Wageningen University & Research will use the high-tech quarantine greenhouse for critical research on plant diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasitic nematodes

default

Fluence has been selected to provide LED lighting for high-tech quarantine greenhouse in Netherlands. (Credit: Unifarm – Wageningen University & Research)

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has selected Fluence by OSRAM to offer broad spectrum LED lighting for Serre Red high-tech quarantine greenhouse.

The university will use Serre Red for critical research on plant diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasitic nematodes, including quarantine pathogens.

The high-tech quarantine greenhouse will also be used for research on genetically modified organisms.

Serre Red high-tech quarantine greenhouse was constructed by Bosman van Zaal

Serre Red, which was constructed by Bosman van Zaal, is claimed to be one of the most advanced quarantine research facilities constructed to date.

The quarantine greenhouse includes 63 compartments ranging from 15m² to 52m² with individual climate control, air filtering and access locks.

Each compartment will include individual lighting controls that are associated with the Hoogendoorn climate control system.

Serre Red greenhouse also features advanced technical equipment, which has been installed in a corridor sunk below ground level to eliminate excess shade.

The fully electric greenhouse also includes various other features, including insulated double glazing, external shading, heat/cold storage and autoclaving that sterilises all materials including water and waste before leaving the greenhouse.

WUR’s researchers have selected broad spectrum lighting to reduce the influence of artificial light on their experiments.

Unifarm, the university’s greenhouse and field research facility, conducted a market consultation during November and December 2019 and later selected four manufacturers from a tender in January this year.

In April, Fluence secured the order upon completion of the examination of four solutions by WUR’s scientific committee.

The new Serre Red facility helps the university to expand its research capabilities on horticultural crop pathogens.

Fluence horticultural scientist Dr Theoharis Ouzounis said: “ToBRFV currently threatens tomato, bell pepper and chili pepper crops throughout the globe, causing most production greenhouses to close to visitors and creating increased costs for growers through extensive disinfection and other precautionary measures.

“There is no treatment other than prevention and pervasive damage has been reported globally. Research into prevention and treatment of viral diseases is extremely important to safeguard our food production.”

Recently, Cedar Valley Farms has selected Colorado-based agricultural lighting company Violet Gro’s LED grow lights for its greenhouse operations.