One of the UK's leading soft fruit growers has replaced a
troublesome irrigation and feeding system with state-of-the-art
technology from Priva, a move that has introduced reliability, cost
savings and improved fruit quality.
The grower in question specialises in supplying soft fruit to
selected major retailers and Michelin star restaurants. Its
strawberry crop is grown under multi-bay and telescopic poly
tunnels, and last year the company decided to automate its feeding
and irrigation, which would help take care of processes such as
electro-conductivity (EC) dosing of fertiliser and acid dosing of
irrigation water to correct pH levels - but things didn't go to
plan. In a matter of weeks it was evident that all was not well,
there was an acid leak and the dosing was not functioning properly,
all of which was leading to unacceptable levels of fruit 'pulping'
between picking and packaging due to a lack of reliable feed.
Preston-based Arden Lea Group, an irrigation specialist and
Priva dealer, was on site attending to another project when it was
consulted about the strawberry issue. With an important crop season
ahead, the company wasted no time in asking Priva UK to help
develop a potential solution for the grower to consider.
Full assessment
"In theory the existing system was looking at factors such as EC
and pH, but wasn't capable of doing the necessary calculations for
correct control," says Nick Field, Commercial Manager at Priva UK.
"Also, the fertiliser dosing pumps weren't man enough for the
job."
Having just made substantial investment in its hydroponic soft
fruit production, Priva recognised the need to reuse existing
system components where possible, and this included most of the
filtration side of the system along with the main irrigation pump.
As for the new Priva components, on the feed/fertiliser side, two
Priva NutriJet dosing systems were
recommended for dosing at 45m³/hr (into a closed mixing chamber)
for outgoing water. Priva NutriJet is a packaged unit for feed and
acid dosing. It normally offers an integrated pump but can
optionally be supplied without, where there is an existing customer
pump, as in this case.
Regarding irrigation water, a Priva Neutralizer
automatic pre-treatment and dosing system was proposed to take care
of the possibility that the bicarbonate content of irrigation water
may be too high.
Reducing bicarbonate levels allows growers to reliably control
subsequent EC and pH levels. This results in a stable pH from the
fertiliser dosing unit down to the roots and enables plants to
absorb fertilisers more efficiently. The Priva Neutralizer removes
bicarbonate from borehole, surface (rain) and mains water.
From a control perspective, Priva proposed for all equipment to
be linked using a PC with data logging capability and long term
data storage. This could provide a plethora of useful information
in graphical format, such as measured EC and pH flow rates, and the
daily quantities going out on each valve. It would also be possible
to log in remotely from anywhere with an internet connection,
including smart phones. The proposal by Priva and Arden Lea used
the existing wireless control system, and this would turn out to be
the first UK installation where Priva linked to the valves via a
(third party) wireless control system, demonstrating important
market capability.
Sweet success
Suitably impressed, installed two systems in July 2010,
with the upshot being considerable benefits, such as savings in
both water and fertiliser - prices for the latter have risen
dramatically in recent times. Reliable feed and irrigation has also
led to less fruit pulping, and potentially, improved fruit flavour
and shelf life.
But ultimately, reliability is the key advantage for the grower,
which is currently considering quotations to add two further
systems.
"Unlike the previous system, the Priva set-up does what we want
it to do, all of the time, reliably," states a spokesperson at the
grower's farm. "Since it was installed last year it's been as good
as gold - all of our previous hassles have disappeared."
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