- Hydroponic Systems designs a drainage collection system that saves farmers the economic and environmental costs associated with the use and removal of substrate bags.
Hydroponic Systems has recently launched its new strawberry crop drainage collection system called HS Evolution Pot. It is a metal gutter unit that allows growers to use customized bulk substrates as well as free distribution of plants.
By not requiring the typical substrate bags, it avoids the use of 180 kg of disposable plastic per hectare in each cycle, or in other words, it can save around one and a half tons during its life cycle. This is of direct benefit to farmers, who on the one hand reduce their environmental footprint, and on the other avoid the costs associated with the bags, both in terms of their purchase and their removal.
This important advantage is in addition to the advantages of this professional drainage system already used by strawberry growers in Northern Europe. Thanks to its design, it achieves highly efficient drainage that avoids root contact with moisture and, therefore, possible diseases.
The existence of a space between the drainage outlets and the surface of the gutter also guarantees a constant flow of aeration and extra oxygenation in the lower part of the roots, which has a positive effect on their growth, increasing the quantity and quality of strawberries.
In addition, this system facilitates the work in the greenhouse, thus saving on labour. It also makes better use of the surface area of the installation since it has a narrow gutter specifically designed so that growers can increase the lines if they wish.
