October 2016 3

Tomato largest vegetable category in the world The tomato category is the world’s largest - February 9, 2017: vegetable category, representing 16%. It is also a very fast growing category with an increase in production of 49% between 4th Tomato Inspiration Event 2000 and 2013. Global tomato production is currently around 130 million tons, of which 88 million are destined for the fresh market and 42 million are processed. The top 5 largest tomato producers are: China, EU, India, US and Turkey. They account for 70% of global production.

Mexico number one in exporting tomatoes Mexico is the world’s largest tomato exporter with over 1.5 million tons. Indeed, over half (52%) of the tomatoes consumed in the US come from Mexico. Benefits include a continuous supply during winter and low labour costs. Since 2005, the cultivation area has almost tripled, reaching more than 12,000 hectares in 2015. About 80% of investments focus on export to the US.

Spain produces most tomatoes in Europe The 4th Tomato Inspiration Event will be held on February 9, 2017. The event for international tomato growers will again Spain is the largest European tomato take place in Berlin during the week of the Fruit Logistica, making it possible for a large number of respresentatives from producer for the fresh market, growing the worldwide tomato business to attend. about a third of Europe's production. In 2015, Spain’s exports reached 950 million The Tomato Inspiration Event is an Salads from the United Kingdom, More information kg, 7.47% less than 2013 and 1.8% less than annual initiative by HortiBiz, organized Flandria brand from Belgium and Zeiler If you want to read more about the in 2014. The number of Spanish companies with a growing number of partners from Gemüsevertrieb from Austria. Tomato Inspiration Event, please visit exporting tomatoes in 2015 reached 638, the horticultural business. Together they This year the Tomato Inspiration Event the website for more details: of which 234 came from Almeria, 60 from invite the top 100 tomato growers in the will be supported by several companies www.tomatoinspirationevent.com. Here Murcia, 41 from Granada and 12 from Las world to meet in Berlin. The first edition in horticulture. Amongst them are you can also find photos and videos of Palmas. of the Tomato Inspiration Event was several new parties joining the event. previous editions. held in 2014. In 2017 we will host the 4th For now the date and location of the edition, welcoming growers, speakers, event are set, more about the program, North Africa growing as partners and press. The event enables the guest speakers en the nominees for tomato exporter to EU prominent tomato companies to meet the Tomato Inspiration Award 2017 will North Africa is becoming an increasingly and inspire each other and raise the be announced later. important tomato exporter to the EU. sector to an even higher level. Morocco is the leader, having doubled its export volume to the EU over the last Tomato Inspiration Award 10 years to 387,000 tons in 2014. Overall Also every year the Tomato Inspiration tomato exports from Morocco came to Award is presented to a tomato grower Colophon 485,373 tons in 2014, making the country with outstanding performance at a the 4th largest tomato exporter. Other specific level. In 2014 the award was Address: Middel Broekweg 3, North African producers are gaining in given to Windset Farms from Canada in 2671 ME , The Advertising sales: importance, like Tunisia and Senegal. the field of marketing and sales, while [email protected] - www.hortibiz.com Hans van Renssen, tel. +(0)6 81 02 76 88 [email protected] in 2015 Duijvestijn Tomaten from the Editor in chief: Jacco Strating Brenda Pigmans, tel. +(0)6 20 16 61 76 Netherlands won the award for being Contributing authors: Jouke Campen, Ellis Langen, [email protected] In this edition the best in crop and process tehnology. Henri Potze, Angelo van Schaik, Jacco Strating and Mario van Vliet Subscription: 6 times a year for € 50,- [ 1 ] Tomato Inspiration Event [ 3 ] Italian Both times a jury chose the winners. Send an email to: [email protected] Photography: The Greenery, GrowTech Eurasia, tomatoes [ 4 ] Growing in the desert Last year during the 3rd edition of the Horti-Images, Koppert Biological Systems, Disclaimer/copyright: The publisher and [ 5 ] Novelties Bato [ 7 ] Focus on safety event, the Tomato Inspiration Award Philips, Glenn Mostert, Angelo van Schaik and authors declare that they have compiled this Wageningen UR media product carefully and to the best of [ 8 ] Breeders present new tomatoes was presented to Sundrop Farms their knowledge. However, no warranty or [ 11 ] GrowTech Eurasia [ 12 ] The future of from Australia. This time the audience Translation: Renee Snijders representation is made to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this Aphids [ 13 ] Column Henri Potze was asked to choose their favourite Design: Glenn Mostert document. The publisher and authors assume no [ 15 ] Tomato grower Nico Duijvestijn out of four nominees. Sundrop Farms liability whatsoever for any damage resulting from Printing house: BDUprint the use of this product or its content. was nominated together with APS Publisher: Hans van Renssen This is not just a bumblebee

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20160776 - Natupol-ad Hortibiz-def.indd 2 08-09-16(wk36) 16:26 Text Angelo van Schaik

