Research merger in Belgium, Harvestis is the name
Source: VFD.com
This merger creates a powerful knowledge partner for the vegetable and strawberry sector, supporting growers through research, innovation, advice and demonstration to keep the horticultural sector sustainable, profitable and future-proof. Operating under a single, strong name, the knowledge center aims to become a leading partner for growers, technology companies, researchers and policymakers in Flanders and far beyond.
"At Harvestis, we are driven by a clear ambition: to become the leading European reference for practice-oriented horticultural research within our areas of specialization and to provide even better support to growers in a fast-changing environment. Harvestis is built on three pillars: practice-oriented research, accelerating innovation, and transfer knowledge to growers, advisers, education and policy," says Tom van Delm, Director of Research at Harvestis.
Researchers work closely with growers to translate science-based insights and technological developments into practical applications. Harvestis possesses broad expertise in areas including variety research, IPM, energy, sustainable water use and automation.
Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?
Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.
What is the operator takeaway from this trial?
If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.
