nursery growers have a golden rule : 1 % more luminance entails 1 % more output . This mainly involves the PAR ( Photosynthetically Active Radiation ) part of sunshine . In the Netherlands , the Delft - based inauguration Fotoniq has developed a finish that converts ultraviolet into PAR and ensures a diffuse distribution of brightness . In other quarrel , more grow lighting in more property inside the greenhouse . back by the Innovation Program AgriTech , the software was tested at two veg raiser . " Taking part in an innovation process cost time and money , but this is something I make bold effort , " say founder Sadiq van Overbeek in a report from InnovationQuarter .

Sometimes , innovative idea get up by chance . Such was Fotoniq ’s case . conscientious objector - founder Sadiq van Overbeek was in the middle of a bicycle trip through the Westland a few long time ago . He saw the greenhouses and realized how important twinkle is for growers . This brought to mind a software that he had developed with his society but for which he had not yet been able to cogitate of an practical software . That finish converts ultraviolet radiation light to PAR igniter .

Things started moving quickly after that . Van Overbeek sought contacts in horticulture and was welcomed with subject arm . That resulted in a small-scale 50m2 trial at Koppert Cress nursery in Monster . The visitation showed that the coating on the greenhouse cover did indeed increase growth . " However , Koppert Cress grows cresses , which is a very dissimilar harvest compared to fruit vegetable . Bell pepper , tomato , or cuke agriculturist , for example , are not as concerned in growing as they are in production , " say Van Overbeek .

Later , a trial at a Alexander Graham Bell pepper cultivator also move well . And last class , Fotoniq was also able to test the coating in tomato and cucumber farms . Fred Schäpe , of Verkade Tomaten , from ’s - Gravenzande , said that " the coating works . The production improves , and the plants do well and are under less stress . "

Higher productionCorné van Boxel is a cucumber grower in Delfgauw . He take an clause in a trade powder magazine about Fotoniq ’s finishing , " which would increase the amount of get light by 8 to 10 % . That seemed interesting to me . I then post a message . And last yr , I get a call from Fotoniq , ask whether I want to take part in a test . "

Not much afterwards , the coat was hold to a 600 m2 area . Van Boxel noticed that there was better wanton dissemination inside the greenhouse . As a resolution , light was reaching more billet , and thus , more of the crop ’s farewell . The coating also provide supernumerary light inside the greenhouse on light days . That resulted in a slight 1.7 % increase in the production .

In the greenhouses of Verkade Tomatoes , the coat was even more efficient . 900 m2 of the greenhouse roof were treat there , and this resulted in about 3.1 % more production of truss tomatoes . Schäpe was very quenched . " This was just a trial . By coating an entire greenhouse , the improvement will only be greater . "

Growers are constantly line up the clime inside the greenhouse . They do that for an full division at once , therefore , for a large part of the greenhouse . The coating at Van Boxel and Verkade Tomatoes covered only part of the greenhouse cap . The growers did not control the climate found on the part with the coating but on the part without . Van Overbeek allege that " because of the coating , there was effective abstemious dispersal in the nursery , so the silver screen at the top of the greenhouse could be close after . That , in play , bear upon the temperature , humidity , and CO2 in the greenhouse , and thus growth . "

No one wants to be the first customerThe cooperation between Fotoniq and the two growers was potential in the model of the AgriTech Innovation Program . As a result , the two grower ran no financial risk in testing the coating . And that was the decide factor , grant to Schäpe . " Taking part in an innovation cognitive operation costs time and money . But this is something I dared do . "

" Investing in founding is exciting for an entrepreneur . The same sure as shooting applies to our coating . On average , a grower go independently for about thirty age . Our coating lasts eight year . In other words , by try our coating , a grower is taking a risk for a quarter of those thirty years . So it ’s a freehanded risk , " said Van Overbeek .

44,000 square toes metersConsequently , many entrepreneurs in horticulture are not at the head when it comes to embracing innovations , according to Van Overbeek . " Nobody wants to be the first customer but the second . Because why take a endangerment when your neighbor can take it , and all you have to do is wait ? We do everything we can to reduce the risk . That ’s why we fill the coated greenhouse with sensors for humidness , temperature , and spark . The grower can see that datum , and they can always call us if they have any questions . "

Whether Van Boxel and Schäpe will make up one’s mind to have their nursery completely covered by the finishing , they dare not say yet . After all , the investments ask are large . In any case , many growers have already made the decision . Due to the positive results of the studies with tomatoes and Cucumis sativus , the demand for the coating has increased enormously , sound out Van Overbeek . " The news has propagate like wildfire . Because of the positive consequence , we have received many asking for different crops . We have already sold 44,000 square meters ! "

seed : Innovation Quarter

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