It is remarkable that all Dutch companies How ‘Italian’ are also offer seed for the truly Italian San Marzano tomato, the oval shaped tomato that grows near Naples and because tomatoes from Italy? of its small amount of seeds, is mainly used for sauces. The tomato used for the Neapolitan pizza for example is always Think of Italy and pasta and pizza come to mind, and tomatoes of course. Or better the ‘pomo d’oro’, the golden apple, a San Marzano, a tomato variety that the name 16th century botanist Pietro Andrea Mattioli gave to the fruit. When the Spaniards conquered the city of was a gift from the kingdom of Peru to Naples in 1503, they introduced the tomato, but only some 300 years later the tomato appeared in the Italian kitchens the king of Naples in 1770. Since then and has become a regular component since the preparation of the first ‘spaghetti al pomodoro’ in 1839. Every year Italy the variety has been produced near the produces 5 million ton tomatoes and there are 320 different varieties, but are these ‘pomodori’ in fact Italian? former capital of the south. Although in 1770 the tomato already had been in Italy for almost 300 years, only then people understood the fruit is edible. Enza Zaden imports the seeds from the Netherlands and sells them to the Italians to produce San Marzano. ‘The basis of this tomato is actually Italian,’ says Carmelo Iacono, product manager tomato for South Italy at Enza Zaden. ‘The seeds come from plants near Naples, but are bred in the Netherlands and we import them again in Italy.’ The raw material comes from Italy, but the investment is done in the Netherlands, a long term investment explains Iacono. At their research centre in Santa Croce Camerino on Sicily Enza Zaden has been involved in the breeding of another typical Italian tomato, the Cuore de Bue (Oxheart), a large salad tomato with ribbed surface. ‘Only in two years we expect some results with regards to this investment.’ Investments that have tripled in the past years and have to enlarge [3 Italians regard the Pachino tomato, the season to be dried and used during the ‘Shiren’ and in addition, De Ruiter Seeds Enza Zaden’s market share, that at the small cherry tomatoes which are being winter. The traditional growers were not (now Monsanto) introduced ‘Conchita’. moment is still rather small. ‘The Italian produced near the town of Pachino at fond of these peculiar small tomatoes. The ‘Italian’ Pachino tomato is actually market is a very important market for us,’ the south coast of Sicily, as their cultural For almost a century they mostly not Italian after all, but Israeli, or Dutch. states Iacono. heritage. Indeed, this variety received produced large tomatoes on the vine, an IGP certificate in 2003 and is thus green, yellow and red ones to consume Specific seed and methods Tomato sauces protected. Only the cherry tomatoes that in salads or to use for sauces. Consumers Browsing through the EU catalogue of Except for seeds, the Italians also grow in the rocky soil of the peninsula were also reluctant to tray this ‘novelty’, registered vegetable varieties shows import more and more tomatoes south of the city of Siracusa and are these cherry tomatoes were produced in that there are more than 3500 tomato for consumption, mostly from the nurtured by the mild Sicilian climate and greenhouses and that fact was regarded varieties and that the majority of these Netherlands, Spain and France. The the salty sea air are Pachino tomatoes. with suspicion. Sicilian tomatoes ripen varieties come from or have been trade balance even shows negative In Sicily people are extremely proud of in the sun, there’s no question about developed in the Netherlands. Spain and numbers, Italy imports more fresh these small and sweet cherry tomatoes. it. However, COIS94, the Italian seed Italy fight for second place. As a result, tomatoes than the country exports. But apparently memories are short, company that planted the Israeli seed in Dutch seed companies, together with the In the field of industrial tomatoes, like because the Pachino tomato as we the Sicilian soil, stood firm and after two French and Israeli, dominate the Italian peeled tomatoes in cans and tomato know it now, was only introduced in years the ‘Pachino’ tomato became a market. Rijk Zwaan and Nunhems, now derivatives like sauces, Italy is still a 1989 by the Israeli seed company Hazera great success and now the small tomato part of Bayer, established their Italian leading powerhouse. After California Genetics. They named the cherry tomato is found at every supermarket. The head office near Bologna, De Ruiter and China, most canned tomatoes ‘Naomi’. Near Pachino, this tomato type cherry tomato is now the most common Seeds, using the brand name Seminis, come from Italy, some 13 per cent of the was grown in vegetable gardens and and widely consumed tomato in Italy. in Parma and Enza Zaden just north of worldwide production and in the field was removed from the land early in the Hazera replaced the original ‘Naomi’ with Rome. Massimo Peboni, the ‘tomato of derivatives the country even takes guy’ of Rijk Zwaan Italia, does not want the number one position. The export to disclose information on their market of Italian pureed tomatoes and tomato share. ‘That is sensitive information.’ sauces reached the record amount of He does share that the majority of their 1,5 billion euros in 2015 and 55 per cent seed comes from the Netherlands and of all processed tomatoes in Europe that, at various locations in Italy, they comes from Italy. develop local, specific seed and methods which are suited for and adjusted to It is hard to say if Italian tomatoes are the local circumstances. ‘We invest a truly Italian. The ancient seed ever lot in research and development.’ Both came from Italy, they are produced in companies regularly introduce new Italian soil, in the Italian sun, mostly on varieties to the Italian market. Rijk Zwaan the island of Sicily and near the city of presented new varieties of tomato on Parma, they hear Italian and they have to the vine and cherry tomato. Enza Zaden deal with Italian rain. But the investment, presented ‘Trebus’, its new cherry tomato the breeding and the basis, the seed, variety. mostly comes from abroad. Text Jouke Campen, Wageningen University Fresh vegetables from the desert In the Middle East, food security and food safety are high on the agenda since the food crisis of 2007-2008. Food is mainly imported from nearby countries. Especially during the summer the prices of fresh produce are high, because there is not much production in the region itself. Because of the high prices and low quality of products from neighbouring countries, various programs are now aiming to improve the production system. An important issue is the reduction of water use, since water is very scarce in a large part of the region.

