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At Porta Nova, they are continuously looking for ways to make crop protection as sustainable as possible. After phasing out the use of fossil fuels and transitioning to fully electric operations, they turned their attention to the challenge posed by powdery mildew. How can mildew be prevented in roses? “Chemicals have long been the most logical solution for many growers, but that's exactly what we don't want,” says Bart van Os. “More and more synthetic chemicals are disappearing, and we want to remain at the forefront of the sector's sustainability efforts.”

Porta Nova has been pioneering the use of UV-C for powdery mildew control for several years. Since 2016, they have been searching for the ideal recipe and application of UV-C in crops. "The development of UV-C applications has gained significant momentum across the sector in recent years. After a testing phase with another partner, we knew exactly what our requirements were, and we sought out the best fitting partner. In this case, we chose Royal Brinkman in collaboration with Berg Hortimotive," says Bart. Together, the process has been optimized step by step using crop measurements and scout results. "What gets measured, gets managed, and without thorough testing, we don’t embark on new innovative techniques."

The results after the testing phase have been positive. Porta Nova is seeing significantly less powdery mildew in its roses. In addition, they have observed another effect of UV-C: it activates the roses' production of defense substances against mildew. “In essence, you’re helping the rose plant defend itself against mildew,” says Bart. The use of UV-C directly supports Porta Nova’s mission. They aim to significantly reduce the use of synthetic crop protection agents against mildew, without compromising the quality standards they set. This has been achieved. The next step is to grow roses without any form of synthetic insecticides and fungicides.

Do not hesitate to ask your questions to our specialist René Mondt using the form. We will respond to your question as soon as possible.

We are a global specialist in horticulture, with over 135 years of experience. 'Let’s improve together' reflects our approach. We believe that we can enhance horticulture 'only together' with growers, suppliers, and other partners. Our international network forms the foundation of our work. In our various areas of expertise within protected horticulture, we act as a knowledge partner. With more than 135 years in the horticultural sector, we understand the industry like no one else. Armed with this knowledge and a dedicated team of specialists, we assist growers worldwide in their continuous improvement.