%, N. californicus is much better able
to withstand lower RH, and can also better withstand
temperature extremes. We have observed natural populations
in the Sydney Basin on field strawberries at temperatures
exceeding 350C. The tolerance to climatic extremes will give
some scope to improving IPM of spider mites in the low-tech
tunnel houses, unfortunately still all too common in many
areas of Australia. One further advantage of N. californicus is
its generally greater tolerance to pesticides, although this
should not be assumed to be universal.
Target crops
Neoseiulus californicus has been used overseas in such diverse
crops as ornamentals (roses, chrysanthemums, bedding
plants, pot plants, cut flowers, nursery stock grown under
cover), vegetables (capsicum, cucumber, eggplant), soft fruit
(strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), herbs and also field
crops (grapes, hops, corn, avocado, melons, pome fruit, stone
fruit, citrus). These crops offer opportunities for improving
biocontrol options but because of plant architecture will differ
in their suitability as host plants to both predator and prey.
Host plant strongly influences predator performance, which is
very active on pepper but less so on eggplant. Trials on
greenhouse capsicum in Australia have already returned some
very positive results. On tomato, trichomes inhibit movement,
so although N. californicus will feed on tomato russet mite,
tomato is not a suitable host.
Commercial usage
Predatory mites are supplied in shaker tubes containing
50,000 predators per litre in a vermiculite base. The market in
Australia is too small to justify the expense of putting them into
slow release sachets, which are sometimes used overseas.
These mites should always be used preventively, scattering
them evenly over foliage with extra in hot dry areas prone to
spider mite attack. Release rates overseas vary with supplier
and with crop. James recommends 10/m2 every two weeks for
two to three applications as a preventive treatment, 25/m2
weekly for at least two applications at first detection of mites,
and 200/m for hotspots. A low toxicity, short residual pesticide
is recommended for hot spots to prevent migration through the
crop, or use of P. persimilis if environmental conditions are
suitable. They should be released immediately on receipt. If
this is not possible, they can be stored at 8-100C in the dark in
well-ventilated conditions for one to two days, with the tubes
held horizontally to aerate them as much as possible. For
sachets in use overseas, recommendations are for a holding
temperature of 180C as it is a breeding unit containing host
mites more sensitive to low temperature. A recent study
demonstrated successful storage of N. californicus for 30 days
with no loss in viability when stored at 50C, 99% RH in
darkness, but it is not recommended you try this as it was
carried out under strict environmental management without

carrier material present.
The absence of plants in the rearing system confers
several advantages apart from cost savings associated with
the rearing method. So long as the substitute prey is
harmless to plants, which it is, the risk of pestiferous
hitchhikers such as thrips and mites on plant material is
avoided. This also greatly mitigates interstate quarantine
risks, allowing shipment to WA and Tasmania. High numbers
can be produced in a small area, which need only be an
environmentally controlled room. There is little wastage as
the material only has to be diluted with carrier to the
required density of predators and packaged ready for
sending out. This lends itself to extending the shelf life
through appropriate storage, and to improved efficiency in
packaging and delivery systems. Refining this production
methodology is a big step forward, which should allow a
wider range of crops and situations to utilise biological
control for their spider mite problems.
More information can be found on the Biological Services
website, www.biologicalservices.com.au/neoseiulus-w.html,
which will be updated as more practical information is
obtained on best practice usage.
About the authors
Marilyn Steiner and Stephen Goodwin are IPM consultants trading
as Biocontrol Solutions, based at Mangrove Mountain, New South
Wales. Email: sgoodwin.msteiner@gmail.com b
BIOL O GICAL
SERVICES
Commercial producers of benecial insects and

mites for integrated pest management programs
Neoseiulus cucumeris Thrips & Broadmite Control

Neoseiulus californicus Two Spotted Mite Control
Typhlodromus occidentalis Two Spotted Mite Control
Aphidius colemani Aphid Control
Aphidius ervi Aphid Control
Aphelinus abdominalis Aphid Control
Encarsia formosa Greenhouse Whitey Control
Eretmocerus warrae Greenhouse Whitey Control
Hypoaspis (miles & aculeifer) Fungus Gnat & Thrips Control
Dalotia coriaria (Rove beetles) Shorey, Thrips & Fungus Gnat Control
Aphytis melinus Red Scale Control
PO Box 501, Loxton SA 5333

Ph: 08 8584 6977 Fax: 08 8584 5057
Email: info@biologicalservices.com.au
Website: www.biologicalservices.com.au
Fog floating in descending cooled air at the centre path in a tomato

house. Note that the fog does not wet the concrete path or the plants.
Vent, Fog and Fan

