Better Root Development in Strawberries through Increased Oxygen

Agrona’s OxyBull Aeration System Ensures Optimal Oxygen Concentration in Water and Root Environment

Dutch Berries, a greenhouse strawberry farm in Zuilichem, has now implemented a third OxyBull aeration system. The system has been further enhanced with an oxygen sensor for continuous oxygen measurement in the basin or silo water. By connecting the system to the climate computer, the oxygen levels can be monitored continuously, ensuring optimal conditions for plant growth and root development.

This advanced system not only boosts the oxygen levels in the water but also provides precise control over the environment, promoting healthier plants and better yields.

Job van der Wal, Cultivation Manager at Dutch Berries: “More Oxygen at the Roots is Always Good.”

Dutch Berries, a 24-hectare greenhouse strawberry farm, has embraced innovative solutions for optimal plant health. Of the total area, 20 hectares were built in 2018. In greenhouse A, 10 hectares are dedicated to growing the Elsanta variety in hanging gutters, while in greenhouse B, also 10 hectares, the Malling Centenary variety is cultivated. These strawberries are harvested twice a year: once in the fall and again in the spring.

Each greenhouse is equipped with its own OxyBull aeration system, connected to separate water silos with different nutrient recipes. The OxyBull is placed at the bottom of the silo, ensuring the water is thoroughly circulated throughout the silo. This movement is crucial for oxygenating the water, promoting healthier root environments and better plant vitality.

Frans van Hulten, Cultivation Manager at Dutch Berries, and Nadir Laaguili, Director of Agrona, with a Day Supply Silo Featuring the OxyBull Aeration System

Water Vitality a Top Priority

Entrepreneur Gijbert Kreling had heard from other growers about the great effectiveness of the OxyBull aeration system. “Since the strawberry farm places high importance on water vitality, the grower wanted to enhance the oxygen levels in the nutrient water with the aeration system,” says Nadir Laaguili, director of Agrona. “He also chose this system because it requires little maintenance and offers high efficiency.”

The OxyBull system brings several benefits. “More oxygen at the roots is always beneficial. This leads to better rooting and more vigorous growth,” say the cultivation managers Frans van Hulten and Job van der Wal. “Additionally, water quality improves, with less organic contamination and reduced algae growth.”

Expansion of the OxyBull Aeration System

Last year, an additional 4 hectares of greenhouse (C) were built, where a summer crop of the Furore variety is grown from February to September/October. This is followed by a winter crop of the Sonata strawberry variety under LED lighting.

Having gained two years of positive experience with the OxyBull aeration system, the strawberry farm decided to add a third OxyBull aeration system with the expansion. This new system is equipped with an oxygen sensor that allows continuous monitoring of the oxygen levels. By connecting it to the climate computer, data is stored every 5 minutes and can be displayed in graphs on the computer screen. “This way, a grower or cultivation manager can easily monitor the oxygen levels in the incoming water up to the drip line from the comfort of their office,” says Nadir.