The climate of the countries in the lot of water, since all the water used Middle East is characterised by high (in this case only the irrigation of the temperatures during the summer and crop) is being recovered by way of almost no rain throughout the year. condensation in the coolers. This water Nevertheless, greenhouse production can be reused again. In addition to this continues year round and the water great advantage, there is another two, needed comes from underground closed production makes it possible these technologies when applied in pad and fan, the irrigation and drain reservoirs. These reservoirs are now to increase the CO2 concentration the Middle East, are the foundation water are being measures, but also drying up, because the supply of in the greenhouse as well as the of the research planning in the next how much water exactly evaporates in fresh water is scarce and the used production. Closed production also few years. In addition, the practical the pad and how much water enters production methods require a lot of leads to less insects in the greenhouse implementation is also taken into the greenhouse via the nebulizers. In water. In some countries companies and makes pest control less necessary. account, with a strong focus on the the high tech compartments there are using desalinated water, which is Biological pest control becomes a necessary knowhow. will be measured precisely how much extremely expensive. solution that cannot be implemented condensation comes from the coolers under the current circumstances of Screens and how much needs to be cooled The water consumption is that high high temperatures and the need to Three types of greenhouses will be exactly. because plants are often still grown in ventilate the greenhouse. There is a tested, and starting with existing the soil. Another reason is the cooling disadvantage to this method of course technology that is the plastic tunnel Coolers during night method used. Temperatures in the and that is the high energy usage. All greenhouse with a pad and fan system. Taking into account that the greenhouse are reduced by way of the heat that enters the greenhouse This greenhouse serves as reference, high energy usage is the biggest evaporative cooling. The warm and by way of solar radiation and the also because no reliable data are disadvantage when it comes to [4 dry outside air is being sucked through difference in temperature between the available about these greenhouses. the economic feasibility of a water a pad (an open structure made of air in the greenhouse and outside the In the greenhouse, production saving greenhouse, this issue will be cardboard with water running over greenhouse must be disposed of. The methods in the soil and out of soil researched thoroughly. The energy it), which makes the air cool down advantages of the closed production will be considered in relation to water consumption can be reduced by letting and is subsequently released in the system must compensate the electricity conservation and a possible increase in less heat into the greenhouse. greenhouse and flows towards the usage in order to create a feasible in production. The salinity of the However, this heat is mostly radiation greenhouse ventilators. In dry regions business model. water that flows over the pad and from the sun and can only be the air can be cooled up to 20 degrees which increases by evaporation of the partly reduced without affecting by using this method. The downside Out of the soil water, will be measured so the water the production. The application of however is, that the water usage is Wageningen UR Greenhouse is only refreshed when necessary. As special roof deck materials with a extremely high, up to 400 litres to Horticulture was closely involved in two an improvement of this traditional spectral reflection of the part of the produce only 1 kilogram of tomatoes. projects in the Middle East regarding greenhouse, a glass greenhouse sunlight which is not being used for In more humid regions along the coast the establishment of research centres containing movable screens, an air photosynthesis is a possible solution. this method cannot be used and it in the field of protected horticulture. distribution systems, nebulizers, and To run coolers during the night in is therefore not possible to produce At these centres existing greenhouse possibly heating. It is expected that order to fill up a buffer tank, would be during the summer. Besides the high cultivation technologies are being a more homogenous and controlled another option to reduce the electricity water usage and the low production tested under local circumstances. climate in this type of greenhouse consumption. volumes, producers also use a lot Besides the mentioned climate control will increase the production. By using of pesticides during the production options, there is a strong focus on movable screens instead of chalking An important part of establishing these period with affects the quality of the technologies to produce plants out the greenhouse decks (which reduces research centres is to educate a local final product. A reduction of such of the soil and the possibilities of the amount of light entering the operational and research team. The measures would be desirable. The recirculating drain water. Irrigation greenhouse throughout the day), the first part of their training, a theoretical only alternative cooling method systems and the provision of maximum amount of light available as well as a practical course, is taking for greenhouses in this region is nutrients that come with these kind can enter the greenhouse. This control place in the village of Bleiswijk. The rest mechanical cooling, or air conditioning. of technologies are also tested. The method should also lead to a higher of the training will be executed on site. This cooling method does not use a technical and economic feasibility of production. In the end, the greenhouse The research assignments are carried which saves the largest amount of out in cooperation with Wageningen water by using air conditioning is UR. A research planning has been also tested. An increase of CO2 and compiled for the next five years in complete control over temperature which all themes (climate control, and humidity must lead to a higher integrated pest management, crop production. In this type of greenhouse, management, nutrients and irrigation) the effect on the production by using will be addressed. diffuse glass in comparison to standard glass is also being tested. The research centre in the United Arab The water supply is being measured Emirates opened in October 2015 in the different compartments of the and the centre in Saudi Arabia in the greenhouse. In greenhouses with beginning of 2016. Text Ellis Langen Innovative stem support and improved 23 mm clip for tomato plants

Bato Plastics, located in Zevenbergen the Netherlands, launched a stem holder for tomato plants. The stem support is designated for grafted, topped tomato plants and prevents tearing of the plant, thus reducing the risk of Fusarium and Botrytis infections. Bato Plastics developed this innovative solution in cooperation with a leading Dutch tomato grower to prevent the stems from tearing and breaking. [5 “The product has been tested for and Botrytis infections. “We expect bigger lock and the pre-bent (20°) clip one year at a few large tomato this new product to conquer a large is thereby faster and easier to close growers in the Netherlands and with market in the Netherlands and abroad. and to open. That is good news for good results" says account manager There are many tomato growers who tomato growers who re-use the clips. Raymond van Mierlo from Bato. In have to deal with tearing and breaking The clip is also adjustable to different addition, a few growers in the USA of their plants. In addition, it is a types of rope. The smooth surface has and Eastern Europe already tested the pretty simple product that prevents no sharp edges so it prevents damage stem holder. unwanted consequences.” The new to tomatoes, and the improved hinge stem support is available in plastic and clamps firmly to the rope.” The tomato The stem support is easy to use and biodegradable material. clips are most of the time re-used in it should be placed on the plant countries like Mexico because labour during planting. The stem holder Optimised tomato clip is cheap there. The new Bato-clip is does its work at the beginning of the Bato has also recently optimised their on the market since the beginning of growing period. The stem holders 23mm tomato clip. Over the past two this year. “The new and improved clips are especially important when the years, the company has invested in are especially popular with tomato grower lowers the tomato plants for improving its existing tomato clip. Van growers in Mexico, but many growers the first time. It prevents torn stems Mierlo: “The improved 23 mm tomato in other countries are also using and reduces the risk of Fusarium clip is a faster-acting clip. It has a them.”

