High-tech applications for climate-neutral greenhouse horticulture
The INTERREG project Glitch aims to introduce more high-tech into greenhouse horticulture by intervening in the innovation process itself
After all, enteric emissions in Flanders should be reduced by 19% by 2030 compared to 2005 (Flemish Climate Plan).Research approachIn a first phase, we look for adapted and validated measuring techniques, because it is not easy to correctly determine the digestive gases of cows on the pasture.
Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from grazing cattle.
In-depth knowledge of soil pathogens in greenhouse soil offers opportunities for IPM
In the intensive greenhouse cultivation of butterhead lettuce, the correct identification of soil pathogens and newly acquired insights into their potential to damage crops can help the lettuce plants to grow well but with fewer chemical treatments
How much methane, a greenhouse gas, do different types of cattle produce exactly under different circumstances in Flanders? Which technologies can measure this accurately? And how can we use these technologies to evaluate new and existing methane reduction techniques?
These emissions form a significant part of total greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and help determine the climate impact of meat and dairy farming.
Greenhouse gases: a question of balance Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are natural greenhouse gases. They play an important role in the quality of life on our planet by naturally retaining some of the solar energy in the atmosphere that lands on the earth.
Main research questionThe Interreg 2 Seas project Horti-BlueC puts together the puzzle pieces of various useful organic waste streams to create better and more sustainable growing substrates in greenhouses. The specific goal is to make the substrates for strawberry and tomato in greenhouses more sustainable.
Continuous emissions measurement at the local level ILVO’s Environmental Engineering research team has more than 10 years of experience in measuring emissions (ammonia, dust, greenhouse gases, odor) from stables. Commissioned by the Flemish government, the team sets up measurement campaigns to determine emission factors from livestock houses.
all parties, reads: "…that Flanders plays a leading role in the field of climate-efficient agricultural and horticultural production; (...) that the know-how of the Flemish agricultural and horticulture sector regarding the global climate problem is further developed to obtain climate-efficient agricultural and horticultural products, with lower greenhouse
They share an impressive infrastructure: Specialized research infrastructure > 200 ha trial fields, including +/- 6 ha for organic cultivation50 ha organic trial fields and an agro-ecological trial platform> 15,000m² experimental greenhouses and climate chambers for research, including for quarantine organisms> 20,000m² experimental animal
The experimental fields, stables and greenhouses, as well as the 40 accredited labs and the ILVO Food Pilot are used for practical tests. In addition, we also test products on farms and at food companies of our network.