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Hydroponic Systems recommends the Agrifresh aluminium thermodiffuser mesh as a proven solution. (Image credit:Hydroponic Systems)

Equipment

Hydroponic Systems is helping greenhouse growers tackle the challenge of optimising microclimates without compromising light or productivity.

In warm regions, particularly for heat-sensitive crops like strawberries, tomatoes, and peppers, managing radiation, temperature, and heat stress is critical. Heat-diffusing mesh has become an essential tool in balancing light levels and reducing heat buildup inside greenhouses, proving to be one of the most effective solutions for these challenges.

The mesh works by partially blocking infrared radiation while allowing useful diffuse light to pass through. This reduces internal temperatures, alleviates heat stress, and sustains photosynthetic activity. According to Hydroponic Systems, this approach helps "improve fruit quality, reduce plant stress, and stabilise growing conditions," especially during periods of high radiation.

The mesh achieves this through a combination of light diffusion and thermal reflection. The diffusion process disperses light, preventing hot spots and ensuring even distribution of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) across the plant canopy. This enables middle and lower leaves to contribute more effectively to photosynthesis. Aluminium particles embedded in the polymer structure reflect infrared radiation, which helps control heat accumulation. The result is a more stable greenhouse environment with fewer temperature spikes.

Hydroponic Systems recommends the Agrifresh aluminium thermodiffuser mesh as a proven solution. This patented fabric creates an effective thermal barrier without compromising light quality. According to the company, it works best in professional greenhouses of around half a hectare or more, where managing temperature and radiation is crucial for maintaining high yield and quality.

In practice, reduced infrared radiation leads to lower heat accumulation and fewer temperature fluctuations, especially during critical growth stages. Increased diffuse light improves PAR distribution, supports stable photosynthesis, and reduces the risk of heat stress. As a result, growers experience "more uniform fruit, fewer deformities, and better colour and firmness."

Strawberries, in particular, show significant benefits, with improved uniformity, firmness, colour, and crop stability. Similar positive trends have been observed in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other crops.

For optimal performance, proper installation is key. Correct height, tension, and orientation affect the mesh's effectiveness. Hydroponic Systems advises careful integration with ventilation systems for best results.

LUBING GreenTec Plastic Pads are engineered for long-term durability.

Equipment

As climate volatility continues to challenge modern horticulture, greenhouse operators are increasingly turning to advanced evaporative cooling technologies to maintain consistent growing conditions.

LUBING GreenTec’s Fogging- and Pad-Systems are designed to deliver precise climate control, supporting healthier crops, improved yields, and sustainable greenhouse management.

At the heart of the solution is high-pressure fogging technology. “LUBING GreenTec's high-pressure Fogging-Systems use direct evaporative cooling by injecting water at 70–100 bar through specialized nozzles, producing droplets smaller than five micrometers," Alexander Eugen, Deputy Head of Sales and Export at LUBING GreenTec, explains. "These droplets evaporate rapidly, lowering air temperature and raising humidity without wetting the plants."

By enabling ultra-fast evaporation, the system helps stabilise the vapour pressure deficit (VPD), a key metric in reducing plant stress and unlocking maximum growth potential. Thanks to its modular configuration, the fogging system can be tailored to greenhouses of varying sizes and adapted to diverse climatic zones. It can operate as a standalone solution or in combination with pad cooling, allowing growers to fine-tune conditions across different greenhouse areas.

Pad cooling applies the same evaporative cooling principle through a different process. “Air is drawn through wetted pads, and as part of the water evaporates, the air is cooled and humidified,” he explains. “Our water distribution ensures even wetting across the pad surface, which enhances cooling efficiency while reducing energy use.”

LUBING GreenTec Plastic Pads are engineered for long-term durability. Their advanced material structure supports uniform water flow, resists UV exposure, and allows cleaning with high-pressure washers, significantly extending lifespan compared to conventional paper pads.

Automation plays a crucial role in efficiency. “Both the Fogging- and Pad-Systems integrate seamlessly with climate computers, which process temperature and humidity sensor data to trigger activation automatically,” he notes. “Our systems also support zone control, so different areas of the greenhouse respond independently to local conditions. This enables growers to coordinate fogging or pad cooling with ventilation, shading, and CO₂ delivery for optimal results.”