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GARDEN FEATURES An event organized by: Supported by: ‘Focus on safety leads to multiple benefits’

Top quality is Cultilene’s trademark. The company provides substrates and diffuse glass to the greenhouse horticulture sector. Safety is another important priority: Cultilene takes things further that is legally necessary and sets the bar extremely high. The result? Two million working hours without any accidents leading to absence, working methods and production processes which are efficiently organized and an undisputed product quality. Bonny Heeren, general director BU Horticulture at Saint-Gobain: ‘We like to share our acquired knowledge with our clients.’

accident resulting in absence for more future we also want to take into account than 24 hours. Therefore, in 2012 we other unsafe situations in and near received the Safety Diamond award greenhouses. A possible example for from Saint-Cobain. In 2013 we joined instance is making machines energy the Saint-Gobain’s Millionaires Club: a free when they are being maintained ‘club’ of subsidiaries which all ran more (the LOTO principle, see textbox),’ than a million working hours without any says Hensels. ‘This knowledge we also accident resulting in absence.’ want to share and discuss with clients in order to increase safety awareness Safety in the greenhouse among growers. We hope this will be an Cultilene not only finds it important eyeopener for them.’ its employees work safely within the Heeren adds that the delivery and company premises, the company also installation of the diffuse ALBARINO- pays attention to safety on the road glass is now being examined. ‘Cultilene, and at the grower’s location. ‘Many in cooperation with a transport company, Being one of the larger enterprises in the for instance when it comes to working colleagues travel a lot and visit clients. has implemented a safe way to unload world, Saint-Gobain – mother company at height, loading and unloading, Research has showed that calling while and transport the woorden end caps with of Cultilene – is socially very involved. separating pedestrians from forklifts and driving is extremely dangerous, even glass on the construction site.’ Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) working in closed areas.’ It is essential of when it is done hands free,’ says Heeren. Although the average horticultural belong to the most important pillars course that employees adhere to these Cultilene’s guideline therefore states that company can improve a lot when it of our company’, says Gerard Hensels, guidelines. ‘According to the law, you in case of bad weather or important calls, comes to safety, in other aspects the [7 Manager Operations at Cultilene. ‘That are not allowed to drive faster than 50 to park your car first. It is still a challenge horticultural sector is leading, emphasizes is why Saint-Gobain signed various km/hr in urban areas. But not everyone to find a balance with regards to this Hensels. ‘Other sectors can learn a lot international treaties in this field of is adhering to that rule either,’ illustrates specific issue.’ Experience teaches us from the hygiene protocols that are EHS. The Dutch horticultural sector Hensels. ‘Research showed that the that safety on site at the grower is not implemented in horticulture.’ also deals with these subjects on a daily unsafe situations within our company are receiving sufficient attention yet, not with basis and they offer opportunities to for 90 per cent the result of decisions regards to their own personnel nor third Multiple benefits distinguish yourself. Examples are the of employees to do something or not. parties. According to Heeren working The focus on safety does not only result international water covenant and its Stimulating safety awareness is therefore on height is a good example. ‘Every day in extremely low figures of occupational connection to emission free production crucial.’ That is why stimulation of the production employees, consultants and injuries at Cultilene; the company is or the agreements during the climate safety culture and safety behaviour suppliers use installations which take benefiting in other fields as well. ‘If conference COP21 and the goal of zero- of people receive a lot of attention at them high up in the greenhouse. At every you improve safety, at the same time energy production in 2020. Saint-Gobain Cultilene. Every Saint-Gobain branch Saint-Gobain branch one that works you also improve product quality and was an official partner of this climate organizes an annual EHS-day. During up to 6 metres high needs to follow a product and process efficiency,’ says conference that took place in at this specific day 170.000 employees safety training first, be secured and use Hensels. ‘Working safely does also imply the end of 2015.’ The focus on EHS, and are actively involved in workshops and a helmet on a certified installation that working error-free. When a machine especially safety, includes more that only receive medical checks. In addition, each is regularly checked. This is not without is not directly accessible because of signing treaties, emphasizes Hensels. ‘We employee receives a so-called safety reason! The number of deadly accidents fencing, you cannot fix small problems do not only provide safe products; safety visit four times a year. ‘An employee is while working at height is extremely high quickly. You therefore have to guarantee is the common thread in all our company being visited by a trained colleague who all over the world.’ that the machine always works perfectly. processes. Related to this subject, Saint- observes and advises on improvements. Those issues benefit the quality and the Gobain works with a very clear goal: zero These are so-called Safety Management This is exactly why Cultilene will train working methods. All these factors are work related accidents, zero occupational Auditing Technique-audits, or in short the employees that regularly work in interrelated and strengthen each other. diseases, zero environmental accidents SMAT-audits. In this way we prevent that greenhouses in how to work safely at That is why working in a safe way leads to and minimal environmental impact. As people get a blinkered view, because height and make them more conscious multiple benefits!’ a result, the Saint-Gobain subsidiaries, they have been doing their job for a very about the existing dangers. In the among which Cultilene, all work with a long time. Research shows that people clear and outspoken policy in the field of with routine jobs run the largest risk of safety. The Saint-Gobain group provides getting an accident.’ many interesting and useful tool to The mentioned safety guidelines actually improve safety at the workplace.’ in combination with the focus on Saint-Gobain drew up clear guidelines safe conduct is clearly bearing fruit. to limit dangerous situations as much ‘Cultilene’s employees are extremely as possible and reduce the chance of safety conscious and – very important incidents. The most important ones are – point out unsafe behaviour to each summarized as the so-called ‘golden other,’ says Bonny Heeren. ‘In the guidelines’ (see textbox). ‘Certain meantime Cultilene has clocked almost standards have been put into place 2 million working hours without any Text Mario van Vliet New tomatoes focus on taste, shapes and colours

Tomato growers can choose again. On a tour of various breeders we encountered quite a number of varieties which is increasingly high tech) in a controlled were recently launched or become available soon. Each variety comes with its own unique characteristics of course, but environment is important. what they all have in common is that its taste and appearance receive more and more attention from the breeders. More varieties You eat a tomato because of its fresh, goal is to develop solutions that cater high production definitely play a role. Kortekaas (Axia): ‘Canada and the natural taste. For many breeders taste to the needs of our clients. For today’s Maarten van den Heuvel at Enza Zaden United States are already ahead of is a very important principle in their consumers experience becomes more says: ‘Everyone wants a high quality, the Netherlands and Belgium when breeding program. ‘The consumer got important while shopping and retailers but in the end that may not jeopardise it comes to differentiation in taste used to the excellent taste of the small are divided and focus on the discount production.’ Jakob Fausboell (Bayer): and shape. Some five years ago you [8 snack tomatoes’, shares Geert van der market or the higher value segments.’ ‘Within the chain there is more and could see that in North America Wel, crop specialist tomato at Hazera. Cees Kortekaas, account manager at more attention to residu and food growers produce more varieties in ‘That particular taste the consumer is Axia, thinks all these new shapes and safety. This leads to varieties that are one department in order to achieve also looking for in larger tomatoes.’ colours can also have disadvantages. highly disease resistant.’ the highest returns. That trend is now slowly coming to the Netherlands and Belgium. Van den Heuvel (Enza) points out market influence: ‘In many countries, including North America, growers are closer to the market. A certain variety is chosen based on consumer demand and in those countries many different varieties are being produced.’

