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ReduFuse achieves uniform distribution of light with minimum loss!

Good light levels are vital to pot herb production, both for speed of throughput and crop quality, but plants need to be protected, too, from excessive summer temperatures.

Moving newly potted nursery stock liners from the tightly controlled environment of a propagation unit and into a production glasshouse inevitably subjects the plants to stress.

A wide range of flowering and green pot plants performs better under ReduFuse. For some types the increase in productivity or acceleration of the production cycle is quite substantial.

Coating makes optimal growing possible. Diffuse light clearly can increase production and quality.

A few years ago Mardenkro introduced ReduFuse. It is a coating that diffuses sunlight while hardly reducing light transmission.

If you scatter light when radiation is high, the total photosynthetic efficiency of the entire crop increases. This is the main reason why diffuse light leads to greater production.

Kwekerij Loos, is a front-runner when it comes to the sustainable year-round production of strawberries. The nursery has three hectares of greenhouses that are heated with waste heat. Last year, for the first time, it achieved a summer crop under glass.

Leo and Maikel van den Berg have been growing sweet peppers at two locations in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, since 2012. This was the year they took over a greenhouse from a colleague. During the first season they found it difficult to maintain sufficient growth at this new location.

Dutch tomato grower T.W. van Noord makes every effort to have an energy efficient and vigorous crop. The nursery has been working with a new growing strategy for two years and is saving at least 10 per cent on natural gas.

‘La Libellula’ is a firm that is producing cut salads in the province of Bergamo (Northern Italy). Their main products are Valerian, Green and Red Lettuce, Arugula, Lettuce heads and ‘Spinacino’

Not only the amount of light but also its colour determines the growth and production of roses. The coating ReduFlex Blue allows relatively less blue light to enter the greenhouse.

Since Dutch flower nursery, van de Westeringh, started using ReduHeat and ReduFuse IR, the shade screens have hardly been used at all.

All our coatings are measured annually by the light lab at Wageningen UR.

Young Azaleas don’t like a lot of light. Therefore Mardenkro devised a shading system that mixes ReduSol with a black pigment to bring the young plants through the cuttings phase.

Water droplets on the inside of greenhouses due to condensation can cause considerable loss of light.

Different light colours each have their own effect on growth and development. Our knowledge about this is increasing and is starting to be applied. But does our ability to steer with light still lie way in the future?

The horticultural sector often uses a cleaning agent based on fluoride to clean glass. Fluoride chemically cleans the surface of the glass.

Short day plants flower during short days; long day plants flower during long days. It is becoming increasingly clear that light colour plays an important role in driving this effect.

Dutch rose nursery, Marjoland of Waddinxveen, saw its summer production rise under ReduFuse. Under ReduFuse IR the stems were also stronger. Fine-tuning the coatings continues.

Shade really matters to John Ellerbrook, co-owner of Blofield Nurseries near Norwich, Norfolk, in the east of England. He’s one of the country’s best-known specialists in evergreen shrubs such as azalea, camellia, euonymus, photinia, pieris and rhododendron.

Growing lilies without a shading agent is just about impossible. J&R Groenewegen of ’s Gravenzande, the Netherlands, have been using ReduSol for as long as it’s been on the market. “We are really pleased with it; we’ve not tried any other manner of shading since.”

The plant consists for the most part of water so it is quickly warmed up by infrared radiation. Water absorbs infrared very well. Reflecting infrared radiation before it enters the greenhouse therefore has a large impact on plant temperature.

Over the years different innovations have been introduced to obtain more light in the greenhouse. White coated pillars, larger panes of glass and narrower gutters all help to ensure that more light falls onto the crop.

Chrysanthemums benefit from shade in bright sun. Out of curiosity Chrysco Flowers of Cranbourne (neat Melbourne) decided to try ReduHeat. The coating has been good on all fronts: Better quality; higher production; and a more pleasant working climate.

Which ReduSystems product is best for my situation?
Mardenkro introduces the ReduWizard

During the winter natural light is the limiting factor for growth and production: Every reason to look at optimising the light entering the greenhouse during the winter. Frank Kempkes of Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture thinks it’s possible to improve it by 15-20%.

Orchid grower Opti-flor was able to use less artificial light at its Grandi-flora branch after ReduFuse was applied. The screen was also closed less often.

Controllability is a watchword for Alan Bretherton, senior grower at Ornamental Plants, one of the UK’s largest bedding plant nurseries, at Tarleton, Lancashire.

Willem Valstar gives advice to tomato growers both at home and abroad. At the centre is the amount of light available – natural and artificial. A growth model indicates the best approach to take under the local conditions and with the technology available.

ReduFuse IR has allowed cymbidium grower Eric van Paasen to close the screen later in the day. He expects a positive effect on the number of stems and stem length.

Van den Ende Rozen has used ReduFlex Blue for three seasons. It worked very well for the first two years: the roses were considerably longer.

What is the difference between ReduHeat and ReduFuse IR? The biggest difference is the degree of diffusion (haze). Using 22 buckets per hectare, the diffusion (haze) of ReduFuse IR is 72% and of ReduHeat it’s 41%. Both coatings reflect a part of the infrared light and transmit a large amount of light for growth.

Since the launch of ReduHeat in 2005 users often ask us if it is possible to combine different ReduSystems coatings with one another. Just to make it clear, when we talk about combining we mean ‘layering’ one coating over another, not mixing the products because that can definitely cause problems. 

Diffuse light can contribute towards a better fruit quality and higher production. It’s mostly these results that are mentioned when research has been carried out on diffuse light through glass, a coating or a screen.