PART 2
The heatwave across Eastern Australia in February 2009 seriously reduced tomato fruit
quality and yields. Outdoor temperatures soared to over 40 with very low humidities. Some
growers suffered severe and lasting crop damage. Heat stress, leaf scorch, flower drop,
fruit setting failures and blossom-end rot were some of the consequences. R.A. JOHN WHITE
says high temperatures must be expected in most years, and describes a plant-friendly
cooling system for Australian greenhouses.
Effectiveness of fogging with fan ventilation

Evaporative cooling systems have the ability to cool hot dry
air to a few degrees above the dew point of the hot air. The
Vent, Fog and Fan (VFF) system does cool the hot dry air
entering through the roof ventilators, but this is not its
main effect.
In the daytime, solar radiation entering through the
greenhouse roof provides a huge heat load, which can be
readily removed by ventilation when the outside air is cooler
than the desired greenhouse temp; but no amount of
ventilation can remove this heat when the outside air is
hotter than the greenhouse airbut the heat can be
absorbed by evaporation of fog. It is this radiation heat load
that indirectly heats the greenhouse air to high temperatures
when there is no cooling system. Some additional heat comes
in with the hot ventilation air and some heat by conduction
and convection through the glass cladding, but these sources
are very small compared to the radiation heat load.
The fog droplets are liquid water, which strongly absorbs
radiation, promoting their evaporation. The droplets are so
small that they evaporate quickly in low humidity air, so that
the evaporation process results in instant cooling of the air.
Cooled humid air sinks toward ground level and is drawn
along the pathways and out through the exhaust fans. Note
that both the heating load and the cooling process occur just
below the roof or shade screen and is evenly distributed over
the whole area of the greenhouse.
Misting in situations where high temperature is a regular
occurrence and persists for much of the daytime are
undesirable, because of the increased disease risk to wet
leaves. Evaporative cooling by transpiration and fogging is
dependent on there being sufficient ventilation and air
exchange to prevent an excessive increase in humidity in the
greenhouse air. All other cooling systems do not absorb the
radiant heat directly, but cool by mixing cold air with the hot
greenhouse air.
Pad and fan cooling systems cools hot, low humidity air
only during its passage through the wet pad. The only cooling
in pad and fan houses as the air is drawn across the
greenhouse is evaporative cooling by crop transpiration, and
since the quantity of cooling by transpiration is much smaller
than the amount of heating by solar radiation, the air
temperature progressively increases as the air flows from
the pad to the exhaust fans.
Mechanical cooling systems are under development in
Holland for use in semi-closed greenhouses; they dehumidify
and cool the greenhouse air with heat pump-like systems,
and like pad and fan, rely on mixing the cooled and warm
greenhouse air.
Most Australian greenhouses have shade screens, which
reflect back some proportion of the solar radiation, thus
reducing the heat load in the greenhouse; but since radiation
in summer often exceeds 1000 Watts per m2, the heat load
under a screen providing 60% shade in a glasshouse with
70% transmission is still 280 Watts/m2, a huge cooling load.
Air temperature increases of 5 between the pad and fan are
likely under this cooling load, but uniform air temperature
should be obtained over the whole of VFF cooled greenhouses.
Air temperatures were logged in aspirated screens at the

centre path and fan end in a 1ha Faber glasshouse with VFF
using sensors. The path to fan distance was 69m and during
the morning of a day with an outside maximum of 37, the
average temperature was 27.6 at the path, and 27 at the
fan. During the afternoon, the temperature in both places
averaged 28.6. Temperature and humidity was logged on a
morning when the outside maximum was 41.6, with the
average temperature increasing from 28with 81.8% RH, to
28.5 and 86.5% RH between the path and fan.
High night air temperatures and low humidity can be
countered using the VFF system, but heat loads are much
smaller (heat in the incoming hot dry air through the vents,
and heat coming in through the glass). Fog droplets will still
evaporate quickly in low humidity and provide sufficient
cooling with a much lower fogging rate.
Stress effects on tomatoes
During hot dry weather when plant stress is likely, controlling
the environment about the top of the crop, or about the heads
of tomato plants, is crucial to limiting the damage. New
vegetative growth, flowering ,fruit setting and early fruit
development is all occurring in this zone with consequences
on plant development and yield over many subsequent
weeks. The young expanding leaves are exposed to high
radiation intensity and if this is coupled with high air
temperature and low humidity, leaves can wilt and be
scorched once they are unable to cool themselves by
Heat stress on the plant head can scorch or limit the expansion of the
leaves, cause infertility of the immature truss, flower drop or poor set
in the flowering truss and blossom end rot in the set truss, with
possible consequences on yields four to six weeks later and possibly
even reduced performance for the remainder of the plants life.
transpiration. Prolonged high temperature and low humidity