Assimilation lighting A final perspective: the developments in assimilation lighting in crop production. Franky van Looveren, Sales Manager Benelux at Monsanto: ‘We see an increase of about 15% compared to the previous year. The total production That is why the appearance of a tomato ‘It can become too much for super If you focus on the various tomato area with assimilation lighting will is equally important. A tomato which markets and also consumers can’t see producing countries, you notice a make up some 30% of the total tomato does not look attractive will not be the wood for the trees. number of interesting differences. production area in the Benelux. In bought. That is why many vegetable Zwinkels (Rijk Zwaan): ‘In North America this region we however notice a shift breeders regard the appearance of Wallet the snack segment has considerably in sowing and planting dates: those the tomato as their priority. Think of a Taste and appearance are important increased: they are ahead of Western are distributed over the course of nice, round shape, a deep red or nice to consumers. With regards to Europe. In Eastern Europe there is a the year.’ Van der Wel (Hazera): ‘The pink colour and an attractive looking growers however, there is a series great interest in the pink tomato and production area with assimilation truss. ‘In Western Europe and in some of crop characteristics that is as the market for beef tomatoes remains lighting will continue to increase. We segments, colour is regarded not so equally important when it comes to large. In Germany and England ‘local also see worldwide area expansion important,’ says Ben Zwinkels, crop profitability and the crop’s success. for local’ is an important development.’ using the most advanced greenhouses coordinator at Rijk Zwaan. ‘But in for Kortekaas (Axia): ‘In the end it comes Local for local is not only trendy; and production technologies. ‘ Van example Turkey and France the deep down to how much money the grower in some countries it is a necessity Looveren (Monsanto): ‘We expect red colour is a high priority in the makes by the end of the year.’ Factors says Jakob Fausboell (Bayer): ‘In an increase of 3 to 4% of the total regular truss tomato segment.’ Jakob like important resistances (mildew countries that have to deal with water production area of tomato. This Fausboell, Crop Sales Manager Tomaat resistance is almost standard by now), shortages, climate change and political increase is caused by an expansion of at Bayer (of the Nunhems varieties): our a crop that is easy to work with and a developments, local production (that production with assimilation lighting.’ Overview of tomato novelties per breeder

Name HTL1307135 HTL1409352 HTL1308118 HTL1409381 HTL1504425 Maxeza Milaneze EZ 1124 Annaïsa Breeder Axia Axia Axia Axia Axia Enza Enza Enza Enza Date of October 2016 July 2016 July 2016 July 2016 October 2016 End of 2015 October 2015 October 2016 October 2015 introduction Segment Loose round Truss medium Coarse truss. Coarse truss. Truss plum. Coarse truss Loose tomato Loose tomato Cocktail tomato tomato, 80 and loose round tomato grams tomato Characteristics Very uniform Very high quality High total Excellent Very high Relatively high Crownless Nice round Great taste, well loose tomato for with high total production; quality; very quality; nice brix, labour tomato, labour tomato, formed truss, British market production; excellent taste nice deep red red colour; high friendly, deeper friendly, easy to uniform, good endurance of with percentage suitable for on for coars tomato colour; high production red, early in cut, long shelf production the crop, great of tomatoes and the vine as well on the vine production production life production and good taste as loose presentation Market Netherlands Worldwide/ Worldwide high Worldwide high Worldwide high All countries Northern Europe Europe especially tech tech tech Europe, Mexico Europe Notes Allowed as Very suitable for field trial crop processing in Belgium for producion with assimilation lighting at Flandria Elite as vine tomato.

Name Amastera (HA HA 27429 HA 27444 HA 27443 HA 27482 HA 27483 TOM01850 27430) Breeder Hazera Hazera Hazera Hazera Hazera Hazera Sakata Date of End of 2016 End of 2016 introduction Segment Coarse truss Coarse truss Medium truss Medium truss Loose (Admiro Beef: (Torero Cherry tomato. type) type) On the vine and loose Characteristics High High production Deep red High Uniform and Strong crop, Strong, short production, potential, great colour, slightly production, firm fruit, very mildew and generative high quality, taste, nice red ribbed, flatter generative crop high production resistant, great, plant. Even flat trusses, colour and long tomato with potential firm fruit under low light vigorous crop shelf life great taste and conditions. Very with superior vigorous green good taste. taste parts Attractive deep orange colour. Fish bone shape cluster. No cracking Market Worldwide Worldwide Worldwide Worldwide Europe Worldwide Worldwide high tech [9 Notes Currently Currently Currently Currently Currently in research in research in research in research in research phase; date of phase; date of phase; date of phase; date of phase; date of introduction tbc introduction tbc introduction tbc introduction tbc introduction tbc

Name Rebelski DR9544TH Ducovery Quentero Merlice Sevance Audiance Volantis DRC564 SV0948TS Breeder Monsanto Monsanto Monsanto Monsanto Monsanto Monsanto Monsanto Monsanto Monsanto Monsanto Date of 2015 2016 2017 2016 2016 2016 2016 introduction Segment Beef tomato Beef tomato Beef tomato Delicate beef Coarse truss Medium truss Loose tomato Plum tomato Cherry tomato Yellow Cherry tomato (18 grams) truss tomato Characteristics Excellent Nice red colour, More BBB; Mildew High production Deep red Great fruit Suitable for Nice red colour Excellent taste; presentation, long shelf life deep-round, resistant, very potential; high colour inside/ quality; high loose and truss in combination loose and truss mildew reliable quality high quality resistance outside, strong production; harvest, very with great taste, harvest; ideal resistant, nice during the and rapid truss package; strong green parts, vigorous crop reliable fruit suitable for truss for combination red colour whole season production green parts, great taste and quality; mildew and loose packaging long shelf life high resistance resistancy and labour package efficient Market Notes

