Crop protection, fertigation and nutrition are three key components of growing high-quality crops. In the greenhouse, effective applications of fertilizers, micronutrients and other nutritional products can mean all the difference between a plant that grows and one that thrives. Producers interested in the latter need to be able to distribute the right crop protection and nutrition products in the right amounts at the right times.
While fogging systems are commonly used to manage humidity and temperature levels, they also operate as delivery systems, assisting growers with product applications when they need them most. Keep reading to learn more about how greenhouse foggers can be used for plant health.
What do growers need to know about greenhouse pest management?
A balanced microclimate prevents unwanted pests from overpopulating and doing vast damage within an ecosystem. This balance is frequently disrupted by traditional pesticide usage. When a product kills both the pest and its natural predator, this can unintentionally cause the pest to become resistant to the pesticide. Improper greenhouse pest management strategies increase the likelihood of resistance on a larger scale.
When it comes to maintaining the ideal growing environment, an integrated pest management (IPM) plan is essential. The development of greenhouse pest infestations can be quite devastating. A solid IPM program saves cultivators time and money by mitigating crop damage and loss.
Unlike crop management strategies that employ pesticides and other chemicals throughout the grow season, IPM applies a pesticide at the right moment in a pest’s life cycle, when it will be most effective. Adequate IPM helps stabilize ecosystems, while providing natural alternatives to traditional synthetic pesticides, creating a safer work environment for employees and plants.
The risk of greenhouse pests and diseases can be exacerbated by a lack of humidity and temperature control. In a commercial greenhouse, humidity is always an issue, particularly during a long rainy season or an extended drought that is marked by intense periods of unmasked sunlight. Koolfog high-pressure misting systems empower growers to program accurate temperature and humidity levels within the greenhouse. Much like an air conditioning unit, a system can be pre-programmed to reflect the operation’s ideal microclimate.
How can greenhouse foggers be used as part of an IPM plan to effectively manage pests?
Maintaining healthy plants is essential in managing potential infestation and controlling pest populations. In a similar manner to that of a human immune system, plants have their own defense that becomes stronger as they built up immunity to pests and diseases. A well thought out workflow for foliage and soil sustenance will help healthy plants fight off pests.
A high-pressure automated greenhouse misting system can help. Operating at pressures of 1000 psi+, Koolfog produces a dense fog with billions of micron-sized water droplets that can completely penetrate the plant canopy, reaching into the furthest crevices. IPM agents can be infused directly into the fog on a schedule.
When combined with effective IPM agents, greenhouse foggers work to eliminate pest problems. Additives can be accurately measured during this process and automatically delivered, reducing labor requirements and increasing pest management efficiency.
The high-pressure misting system can be designed for screen houses and shade houses, or larger-scale greenhouse operations with multiple zones. Sitting underneath greenhouse environmental control systems, growers output fog at constant pressure levels, pulse output or output using variable pressure control and staging.
Ultimately, greenhouse misting is an effective and safe IPM option that helps crops flourish. An effective pest management plan minimizes threats, helping growers to produce high-quality plants that boast bigger yields.
How can greenhouse foggers be used to apply fertilizer and nutritional inputs?
Operating at pressures of 1000 psi+ Koolfog greenhouse foggers produce a dense vapor with billions of micron-sized water droplets that can completely penetrate a plant canopy or root system, reaching into the furthest crevices. When combined with effective fertilizer and nutritional inputs, the fogging system delivers precise applications when crops need them most.
The high-pressure greenhouse fogger can be specifically designed to meet the needs of screen houses and shade houses, or larger-scale greenhouses with multiple zones. Automated programs that integrate with existing facility operations management systems, allow growers to fertigate different areas with the output fog at constant pressure levels, pulse output or output using variable pressure control and staging.
Proper crop fertigation and nutrition should not be understated. Implementing a Koolfog greenhouse fogging system can dramatically reduce pest and disease issues, as well as provide long-term success in producing robust yields.
