Trutina opens your eyes

Optimizing Cucumber Cultivation in the Netherlands
Location: The Netherlands
Crop Type: Cucumber
Product used: Trutina

Empowering Precision Irrigation and Plant Care for Unparalleled Results

For over 15 years, a cutting-edge cucumber-producing greenhouse in the Netherlands has set a benchmark for innovation in the industry. This case study takes us to Van Lipzig Tuinderijen B.V., a well-established greenhouse operation in the Netherlands, led by Frank van Lipzig. Spanning eight and a half hectares, this family-run operation has consistently prioritized modernization, from adopting state-of-the-art technologies to refining its management strategies. The grower’s recent experience with Gremon Systems’ Trutina plant diagnostic and monitoring system underscores the transformative power of precision data, with the grower stating, "Trutina opens your eyes. It gives you insight into exactly what a plant is doing and warns you before stress occurs.
This case study is based on an interview with Bart Versteegen, a highly experienced greenhouse grower in the Netherlands. Bart shared his firsthand experiences using Gremon Systems' Trutina and provided valuable insights into how the system has transformed his irrigation strategy and overall crop management. Through his perspective, we explore the measurable benefits and impact of precision irrigation on greenhouse operations.

The Challenge: Achieving Consistency and Optimal Plant Health

Operating in an industry where efficiency and sustainability are paramount, the greenhouse faces the dual challenge of maintaining uniform plant health across four distinct sectors and meeting stringent production targets. Each sector presents unique microclimates, requiring precise irrigation and environmental control to optimize yield and quality. Traditional irrigation scheduling relied on intuition and manual calculations—prone to inefficiencies and plant stress. "Before Trutina, I’d look at the graph, try to calculate weight loss manually, and hope I got it right," the grower shared. "Now, I know exactly when and how much water to give, thanks to Trutina’s precise data."

The Solution: A Complete System for Unmatched Precision

Gremon Systems’ Trutina delivers a data-driven and comprehensive system for irrigation management, integrating advanced plant weight measurement, substrate monitoring, and real-time analytics. Unlike traditional tools, Trutina provides actionable insights that empower growers to make informed decisions and proactively address challenges.

Key benefits experienced by the grower include:

Accurate Water Management: "The first and last irrigation are the most critical," the grower explained. "With Trutina, I can ensure the exact 9% weight loss I’m aiming for, keeping plants healthy and productive."

János Lóczi, co-founder of Gremon Systems, further emphasized the importance of timely saturation, stating: “Reaching the saturation level at the right time is crucial. If delayed, there is a risk of disrupting the plant's water balance, which can lead to increased flower and fruit abortion, ultimately impacting overall yield.”

Stress Prevention: "Trutina warns me before plants are under stress, so I can take action early. This keeps my plants out of danger and ensures consistent growth."

János further explained the complexity of irrigation adjustments,  highlighting that: “Irrigation strategy cannot be based solely on the current light conditions. For example, after several sunny days, a sudden cloudy day doesn’t immediately reduce plant activity, as the accumulated reserve energy keeps the plants more active. Ignoring this factor could lead to overwatering or improper irrigation timing.”

Insightful Data: The system provides clear metrics on biomass weight, drain percentages, and substrate saturation. "It’s like having a window into what my plants are experiencing," the grower said.

Trutina’s reliability and ease of use have also earned the grower’s trust. "The hardware is built for greenhouses. We’re working in a jungle, not a living room, and Trutina handles these conditions effortlessly," Bart noted.

Implementation and Insights: A Collaboration That Drives Results

The grower’s journey with Trutina has been a story of collaboration and continuous learning. Monthly consultations with Gremon Systems’ specialist János Lóczi have been instrumental in refining irrigation strategies and optimizing plant care."János knows so much about water management—he’s taught me to fine-tune everything," the grower said. "From when to start and stop irrigation to how to respond to sudden weather changes, his advice has been invaluable."

One major insight involved adjusting screening strategies to mitigate the effects of rapid weather changes. "Before, we never realized how much outgoing radiation could harm the plants," the grower explained. "Now, we screen early on sunny days to protect the head from cooling too quickly. It’s made a huge difference in preventing diseases."
Additionally, the grower emphasized how Trutina’s detailed analytics have changed how they manage their greenhouse. "I’m more proactive now. I check Trutina first thing in the morning and adjust my irrigation schedule based on the night’s data. It’s made my job easier and more efficient," - Bart explained.

Results: Beyond Expectations

The grower’s experience with Trutina has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting measurable improvements in efficiency, plant health, and yield stability:

  1. Reduced Stress and Disease: "In cucumbers, it’s common to see diseases in the plant heads due to stress. Thanks to Trutina, we almost never see this anymore. Keeping plants out of stress has been a game-changer."

  2. Optimized Resource Use: "The system has made our water usage far more precise, saving resources while ensuring plants get exactly what they need."

  3. Increased Yield Stability: "We grow about 230 cucumbers per square meter annually. With Trutina, I’m confident I could push that even higher without risking plant health."

János pointed out another crucial stress factor that Trutina can detect: “Plant overload is a significant stress factor that can be identified through Trutina’s data analysis. The system can even predict the threshold that should not be exceeded to maintain optimal plant health. If a plant remains in an overloaded state for too long, this stress will negatively impact its potential in the following days, reducing overall productivity.”

Want to take your greenhouse operations to the next level? Learn more about our tools that help you make better decisions, every day.

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Explore expert takes, grower stories, and data-driven perspectives from the world of smart cultivation.

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Explore expert takes, grower stories, and data-driven perspectives from the world of smart cultivation.