Name Competition Foundation Extension* Progression* 72-187 72-195 Prodezo 72-760 72-724 RZ Volicia RZ Tovento/ 72-396 RZ RZ Breeder Nunhems Nunhems Nunhems Nunhems Rijk Zwaan Rijk Zwaan Rijk Zwaan Rijk Zwaan Rijk Zwaan Rijk Zwaan Date of 2013 2013 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2015 introduction Segment Cherry tomato Vine tomato, Vine tomato, Vine tomato, Yellow pear Yellow plum Truss coarse Truss coarse 130 Truss medium Santa tomato of medium medium large shape tomato of tomato of 11 150 grams grams 115 grams 11 grams 11 grams grams Characteristics Strong and Strong, Strong Strong Nice shape, brix Colour, brix: 9.0 High High High High generative generative generative crop; generative crop; > 8 production; production; production; production; plant, round crop, truss with long trusses; uniform trusses; mildew mildew mildew labour friendly, and deep red nice fishbone round and deep nice red and resistant; colour resistant; colour, resistant; colour, large quantities, fruit; truss with structure, round red fruit; strong round fruit. IR nice flat truss nice flat truss, perfect bite for nice fishbone and deep red green parts, IR resistant against great taste kids structure fruit, strong resistant against powdery green parts, IR powdery mildew, On resistant against mildew, On (Oidium powdery (Oidium neolycopersici) mildew, On neolycopersici) (Oidium neolycopersici) Market Worldwide high Worldwide high Worldwide high Worldwide high Specialty Worldwide Worldwide high Worldwide high Worldwide high Worldwide high tech tech tech tech growers high tech & tech tech tech tech protected Notes Breeding your success Your partner for growing tomatoes.

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Bato Plastics B.V. Munterij 2, 4762 AH Zevenbergen, The Netherlands T: + 31 (0) 168 33 10 30 E: [email protected] Growtech Eurasia leader in innovations

Growtech Eurasia, the biggest exhibition of Turkey will take place at Antalya Expo Center between 30 November – 03 December 2016 with more than 700 national and international participants and with the target of 80 thousand visitors. Growtech Eurasia, which offers new market opportunities in the agriculture industry, will go on making the manufacturers happy.

made online via Matchmaking Program, we will ensure the right purchasers and sellers at the booths in the exhibition area.”

Awards contest The concept of Growtech Eurasia Agriculture Awards that have been being given for nine years and has earned the reputation from the sector has been renewed. The products and services ranked in Growtech Eurasia Agriculture Awards that will be open for both the votes of the jury and the public via social media and that is organized with the purpose of supporting the innovative projects adding values on the agriculture industry will be exhibited at the Innovation Zone that will be allocated in the exhibition area for the first time. In the seminar [11 Farmers and major agricultural taken in the name of our future. That is by our agricultural manufacture to programmesin which the professionals manufacturers in Turkey have done why, Growtech Eurasia is so important our economy even more. For this and academicians of the sector will take their parts in the best way despite hard for our manufacturers. Last year, more reason, we continued to raise the level place, all innovations, developments conditions such as natural disasters and than 680 participants from 30 countries of our services in order to provide and market opportunities regarding economic processes. The agricultural and 80 thousand visitors from 77 new opportunities of commercial agriculture will as well be discussed at manufacture that was 205 billion TL in countries were at Growtech Eurasia. We cooperation for our participants and Growtech Eurasia. Growtech Eurasia 2014 has reached up to 248.5 billion believe that Growtech Eurasia, which visitors. We have first listened to the Agriculture Fair will be held at Antalya TL with a rise of 21.2%. The most serves for Turkey to be the leader in requests from our participants and Expo Center between 30 December important need of Turkey, which is now its region on agricultural manufacture visitors, and we have increased our and 03 December 2016, and will be on the first place in Europe and on the and to be a global actor worldwide, exhibition area from 40 thousand m2 open for visit between the hours seventh in the World in agricultural will again succeed to make our to 50 thousand m2. With the purpose 10:00-19:00. Growtech Eurasia, which manufacture, is having the manufacture manufacturers happy.” Engin Eradded of utilizing this large area in the most provides advantages for international meet the purchasers at the values it as follows: “Moreover, Growtech efficient way, we have positioned visitors and participants and those deserves. Eurasia is a common knowledge our exhibition area into 4 different who will come from other cities with its sharing platform where the high end product and service group. Hence, our location at 15 minutes of distance from Growtech Eurasia 16th International technology and innovations regarding visitors will easily be able to access the the airport, can easily be accessed by Greenhouse, Agricultural Equipment the agricultural industry are shared. We companies in main and sub categories rail system from Antalya City Centre as and Technologies Fair, which creates offer our manufacturers both alternative as ‘Watering and Greenhouse well. an average business volume of 550 market opportunities and innovative Technologies’, ‘Plant Nutrition and million Dollars every year, is preparing solutions and technologies that shall Conservation’, ‘Tractor and Agriculture to host more than 700 national and increase their productivities.” Machines’ and ‘Seed Growing’. In international participants and with the addition, carrying our Procurement target of 80 thousand visitors. The Innovations Committee Programme meetings that exhibition provides the participants and Growtech Eurasia, which has enlarged hosted by us with the coordination the visitors to reach markets at a broad its Exhibition Area 10 thousand of the Ministry of Economy and the geography from the European and m2more, will attract the Attentions organization of the West Mediterranean Balkan countries to the Middle Eastern, with its Innovations as well… Engin Exporters Association every year into from the Northern African to the Turkic Er, who stated that Growtech Eurasia our exhibition area, we have aimed to Republics. Agriculture Fair embraces every section increase the synergy that will emerge. Engin Er, the Group Director of UBM of the industry from farmers dealing We will bring together our participants EMEA (Istanbul) Fuarcılık stated that with farming through generations and visitors by the Anatolia Meetings the history of trade with the customers to new generation manufacturers before the fair. Our purpose is to serve goes back in many years, spoke as using modern farmingtechniques in for Growtech Eurasia to become a follows: “The problems with the Russian greenhouses and on thousands of sustainable platform where information Federation that are being solved decares of lands, added as follows: “As and experiences for the agriculture nowadays, and enlarging our target Growtech Eurasia, we want to grow up industry are shared. In addition, by markets are the best decisions to be the significant contribution provided means of the applications that will be Text Mario van Vliet The future of... Aphids