Durability and ease of maintenance remain central to the design philosophy. “Components are made from stainless steel to resist corrosion, while modular pump assemblies and clip-profile pad mounts simplify servicing.” He adds, “In practice, growers report that our systems require relatively little maintenance, and our technical support helps minimize downtime.”

Proven results reinforce the value of these systems. A tomato greenhouse in Mexico recorded a yield increase of around 25% under extreme heat, alongside a 15–25% reduction in operating costs. Across Europe, flower growers in Germany, Italy, and Switzerland have maintained ideal humidity levels of 50–80%, improving crop quality and streamlining climate management.

Sustainability remains a key focus. The high-pressure fogging system maximises evaporation, reducing overall water consumption, while the Plastic Pad-System is manufactured from recycled materials and designed with low-pressure loss to cut fan energy use—making LUBING GreenTec a future-ready choice for climate-smart greenhouses.

 

The greenhouse is equipped with cutting-edge agricultural technologies.(Image credit: Turkmen portal)

Agriculture

Turkmenistan has taken another significant step towards advancing high-tech agriculture with the launch of a modern greenhouse complex in the Balkan province.

The new facility has been constructed and commissioned at the Nurly meýdan farming enterprise in the Bereket district, underscoring the country’s growing focus on sustainable food production and agricultural innovation.

The opening ceremony brought together a wide range of attendees, including representatives of the Balkan province and Bereket district administrations, members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, public organisations, deputies of the Mejlis, members of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council), respected elders, and local residents. The event reflected the importance of the project for both regional development and national food security.

During the celebrations, builders who played a key role in completing the project were honoured with valuable gifts presented on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan. The ceremony was enlivened by traditional songs and dances performed by local artists, creating a festive atmosphere that highlighted the cultural significance of the occasion.

Following the elders’ blessing, guests were invited to tour the greenhouse and explore its advanced infrastructure and production systems. Spanning an area of 10 hectares, the complex is complemented by fully landscaped surroundings and a range of technical and auxiliary facilities designed to support efficient operations.

The greenhouse is equipped with cutting-edge agricultural technologies supplied by companies from the Netherlands, Türkiye, Greece, Italy, Spain, and other countries. With an annual production capacity of up to 2,000 tonnes of tomatoes, the facility is expected to make a substantial contribution to domestic food supply.

Elite tomato seeds imported from European countries have already been planted and are beginning to produce their first harvest, highlighting the project’s strong production potential and its role in strengthening agricultural development and food security in the region.

African Farming

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New mobile app for real-time engagement between horticultural AI and indoor growers

The mobile app bridges the gap between growers and operators. (Image source: FarmVisionAI)

Agriculture AI company FarmVisionAI has introduced a new mobile app designed to engage growers in-field with vision AI stress detections

The mobile app brings FarmVisionAI’s horticulturist trained AI to a smartphone platform that can be used while scouting plants and walking the farm.

Location-specific information allows the grower and FarmVisionAI to validate the detections and complement the close-up images taken with the phone camera. The photos of the grower are geo-tagged to the location and appear in the desktop application that shows the grow in a ‘Google-earth’ like visualisation. To add value and explain what is happening in progress and what needs to be done, notes, recommendations, and actions can be applied to the imagery.

“The FarmVisionAI mobile app is a critical piece of functionality that bridges the gap between growers and operators,” said Jeff Bisberg, Illumitex CEO. “Our real-time imagery is the ground truth and provides transparency that can cut through communication barriers and finger-pointing.”

“Growing at scale can be extremely complex. The ability for FarmVisionAI users to capture images of specific issues through the mobile app is huge,” said Mark McDevitt, FarmVisionAI horticulture science leader. “First, the pictures are stored securely and organised in the FarmVisionAI system instead of the grower’s phones. Second, it makes it possible to analyse and diagnose individuals from anywhere in the world. And thirdly, it is an intellectual property repository in the form of visually based knowledge, specific to that site, which can be used for training, benchmarking and SOPs.”

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Crops

Reduco emerged as the successor, operating as the production arm of the cooperative Beyond Wood. (Image credit: Greenport West-Holland)

Agriculture

Turning eggplant residuals into high-performance construction panels may sound unconventional, but Dutch innovator Reduco is proving that circular building solutions can come from the most unexpected places.

