Ivan Casteels, from Roam Technology, visits New Zealand for the first-time post Covid.

Recently Ivan Casteels, Business Leader Export, from Roam Technology was in New Zealand, he visited growers along with Grant Beare Director of Aquasan International. Aquasan International is the New Zealand distributor of Huwa·San disinfectants, developed by Roam Technology NV Ltd, Belgium.

Huwa·San technology harnesses the true, oxidizing power of hydrogen peroxide which is enhanced by the infusion of silver ions in an intricate process that stabilises and boosts the hydrogen peroxide. The result is a powerful multicomponent disinfectant able to destroy a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, and protozoa.

Other products supplied by Roam Technology include the Sili-Fert P range.  Sili-Fert P is a liquid silicon fertilizer enriched with micronutrients. All silicon is 100% soluble and 100% available for plant uptake. The product is easy to apply, within irrigation water or foliar application. Dosing Sili-Fert P correctly, and following the optimal treatment frequency, will allow the plants to develop their maximal natural resistance against abiotic stress.

Currently, several crops in the South Auckland area have issues with ‘cupping’ of the cucumber leaves.  This issue will cause production losses from the abortion of the fruit.  This following link explains the causes of the cupping. https://www.greenhousecanada.com/signs-your-greenhouse-cucumbers-need-calcium/

One issue is the lack of transpiration due to the environment conditions.  The greenhouses that have experienced cupping are high-tech greenhouses.  Basically, the better greenhouses, that retain heat, are the very environments that are easy to create a ‘dead environment’ if not enough ventilation/air movement occurs.  Sili-Fert P is a product that will help aid better mobilisation of fertiliser – it also has several key elements to reduce cupping.

Prevention is always better than cure.  Growers that regularly add Sili-Fert P have not observed as many issues with the cupping.  This may be down to other factors such as variety and climate.  Once a crop has cupping, spraying with Sili-Fert P is the best option, followed a week later by a root drench application of Sili-Fert P.  This may prevent new growth from cupping but will not reverse damage that has already occurred. (Note – cold irrigation water also a factor to consider)

The best approach is to apply Sili-Fert P before you have a problem.  In conjunction make sure your environment is as active as possible.  For more information about Sili-Fert P contact:

Image above from left Ivan Casteels and Grower technician Sundeep Singh of Leewang Hothouse, South Auckland.  The crops at Leewang Hothouse are regularly sprayed or drenched with Sili-Fert P.  No cupping was observed at the property.  The property on the right is one effected by the cupping of the leaf.  This was not previously treated with Sili-Fert P.

Ivan is no stranger to New Zealand having lived and worked in New Zealand in the greenhouse horticulture industry.   It was great to reconnect after all this time and hear about all the new innovations happening at Roam Technology and what growers are achieving in other parts of the world.

For your New Zealand Contact please 

Grant Beare| Aquasan International

Mob: +64 21 0200 8040

E: grant@educhem.co.nz

Cupping may cause a large reduction in production.