A single aphid doesn't cause much damage. The problem with aphids is that they rarely turn up alone. Turn your back for a second and the population has exploded. Ultimately, chemical measures are often unavoidable. However, that moment can be postponed with the smart use of parasitic wasps. In any case, the best solution will ultimately be a 'system approach'. [12 Many growers are familiar with the corrections. However, the number of an extra advantage: it makes it possible population can grow and therefore help problem. For sweet pepper growers in chemical products available for that for natural enemies to build up a strong ensure that any outbreak of harmful particular, it's almost a question of when correction is likely to be reduced. 'The population. aphids can be dealt with quickly and rather than if the aphid arrives. Sooner best way of combatting aphids is an There is a small army of natural enemies effectively. 'The best time to start or later, the green and red peach integrated approach,' says Hooijmans. available to combat the aphids, such using a banker plant, such as Ervibank potato aphids and tobacco aphids as the gall midge and the lacewing, by Koppert, is around 1 February,' (Myzus persicae) or the glasshouse Army of biological beneficials the diets of which include aphids. The Moerman explains. As aphids pose the potato aphid (Aulacorthum solani) Aphids can be viewed as a universal best natural enemies, however, are the biggest risk just before summer, this will appear on the leaves of the crop. pest: almost every crop can be parasitic wasps. Aphelinus abdominalis means there is enough time to build up They suck sap out of the leaves, and affected by them. The insect is also is the best weapon for the battle a good population.' secrete the sugars. This leads to sticky very successful where reproduction is against the glasshouse potato aphid, Van der Spek has used Ervibank for a leaves and fruits (sooty mould), longer concerned: a population can explode while Aphidius colemani is a strong number of years already, and is satisfied production, and even the risk of crops within a very short space of time. When opponent of green and red peach with the results. 'We want to postpone dying. 'Aphids are a major problem, that happens, it's a case of 'all hands potato aphids and tobacco aphids. The the use of chemical correction products particularly as summer approaches,' on deck'. And on a large scale, too! most effective way to use Aphelinus for as long as possible. Ervibank is a explains sweet pepper grower Danny Organic production businesses often abdominalis is to use a 'banker plant': good solution in this respect. We usually van der Spek of Paprikakwekerij Van devote more than 90% of their crop a kind of nursery. The banker plant don't need to take any chemical action der Spek, a sweet pepper cultivation protection expenditure on combatting features monocotyledonous grains and until after 1 June. From that moment, business in Bergschenhoek. 'They are aphids. Aphids are very unwelcome aphids that feed only on this type of there is a big chance that you will find very difficult to combat and consumers visitors. 'It's extremely important to grain. These aphids attract parasitic hyperparasites in the greenhouse: don't want sticky peppers. In the worst have a clean start,' explains vegetable wasps. By ensuring that there are these feed on the larvae and pupae of case, we will need to clean the fruits by consultant Arno Moerman of Koppert sufficient numbers of these grain-eating parasitic wasps.' hand.' Biological Systems. Keeping the crop aphids, and that these numbers are 'Aphids often take you by surprise,' free of aphids for as long as possible has kept high enough, the parasitic wasp Chemical or biological? explains Annelies Hooijmans, network Ultimately, the necessity to intervene coordinator for Greenhouse Vegetables is almost unavoidable, Van der Spek at Glaskracht. 'It starts with a few explains. 'Things will go better one year hotspots, and suddenly the population than another, but ultimately we need explodes.' 'Of course, it would be great to intervene every year.' In this regard, if there were no aphids at all,' says there are two main options: biological Arno Moerman, vegetable consultant correction or chemical correction. There at Koppert Biological Systems. 'But in are a few chemical agents available. sweet pepper cultivation in particular, Plenum is currently the most obvious they arrive every season.' chemical correction product. However, The best way of combatting aphids the list of permitted chemical products is to release natural enemies, shrinks every year. 'There are fewer and possibly supplemented with chemical fewer chemical products left,' explains Hooijmans of Glaskracht. 'And water integrated system in the greenhouse: purification will become increasingly they are often harmful for the natural The fundamental principles of Integrated Pest Management important for the products that remain enemies. In addition, the application Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to the control of available.' procedure for all authorizations for harmful organisms. The basic principles for IPM are: There are other disadvantages to corrective products and therefore also 1. Prevention: cultivation techniques, choice of variety (for resistance), chemical correction products. Reaching for biological products is a lengthy one. use of fertilizers, hygiene, and useful organisms for that product too often increases the It is therefore a tricky task to ensure the 2. Monitoring harmful organisms risk of resistance. Moreover, chemical good control of aphids.' 3. The use of a system that supports decisions (for instance for the intervention usually means the end of threshold values) biological control. There is a great risk System approach 4. The use of non-chemical methods of the parasitic wasps eventually also 'The control of aphids is a growing 5. The use of pesticides in a targeted manner with a low environmental dying through a lack of prey, and that bottleneck within horticulture. This pest impact would cancel out the efforts made and will therefore unfortunately remain on 6. Limiting the use of pesticides to the level of necessity be harmful for the biological balance the agenda,' according to Moerman. 7. Alternating the use of products (in connection with the risk of in the greenhouse. In recent years, 'Biological control will become ever resistance) more and more manufacturers have more important. After all, with chemical 8. Assessing the success of the control measures applied been switching from the development control, you ultimately shoot yourself in of just chemical products to the the foot.' development of biological products According to Hooijmans, the solution one product to try to control aphids, research into using natural enemies as well, Hooijmans explains. 'The to the aphid problem can be found but thinking on the basis of a system. in a different way, and the results are biological products currently available in an integrated approach to biology In other words: prevention, detection, promising. We are also looking at often have a negative effect on the and chemicals. 'That means not using working with threshold values, even more effective predators and at and choosing a variety that is less products with more biological origins susceptible to aphids.'LTO Glaskracht being used more broadly and with Nederland, the government, and the repeat applications, such as plant manufacturers of crop protection preparations and microbes. These are agents and natural enemies launched a designed to disturb the population pilot scheme in June 2016 to investigate growth of the aphid, to "glue" aphids that system approach. In this way, - as a result of which they can spread the eight fundamental principles of less easily and fix young aphids - or to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) form infect them.' The future of the control the basis for an examination of how far of aphids will therefore consist of a we can go in aphid control (see box). system approach, such as the use of At the same time, developments will other natural enemies. 'Conventional take place in the field of corrective cultivation will come more into line with products, explains Moerman. 'For ecological cultivation in terms of the Arno Moerman, Koppert Biological Systems instance, we are currently performing control of aphids,' Moerman concludes. [13