can also inhibit full expansion of young leaves in the head,
resulting in the 'little leaf syndrome'.
Flower abortion is a common result of heat stress. Severe
stress at 35 by night has been reported to cause flower
abortion within 48 hours, while 35 by day resulted in flower
abortion four days later. Heat stress nine days before tomato
flowers open can cause the production of infertile pollen, and
can prevent pollen formation. About 70% RH is needed for

pollen to be able to germinate on the stigma, so low humidity
will result in poor fruit set. Fertilised ovules can also be
damaged by heat stress, adding to possible causes of poor
seed fill in fruit that does manage to set. Poor seed fill often
results in poorly shaped mature fruit.
The high demand for water for transpiration by leaves
surrounding newly set trusses of fruit has traditionally been
assumed to restrict the flow of water and calcium in to the
young fruit, resulting in blossom end rot. Blossom end rot is
almost always one of the first symptoms of heat stress. Some
Israeli research found that blossom end rot in peppers
increased from 35% of the fruit to 75% when the plants were
exposed to midday temperatures of 26 or 31 and when
neither the water or calcium supply to the pepper fruit was
limited. Dark grey-green patches around the blossom scar of
this size fruit is the first sign of blossom end rot.
Tomato fruit have very limited ability to transpire and hence
are readily heated to above air temperature by strong
radiation. Temperature gradients within developing fruit have
been blamed for fruit quality defects like blotchy ripening and
uneven colouring.
VFF is plant-friendly
Shade screening and fog combine to reduce the radiation
intensity about the heads of the crop, while surrounding the
heads with moving cooled and humidified air. This
environment is uniform over the whole area of the crop,
unlike pad and fan cooled crops where there are horizontal
gradients of temperature and humidity. Leaves should stay
dry when fogging is well controlled, but can be wetted if
radiation inside the greenhouse falls below 130W/m2, due to
slow droplet evaporation.
Fogging was found to reduce top leaf temperatures by 2 to
3 in Canadian experiments when leaves were wetted by
fogging. Cooling the air above or below the crop canopy has
been studied in Dutch research with the finding that cooling
below resulted in vertical temperature and vapour pressure
deficit gradients; cooling from above did not result in vertical
gradients. Vertical temperature gradients were measured
with data loggers in aspirated screens for one day at a point
halfway between the centre path and fan wall in a Faber
glasshouse with VFF.
The lowest temperature (26.7) occurred at the level of the
heads of the tomato, about 500mm below this the
temperature was 30.5, falling to 28.9 at about 1.6m above
ground, and was coolest at 28.5 just below the lowest leaves.
Managing VFF
Greenhouse computer systems commonly used in Australia
and New Zealand often have built-in misting control and fan
control linked to greenhouse air temperature and humidity.
The fan control may be part of the ventilation control or part
of the pad and fan control. These controls are designed to
work with outside air temperatures below the desired
greenhouse air temperature. Growers using VFF will need
to manually set these controls in a way that makes them
work for VFF.
It does not seem to be possible to automatically change
control from the normal situation of cooler outside air to hotter

outside air and the need for VFF. This is a nuisance since both
situations could occur within a day. When VFF is needed, the
grower needs to decide what greenhouse air temperature and
humidity is desirable and feasible under the expected
radiation, outside temperature and humidity expected.
For tomatoes, 28 and 75 to 80% humidity (VPD 0.8-0.9 kPa
or 5-7 g/m3) is desirable and will generally be feasible with
outside temperatures in the range of 35-40 with humidity
between 25 and 10%. The misting set points should be used
to obtain humidity within this desirable range, but the control
may also require setting limits for on and off burst time
limits. The windward vents will need to be manually closed
when starting to run VFF, and locked closed with the lee
vents set to operate with a minimum opening of 5% and a
maximum opening of 15%. The lee vent opening could either
be set and locked within this range or allowed to operate on
temperature with humidity over-ride . Sometimes, setting a
higher relative humidity may result in a lower air
temperature, but a lower temperature and higher humidity
can be more uncomfortable for greenhouse workers if the air
flow is limited by small vent openings.
VFF Economics
Fogging or misting is essential for humidification of
greenhouses in the arid regions of Australia and either shade
screens or whitewashing roofs is necessary to protect crops
from excess radiation, so that in most cases the only extra
capital cost for VFF is the cost of the fan installation. The
Swelling tomato fruit set prior to the heat set stress, do not
completely avoid damage risks.
extra operating cost for power used for fan operation is

small, since the fans only need to be used when the natural
ventilation rate is not adequate to provide the necessary
cooling and humidity control.
About the author
John White is a scientist and among the most experienced
consultants serving the greenhouse industry in Australia and
NZ. He is the principal of John White Horticultural Consultants,
which maintains a website (www.ghvi.co.nz) containing
greenhouse vegetable information for growers, and information
on the principles and processes used in managing greenhouse
crop production systems. b
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