The development of energy prices, the reduction in the use of fossil fuels and the achievement of climate targets are significant aspects that challenge the production of cut roses under glass. The use of the climate strategy according to the ZINEG principle could become a helpful building block in the production chain. Extensive trials on this topic have been carried out at the Horticultural Research Center in Straelen since 2022. The results are very clear: 64% of energy was saved in the greenhouse with the ZINEG climate in 2022 and 36% in 2023 compared to the greenhouse with standard climate settings. Since spring 2024, the trial has been continued with newly planted other varieties. The horticultural entrepreneurs are supported by the technical advisory service when transferring the climate control system into practice.

Petroleum-based plastics are an integral part of our everyday lives and there often seem to be no alternatives. However, public pressure is increasing: the consumption of resources is being scrutinized just as critically as the environmental impact of plastic waste.

Many companies are thinking about how they can use this recyclable material sustainably or even avoid it altogether. They are supported by the LVG Ahlem of the LWK Lower Saxony, where alternative pot products have been put to the test for six years now. They are looking at issues such as machinability, plant growth in the pots, light permeability of the materials and their effect on root growth, longevity of the compostable pots both in production and via the marketing channel, through to the decomposition behavior in container plantings.

The presentation at the exhibition will provide an overview of current materials and developments.

At the Training and Research Institute for Horticulture (LVG) in Bad Zwischenahn, 15 different pots from various manufacturers will be tested using heather (Calluna). These pots are made from various recycled materials or bioplastics and are partially biodegradable. This raises the question: Are these pots suitable for long-term cultivation of Calluna for more than half a year outdoors?

Peat-reduced and peat-free substrates containing compost often have a high phosphorus and potassium content. In these cases, nitrogen top dressing can ensure a sufficient supply of nutrients. The available nutrients from compost components in the substrates can be optimally utilized. The use of fertilizers can be reduced. The release behaviour of the nitrogen fertilizers, the conversion processes in the substrates and the nutrient requirements of the plants should match. In the experiments at the Saxon State Institute in Dresden-Pillnitz, variants of a balanced nutrient supply were sought.

Since 2021, trials on peat-reduced or peat-free substrates have been carried out in the greenhouse and in the open field on various herb species at the Straelen Experimental Center's greenhouse vegetable production trials in cooperation with the cultivation advisory service. The trials are accompanied by regular meetings of regional practitioners.

The “TerZ100” project, which was launched in August 2024, builds on the work of the previous TerZ project and will run until December 2026. The project sponsor is the Agency for Renewable Resources. The project consortium of five model regions and their partners is working on reducing the use of peat in potted plant cultures as far as possible. The optimization of the nutrient supply through practical concepts, in particular the prevention of N deficiency through the determination of substrate components, plays an important role. In addition, we are investigating how the plants behave in these substrates on their way through various marketing channels to the point of sale.

By applying for derogations, conventional plant propagation material (PVM) can be marketed as organic ornamental plants within certain limits after further organic cultivation. The wide range of organic ornamental plants guaranteed in this way is now in danger of disappearing, as the derogation is due to end in 2036. The task now is to find alternatives for the production of organic PVM in order to enable “organic from the start” in ornamental plant cultivation. In the BioZierPVM project (“Analysis, establishment and promotion of the availability of organic plant propagation material (PVM) for ornamental plant farms”), project partners from research and practice are working together with a nationwide network of project companies on the further development of organic cultivation strategies, with a focus on the use of peat-reduced / peat-free substrates and the use of organic inputs for growth regulation. The exhibition contribution by LVG Heidelberg provides an overview of the results achieved to date.

Autonomous sensor-controlled driving has been around for years in agricultural technology and there are a wide variety of devices and machines that work with it. The challenges when transferring it to the greenhouse are the very limited space available and the lack of a GPS signal. Since 2024, a prototype of a self-propelled plot sprayer has been tested and further developed at the LLH test farm in Geisenheim. This enables highly precise application and maximum user protection at the same time.