The Netherlands
January 31, 2024

• The chain of seed production does not have to be fragile
• Extremely precise control of climatic conditions
• Complete certainty and thus guaranteed quality and quantity of seeds

That there are several vulnerable phases in the seed production process of fruiting vegetables is no secret. Due to the need for year-round seed supply, during the off-season, there is a move to other countries or even continents. The “gold” that breeders hold in their hands with the perfect father and mother plant is shipped and control is outsourced. This is not without risks. The plants are fragile, logistics are challenging, and quality assurance of the seed produced becomes complex and time-consuming.

“I can guarantee to deliver consistent quality and seed security”

Jaap Weerheim, Technical Consultant at Certhon

Jaap Weerheim, Technical Consultant at Certhon, can remove these headaches from a breeder. “We can make that vulnerable chain much less vulnerable by realizing seed production in advanced climate cells. And you get more security in return.” Producing seeds in climate cells brings several advantages that benefit the horticultural sector. Below we list some of the benefits:

• Protection against diseases and pests
  Certhon’s climate cells provide a protected environment that minimizes the risk of contamination by pests and diseases because interaction with the outdoor environment is eliminated. This results in clean and healthier crop production and ensures the usefulness of the seed produced.
• Year-round production
  Thanks to Certhon’s climate control technologies, seed production is no longer seasonal or location-specific. Our climate cells make it possible to produce high-quality seeds year-round, eliminating dependence on weather conditions and ensuring a constant supply of quality seeds.
• Optimized growing conditions
  Certhon’s climate cells enable managers to exercise extremely precise control over essential environmental factors for seed production, such as temperature, light levels and CO2 concentration. This results in a perfectly tuned environment that promotes plant growth. “Think, for example, of controlling humidity very specifically, creating the right pollination conditions so that the pollen can be harvested perfectly,” Jaap said.
• Guaranteed quantity and quality
  Thanks to the optimized environmental factors and the control you have as a production company, you can be sure of the result. Both the quality and quantity of the seed raised.

Certhon’s turnkey climate cell solutions ensure consistent quality of produced seeds. This is crucial for breeding companies, but also for other companies within the horticultural sector, where a reliable supply of high-quality seeds is essential. Jaap continues, “With our climate cells, we are taking a revolutionary step in seed production. In our Certhon Innovation Centre we like to investigate, together with breeders, the best conditions per crop and variety in order to then be able to provide that seed security.”

Website: http://http://www.certhon.com

Published: February 1, 2024