In Cyprus, the nursery and plant shop “Q Garden – Soteris Shaelos Plants & Flowers Ltd” has undergone a remarkable transformation in fertigation thanks to the installation by A&E STYLIANOU TECHNOCHIMIKI LTD of new, more efficient equipment that has made a difference to the health and growth of the plants.
Fertigation in Plant Nurseries
Background
“Q Garden is a plant growing and retailing business in Cyprus that extends over 40,000 square metres of land, encompassing both the nursery and the retail shop. Its diverse product portfolio includes nearly five hundred varieties of plants, both for indoor and outdoor use. This ranges from trees, edible plants, climbers, hangers, shrubs and ornamental plants, among others.
To keep these numerous plant varieties healthy and vibrant, fertigation is an essential part of the process. Q Garden was already familiar with the use of proportional hydraulic metering pumps for fertiliser application, but they encountered a critical problem: insufficient water line flow. The installed equipment could not adequately suck up the fertilisers due to low flow rates in the irrigation line.
Sometimes, in this type of projects, low flow rates are used. This low flow range does not allow the correct performance of pumps or hydraulic systems for the injection of fertilisers.
ITC's solution
A&E STYLIANOU TECHNOCHIMIKI LTD, a leading supplier of fertigation solutions, stepped in brilliantly to meet this challenge.
The equipment chosen for the project was the Dostec AC dosing pump. The Dostec AC dosing pump, regardless of the flow rate and thanks to a flow meter, doses in a proportional manner, solving the shortcomings of the installation.
Four pairs of Dostec AC with flow sensors were installed at four strategic points in the nursery. This measure solved the problem immediately. The first installation included two devices with a capacity of 400 litres per hour, and the customer was satisfied with the results, so a second installation included six devices with a capacity of 240 litres per hour at three different locations in the nursery.
The result of this transformation was not long in coming. With Dostec AC fertigation technology and flow sensors, Q Garden was finally able to apply fertiliser in a precise and controlled manner to all of its plants.
Smart fertigation not only solved the problem with low flow, but also saved resources by ensuring that the correct amount of fertiliser was applied. By improving plant health and growth, an increase in production and sales was achieved, which greatly benefited Q Garden.
Conclusions
Technology played a crucial role in “Q Garden”. Thanks to the vision of A&E STYLIANOU TECHNOCHIMIKI LTD and the implementation of advanced fertigation solutions, it has managed to improve product quality and increase customer satisfaction.
Investment in agricultural technology can have a positive impact on both the environment and business results, and lays the foundation for a greener and more prosperous future in the gardening and horticulture industry.
Location
- Zygi, Kalavasos, Chipre
Key points
- Problems with dosing equipment due to low irrigation water flow rates
- Different injection points for different irrigation sectors
- Accurate injection and application of fertilisers
- Increased technology for better efficiency and control
Products used
- Dostec AC: Advance control dosing pumps range