According to Greenport West-Holland, these panels are fully circular, moisture resistant and fire safe, offering a promising alternative to conventional construction materials. Founder Wilfried Martens now hopes the market will adopt the product, enabling large-scale production in the coming years.

Martens did not originally come from the construction sector. After working as a dairy farmer, he decided to leave agriculture behind and pursue a new direction. A chance encounter with eggplant nursery Greenbrothers in Zevenbergen sparked an innovative idea: could residual streams from eggplant cultivation be transformed into durable building panels? This question led to the creation of Nova Lignum thirteen years ago. Although that company eventually went bankrupt, the concept itself proved resilient.

Reduco emerged as the successor, operating as the production arm of the cooperative Beyond Wood. The cooperative’s mission is to add value to agricultural residual streams for the construction industry. Initial success came from using willow residuals, and once that process was proven, the earlier eggplant concept was revived as a next step towards fully circular construction materials.

Wilfried Martens explained the reasoning behind this structure, and said, "It is important to create a high-quality building material to compete in construction, because you are dealing with competition from current products. By working together in a chain, you can create value together and strengthen each other. That is why the entire chain is represented in the cooperative Beyond Wood. It is a way to work together towards social goals and find better solutions than each on their own."

The collaboration with Greenbrothers was built on trust and shared innovation. Processing eggplant stems presented technical challenges, particularly the need for intensive manual preparation.

For now, production is paused, but momentum is building. The eggplant initiative is also featured on the Bioboost platform, which connects and promotes biobased innovations within horticulture, reinforcing the role of plant-based residuals in the future of sustainable construction.

Ottevanger Services provides comprehensive support to feed producers. (Image credit: Ottevanger)

NewLeaf Symbiotics launched New vegetable transplant technology launches in California.(Image credit: NewLeaf Symbiotics)

Livestock

The future of marine resources.

Aquaculture

The Philippines is intensifying its efforts to ratify a landmark international treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), reinforcing its commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable marine resource management

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has pledged full support to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in promoting the Senate’s concurrence to the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Signed under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the BBNJ treaty addresses the conservation and equitable use of marine resources in high seas and other regions beyond exclusive national control.

Although Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President ratified the agreement in 2024-a year after its global adoption - the treaty still requires Senate concurrence before the Philippines can officially participate.

Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture Secretary emphasised the agreement's relevance for the Philippines, said, “The BBNJ Agreement is crucial for conserving and sustainably managing marine biodiversity in areas beyond the Philippines’ jurisdiction, allowing the country to safeguard its rich marine ecosystems while ensuring fair access to and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.”

As a nation composed of over 7,000 islands and located near areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), the Philippines has a strong stake in the treaty’s success. It was an early signatory and active participant in the negotiation process, aligning with global conservation goals and the principles of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.

Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate stressed the strategic timing of the ratification: once approved by the Senate, the Philippines will be eligible to participate in the first Conference of Parties (COP1). This milestone event is expected to take place shortly after 60 countries submit their ratification instruments to the United Nations. As of late August, 55 nations have completed the process, with momentum building towards reaching the required threshold during the UN General Assembly from September 23–26.

The BBNJ treaty represents a critical tool for archipelagic nations like the Philippines—not only to influence global marine governance but also to safeguard marine ecosystems, promote fair benefit-sharing, and support the livelihoods of coastal communities reliant on ocean resources.

Crayfish provide a nutrient-dense, low-impact protein source that requires minimal feed.

Hamlet Protein manufactures high-quality soy-based protein ingredients designed for young piglets, poultry, and calves.(Image credit: Hamlet Protein)

Equipment

Propane Dehumidifier Improve Greenhouse Efficiency.(Image credit: Bimco Holland)

Equipment

As global pressure mounts to phase out refrigerants with a high Global Warming Potential (GWP), the horticulture sector is rapidly adapting to more sustainable climate-control technologies.

Bimco Holland is responding to this shift with the launch of its latest innovation, the Bimco-4Eco — a compact dehumidification unit designed to meet future environmental regulations while delivering major energy savings for growers.

