Tomato grower invests in nanobubbles: “Nothing could go wrong anymore”
Stoffels Tomaten has experienced some difficult years in recent years, including root problems and virus problems. In search of improvements, the water system was thoroughly overhauled. “We have actually done three things, of which the investment in nanobubble equipment is the most striking,” says Paul Stoffels.
Tholen - Stoffels Tomaten has experienced some difficult years in recent years, including root problems and virus problems. In search of improvements, the water system was thoroughly overhauled. “We have actually done three things, of which the investment in nanobubble equipment is the most striking,” says Paul Stoffels.
Last summer, the owner of the tomato cultivation company purchased two Agrona nanobubble systems from Agrona for the ten-hectare location in Rijkevorsel. “We started looking at everything very critically. Nothing could go wrong anymore,” the grower looks back about a year later. The result of all efforts is impressive this year. The rooting of the tomato plants alone is 'better than ever'.
It was precisely that rooting that was a concern last year. Because, like many tomato growers, there have also been virus problems in recent years, it was difficult for Stoffels to unravel the exact causes of the problems. Oxygen measurements clearly showed that there were gains to be made here.
Low oxygen levels
The tomato grower works with a drain water heater for water disinfection at the ten-hectare location in Rijkevorsel. “We invested in this a long time ago, I think twenty years ago. We grow on coconut. As a result, our drain water is somewhat cloudier than, for example, when grown on rock wool. That made UV disinfection of our drain water more difficult.”
Paul is satisfied with the heater. It is reliable, but it also has a disadvantage. “By heating to temperatures of more than ninety degrees Celsius, oxygen disappears from the water.” Measurements at the grower also showed this last year. Nadir Laaguili from Agrona has the figures ready. “The water temperature was particularly high in one of the silos near the heater. When the Agrona nanobubble systems were started up, we measured an oxygen content of 4.8 ppm and 23 ppm immediately after start-up. Even in the silo with the warmer water we achieved 22 ppm.”
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