News potato storage
New technology important in disappearing CIPC
Storage specialist Omnivent is working on various techniques to combat the disappearance of the germ inhibitor chlorpropham (CIPC). For example, there is a focus on accurate monitoring of gases in storage.
"By means of chlorpropham, potatoes could easily be kept calm. Now that the sprout inhibitor has been removed, it becomes much more of a challenge for growers to keep the product calm with the good storage methods and techniques," says Cor van Maanen, sales manager at Omnivent.
One of the ways in which Omnivent® is responding to the disappearance of the sprout inhibitor is by developing a module in their storage computer Omnicuro. With this module, the retention program is adapted to the use of replacement resources (such as 1.4 Sight and Biox-M).
Adapted programme
The module ensures that a storage program is automatically started for the administration of the resources. After administration, this storage computer ensures that the storage remains hermetically sealed for 48 hours. This is because the replacement agents are gases and the potatoes must absorb the agent well. Then there is ventilation at a lower air speed.
"It is becoming more important to bring the product quickly to storage conditions. It is therefore necessary to dry as quickly as possible, so that the wound healing period is as short as possible. In my view, the product must be brought to the storage temperature within 3 weeksÂ. That is why mechanical cooling is This is important. A cool temperature is also important, because the cooler it is, the less preservative you need to use. As a result, the use of substances can be reduced by half," says van Maanen.
Trying out new resources
He advises growers to start testing the new preservatives in part of their storage now. "Growers can already become acquainted with the change. In the coming year, they can build on the experience they are now gaining."Â Since these new preservatives are gases, it is important to measure the concentrations of these gases in the custody. Omnivent is therefore developing methods to measure these concentrations. "This allows for even better anticipation."
Van Maanen is proud of the Omnicuro. "You get more options in storage. However, with our Omnicuro we keep it possible to use this in a convenient way. It is also ideal that you become more aware of the storage process through the computer. From statistics we collect, you can "We can see very well whether the storage is going well. We learned, for example, that less ventilation is better for the efficiency of the application of 1.4 Sight. The growers must have as much confidence in the Omnicuro as in GPS systems."
Harvest 2019
For the storage of products from the 2019 harvest, it is important that there is considerable ventilation. In addition, it is important that the temperatures remain reasonably high. "The product is wet and cold, so you need the heat to be able to dry."
About 140 people work at Omnivent. In addition to the head office in Zeewolde, there are other locations in Hedel and Poland. The company produces about 2.000 fans per year and is internationally oriented. In addition to standard storage, Omnivent also has products such as the Omnibreeze. This helps to keep the product moist enough in dry countries.
Anne-Jan Doorn
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