The refrigerants landscape is evolving quickly, and products with high GWP values are increasingly under scrutiny. According to Bimco Holland, it is only a matter of time before such refrigerants are fully phased out. This reality prompted the company to develop the Bimco-4Eco, for which a patent has already been filed.

“It is a compact, easy-to-install unit, designed with upcoming regulations in mind,” said sales manager Joost de Goeij. “With a GWP of just 4.5 and the natural refrigerant R290, the 4Eco is completely future proof.”

The Bimco-4Eco replaces the earlier Bimco-4E model, which operated on R407C. The new system instead uses R290 — commonly known as propane offering a significantly lower environmental footprint. Joost highlights another key benefit: “Because we use R290 and only a small amount of refrigerant, the legally required yearly leakage check is no longer needed, which saves growers both money and administrative hassle.”

Designed specifically for modern greenhouse operations, the Bimco-4Eco focuses on practical performance and flexibility. Bimco recommends installing multiple compact units per greenhouse section rather than relying on a single central system. This approach improves air distribution and creates a more uniform growing climate. “By placing multiple compact units rather than one large central machine, the greenhouse climate becomes far more uniform. This helps prevent wet corners and cold spots.”

Operating at a modest noise level of 63 dB, the unit delivers a soft, horizontal airflow to avoid overdrying around the machine. Weighing approximately 140 kilograms, it can be installed easily without cranes or major structural adjustments, fitting neatly between gutters, walkways or above technical rooms.

Beyond sustainability, the Bimco-4Eco delivers measurable performance gains. “By treating moisture internally instead of relying on cold outside air, growers can save up to 50 percent energy compared to traditional heating and venting, especially when combined with good screen management,” said Joost.

The unit also supports better disease control, improved crop uniformity and higher yields. Growers may also be eligible to apply for an EG subsidy, further enhancing the technology’s appeal.

Hydroponic Systems recommends the Agrifresh aluminium thermodiffuser mesh as a proven solution. (Image credit:Hydroponic Systems)

LUBING GreenTec Plastic Pads are engineered for long-term durability.

Technology

The latest generation of Braud harvesters demonstrates impressive versatility across a wide range of vineyard structures. (Image credit: New Holland)

Machinery & Equipment

New Holland Agriculture continues to set new standards in modern viticulture with its acclaimed Braud grape harvester range - a series celebrated globally for precision, productivity and long-lasting reliability.

Built on decades of specialist expertise, the Braud brand has become synonymous with exceptional grape-harvesting performance, and under the New Holland umbrella it remains a trusted partner for winemakers seeking both efficiency and gentle crop handling.

Each Braud harvester reflects a signature blend of engineering excellence and vineyard-friendly design. The machines are created to treat vines with care while delivering powerful harvesting capability, ensuring that grapes are collected cleanly and with minimal damage. This focus on protecting fruit integrity directly enhances vineyard productivity and supports the production of higher-quality wines.

The latest generation of Braud harvesters demonstrates impressive versatility across a wide range of vineyard structures. With both high-capacity and extra-high-capacity models, including the popular 9000 L and 9000 X series, the range adapts effortlessly to narrow boutique vineyards, expansive commercial estates, and even sloped terrain. Their advanced systems  such as the industry-proven Noria basket conveying system, optional destemmer technology, and innovative side-conveyor configurations  ensure consistently clean, gentle and efficient fruit handling.
This adaptability makes Braud harvesters an ideal choice for growers looking to streamline operations while maintaining strict quality standards. Backed by a global legacy and trusted by thousands of vineyard operators, these machines are built to deliver season after season, reducing labour needs, improving harvest speed, and preserving overall vine health.

Engineered for durability and operator comfort, the Braud range combines robust construction with intuitive controls, offering ease of use without compromising on precision. The result is a harvester that not only boosts productivity but also supports sustainable agricultural practices, helping vineyards reduce waste and optimise long-term output.

Choosing a Braud grape harvester means investing in a heritage of innovation, reliability and world-leading vineyard technology  giving growers confidence in every harvest and reinforcing New Holland’s reputation as a champion of next-generation viticulture solutions.

COMPASS accurately detects and removes a wide range of foreign materials, including dirt clods, rocks, sticks, insects and animal parts.(Image credit: Key Technology)

ROK aims to position itself at the forefront of green bio innovation.

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