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Project

Hydro-leek : optimizing cultivation technique of hydroponically grown leek

In Flanders, leek (Allium porrum) is one of the most important and most valuable open air vegetbal crops. The total surface area grown with leeks amounted to 3990 hectares on average in the period 2017 - 2019. 78 % of this leek is destined to the fresh marked. Societal pressure on the growing of leeks however strongly increased in recent years. Growing of leeks comes under pressure mainly because of nutrient and pesticide losses to soil and surface waters. And the presence of pesticide residues in in the harvested leeks. These pressures make it increasingly more difficult for growers to comply with quality standards. In 2015 still 408 growers were producing leeks for the REO auction (leading leek exporting auction in Flanders). In 2019 this number had decreased to 310 growers (a decrease of ±25 % in 5 years and a substantially higher number than the average decrease in farmers). Other problems as well contribute to the pressure on leek growers: (seasonal) labourers are increasingly difficult to find, and climate is becoming increasingly dryer, certainly in summer, which increases the need for irrigation and the presence of certain plagues such as thrips (Thrips tabaci). Since 2015, inagro is investigating the possibilities of hydroponically grown leek to counter the before mentioned problems and societal pressures. This was done with financial support from the REO-auction. Results of the first experiments growing leeks hydroponically in a DFT (Deep Float Technique) system were promising. In such a system, nutrient losses to ground and surface waters can be completely avoided and pesticide use can be drastically reduced as herbicides and treatments against soil bourne diseases are no longer needed.Furthermore, the system can be mechanized which alleviates the need for (seasonal) labour and of course irrigation is no longer needed. An extra advantage is the possibility to produce leeks ‘free of soil particles’ which opens up possibilities for export to new markets. In the project ‘Hydro - leek’ an attempt is made to collect all cultural and technical information needed to develop a fully automated cultivation system for hydroponical leek production. At the same time, efforts are made to introduce a newly developed growing system amongst leek growers. Collection of key figures and economical analysis must prove the feasibility of the system . The project addresses : - leek growers , supplying them with technical and economical information. Within the scope of the project, cooperation with pioneers will help establish the breaktrough of hydroponically grown leeks. - Suppliers of seedlings : within the scope of the project a cooperation is foreseen to guarantee the availability of seedlings for hydroponic leek production (size of the seedlings, cultivars and time of availability). - Extension agents : Inagro will set up an advisory service for starting ‘hydro-leek’growers.
Date:1 Aug 2021 →  Today
Keywords:Water
Disciplines:Horticultural production not elsewhere classified