Travelling light... the Lisianthus Mini Plug

摘要

Photographic assisted selection for mini sized plugs of lisianthus is the latest automated young plant innovation developed by J.v.Egmond & Zn. Albrecht van Egmond Snr. says, "Foreign markets far and near can now capitalize on trays filled with uniform, high guality young plants at reduced transport costs." The family run company, J.v.Egmond & Zn., has been active in the selection and multiplication of young plants from seeds and tissue culture for more than 20 years. "For five years now, the uniformity of lisianthus young plants has been the highest and most demanding criteria," comments the company's sales manager, Theo de Graaf. During this time, in collaboration with Visser International, J.v.Egmond & Zn. has been investing in the development ofautomated selection systems. The newest selection system is unique in its ability to work with mini sized plugs. First, the 864-hoIe tray (60 x 40 cm) is photographed. The screen shot on the computer identifies both non-germinated plugs and plants thatdo not match the selection standards. These are subsequently automatically replaced with correct standard young plants. The end result is a guarantee to the grower of a 100% filled tray of uniform plants. "We have developed this system for lisianthus, but it has the potential for application in a wider range of propagated flowers and pot plants," comments Albrecht van Egmond Snr.