Column Henri Potze

Henri Potze is the founder of Benefits of Nature. Together with the industry Benefits of Nature is committed to achieve a more sustainable horticulture. New times, good times

You might think this is the bad title of a soap opera, but that In the past year we all could see, hear and read that there is not the case, it is just a reminder of what we go through a lot of choices to make. Those of you who visited the every year again. The beginning of a new production GreenTech in the RAI have seen the various novelties your season is always a moment to ask ourselves if we have company may benefit from. Sustainability was again a made the right choices. Because that choice is exactly what recurring theme. All the questions we ask ourselves year is important. You can make a good or bad choice only after year also returned during this past season. However, I once after all. Do we choose the false security of regular would like to say: innovate! revenues, or do we go into a new direction that will lead to more benefits? And what should these benefits be? Innovation is necessary in order to maintain confidence in the future. This future and its benefits we ourselves need to secure. Think about those other benefits as well; our environment and the future of our children. I have seen great examples of companies that care for both kinds of benefits. They are the probable frontrunners in new times, and lead their companies right into a sustainable future. APS and Flavour Fresh improve results with Your work deserves 100 percent LED the best technology!

Fresh ideas at INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA

UK’s largest tomato grower, APS Salads and supermarket tomato supplier, Flavour Fresh Solfresh Group, have both completed their first 12 and 10 month growing cycles respectively using 100% Philips LED light. This marks a trend to move from hybrid lighting, combining LED and conventional high pressure sodium (HPS), to 100% horticultural LED lighting to improve yield and grow [14 consistently tasty, fruit and vegetables all year round.

In conjunction with Philips Lighting Flavour Fresh business partner, CambridgeHOK, Before moving to horticultural LED APS Salads moved to 100% use of lighting, Flavour Fresh used natural horticultural LED lighting with Philips light to grow their tomato crops. GreenPower toplights and a double This meant that no tomatoes were row of interlighting. Phil Pearson, harvested between December group development director at APS and March. In contrast, since Salads and chair of the British Tomato Philips Lighting business partner Growers’ Technical Committee CambridgeHOK implemented 100% commented, ‘Before with the hybrid LED with two lines of horticultural HPS/LED system, we couldn’t achieve LED interlighting and toplighting at consistent crops at an affordable cost, the 0.5ha area of the greenhouse, and we were also producing too much Flavour Fresh will now be able to grow heat via HPS lighting in the winter. tomatoes all year round. Andy Roe, However, after 12 months with 100% production manager at Flavour Fresh LED, we are growing consistent quality said, ‘The dawning of the LED era is tomatoes right through the winter that without doubt the greatest innovation taste as good as mid-summer ones.’ in horticulture since the invention of the Pearson added, ‘Furthermore, we are tractor. Phillips Lighting has developed using two-thirds less power compared horticultural LED light to unlock the to when we were running HPS-lit science of plant physiology and passed greenhouses. Plus we can better on this technical wizardry to benefit control the crop balance because we growers and food consumers.’ He have total control over the heating added, ‘The total LED installation gives and lighting as well as a strong ROI. 100% control to us as a grower. The The new more sustainable system lighting and heating work hand in hand will have paid for itself within three to reduce the need for ventilation and years.’ After the decision was made in turn, this reduces the total energy to move to 100% LED lighting, it took requirement by up to 35% which is a CambridgeHOK only eight weeks from win, win situation for the environment.’ the order being placed to the LED Flavour Fresh is expecting an increase lighting being switched on. The new in yield of its tomato crop using the horticultural LED lighting can produce LED technology by around 30%. a total of 220 μmols/s/m20) at 2.7 μmols/Watts, which out-performs other manufacturers in terms of efficiency. www.ivifho.de areWhat you proudof? Nico Duijvestijn, 47 – production of Oxheart and Red Egg tomatoes in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands, greenhouse of 4 ha

What are you proud of? crop characteristics. That sometimes­ organisations. However, in this cluster and it is great to see and hear what they ‘The fact that I grow products people means I need to do my utmost to create we work well together, because we do are working on. It is important we really enjoy and that they are enthusiastic optimal circumstances for the crop. This not compete. Recently we visited the understand what their needs are. And about their taste. Clients buying my crop does not grow so easily, the trusses company that packs the HelloFresh meal that leads of course to a lot of food for products or people that visit our develop slower when the weather is hot. boxes. Because of my membership of thought. But who knows, if this is the company to buy tomatoes, often return. However, in the end I always look for the Dutch Special I can visit such companies future, we need to be prepared.’ That is a great compliment for the best possible solution for the tomatoes. work we do. I am also proud if all goes They are my quality product.’ well in the company, when the team is performing well and the crops grow How about the sales of these nicely, because the two varieties I grow, tomatoes? need a lot of attention.’ ‘My tomatoes are being sold to various clients throughout Europe via sales What do you mean exactly? organisation The Greenery. I am also ‘I grow the varieties Arawak (Oxheart) a member of Dutch Specials, a cluster and Romanella (Red Egg). These varieties of growers producing specialties have not been selected because of and by cooperation in promotion [15 the right plant characteristics, like of our products we can reach many you select most tomato varieties. I consumers. We learn a lot from each made my choice based on the specific other and the fact that we work characteristics of the fruit while together is quite special, because many accepting the dis­advantages of certain growers are member of different sales Optim’Air www.graphito-communication.fr - Credit photo : iStock - Credit www.graphito-communication.fr

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