Researcher Erik Pekkeriet: "There is a growing interest in horticultural technique when improvement of the cultivation yield is concerned. Up to now the attention of researchers, growers and advisors was always fully directed towards the plant. There is, however, a growing understanding that by applying new techniques a lot more may be won from horticulture. On the other side ICT-members recognize that the sector is in the front of the fields of automation and robotics. We have been requested to give a keynote lecture on innovative techniques in horticulture at two European conferences. These are interesting developments."
Questions such as high expenses of labour, saving of energy and the decrease of the use of plant protection means are of interest to all European horticultural companies. The use of new techniques, such as sensors, robots or different glasshouse cover materials can be part of the solution to these. Wageningen UR Glastuinbouw has a wide experience in horticultural techniques and is working on innovative solutions, which are directed towards the local situation. The new glasshouse is a good example of this.
Congresses
During Smart AgriMatics in Paris on 13 and 14 June Erik Pekkeriet will present to a large group of scientists engaged in robotics speak about the specific techniques in horticulture. At the She Symposium in Angers the searcher will speak about solutions offered by the technique to questions in the area of labour, energy and environment.
Source: Glastuinbouw.wur.nl