The plant uses barely fifty per cent of the sun’s radiation energy for photosynthesis. This part of sunlight is called PAR-light. Within this range all the wavelengths have a function, contrary to what was once thought.

Diffuse light benefits almost all potted plants that have been tested in trials. Often the grower can allow in a greater amount of light, which will make the plants grow faster.

"Next Generation Growing starts with optimum cultivation," says crop consultant Peter Geelen of Plantmonitoring.nl. That means optimum utilisation of light. A diffuse coating is an excellent means for achieving that.

The light intensity and colour of light don’t just have an effect on the crop but also on pests and their natural enemies. The choices that a grower makes with respect to light also influence the biological balance in the greenhouse.

Pepper grower Johann Thell, of Tadten (Burgenland), has through previous use of ReduHeat and ReduFuse decided on ReduFuse IR. This appears to be the optimum coating for achieving higher quality and production.

Worldwide there is about 1.200.000 ha of professional plastic greenhouse and tunnel. Most crops in these greenhouses need protection against heat and/or light during summer.

Ex-tomato grower Toon Oomen teaches colleagues in Australia and New Zealand how to ‘read’ a crop. The extreme Australian conditions call for the use of ReduFuse.

After a trial in which half a roof was covered with ReduFuse, Kainz & Mayer Marchfeld tomatoes, has switched over to using it completely. Cluster quality and setting improved and some varieties yield more too.

Mardenkro leads the way when it comes to innovation. But Mardenkro isn’t innovating all by itself. In order to continuously innovate and ensure constant product quality, the Mardenkro laboratory works with leading worldwide research centres, universities and growers.

Alstroemerias do like light. “By using ReduFuse you remove the sharpness while minimising the light loss,” says Maurice Olsthoorn of Together2Grow.

ReduSystems is a group of coatings that can be removed with a single special cleaning solution: ReduClean. This cleaning agent makes it possible to remove all ReduSystems coatings from all types of greenhouse roofs.

The crop continually transpires. This leads to condensation on the glass roof. On one hand this is positive as it dehumidifies the greenhouse but on the other hand the condensation inhibits light entering. But a solution is in sight for the latter.

The strong radiation in the area around Auckland (New-Zealand) can lead to a reduction in yield and to too much generative plant growth. Since Underglass NZ started using ReduFuse, yield has risen and the greenhouse climate can be controlled better.

If the crop can remain active for longer on warm days it can also mean extra yield. In order to achieve that chrysanthemum grower Jan Boerma has been using ReduFuse.

In vegetable production the old rule of thumb still applies: 1% more light = 1% more yield. For this reason, dirty glass is not desirable. 

The quality of flowers and plants is, among things, determined by their shape and compactness. Many ornamental crops in greenhouses exhibit too much stretch. Therefore, to achieve the desired, uniform shape, growth inhibitors are used. 

Much is done in the modern greenhouse to save energy during the winter months. A saving that is simple to make, and one that is often forgotten, is painting the heating pipes.  

The plant performs three types of respiration. Of these, maintenance respiration offers growers the most opportunities to steer the crop, of which the most valuable way is ‘Grow based on light’. 

It is difficult in the greenhouse to measure light well. Certainly on clear days, shadows thrown by parts of the building cause a large difference in the light that falls upon the crop. 

Diffuse glass has a fixed haze factor. If you choose a diffuse coating it is possible to change the amount of light scatter, and hence haze, each year. 

The sweet pepper nurseries run by the Reedijk brothers, in Strijen and Westdorpe, the Netherlands, were some of the first to use ReduHeat. It prevents quality problems in the fruits. 

These days, Phalaenopsis growers are letting more light in. This requires getting the right balance between screens, coatings and humidity.

Optimal cultivation requires a balance between as much light as possible for the highest yield and shading for good quality. The ReduWizard helps to make the right choice between coatings.

In the Netherlands the levels of light are low in winter. We can compensate for this by using additional lighting, but it is also important to let in as much of the available natural light as possible. One way of getting more light in is to reduce light loss caused by condensation.

The coatings within ReduSystems are becoming more and more advanced. Advisors and users know about their properties and the changes being made to the growth strategy are leading to optimal results with higher crop returns.

A diffuse greenhouse roof improves both the vertical as well as the horizontal light distribution. This accounts for half of the positive effect of diffuse light on photosynthesis.

Dutch chrysanthemum grower Hein van Wordragen applies coatings to the greenhouse roof himself instead of using a contractor. This way he can determine precisely the timing and thickness of the layer. He works with several thin layers on top of each other.

An evenly applied coating is very important. Otherwise an uneven amount of light enters the greenhouse and that can result in a non-uniform crop or problems with the climate control. Gert-Jan van Hattem, of spraying specialist HPW Spuittechnieken, talks about the art of coating. 

Light is an important factor for achieving high yield and quality in a sweet pepper crop. Not only is the amount of light crucial, also its distribution during the day. Furthermore, the quality of the light, such as light colour and whether or not it’s direct or indirect is significant.

The arrival of photoselective coatings on the market has allowed more crop specific light to be offered to the plant. ReduHeat is the first photoselective coating that has been specially developed for horticulture. 

Gerbera is a light sensitive crop that benefits from high sums of light. However, during the summer months, too much light can damage both growth and quality. Therefore gerbera crops always need to be protected. This can be achieved by using a coating, screen or a combination of both. 

Ficus can withstand a lot of light providing the leaf temperature doesn’t rise too high. The company Kwekerij Zwethlande of Honselersdijk, the Netherlands, is therefore using ReduFuse IR for the first time this season.  

This book provides an overview of technical information about shading and light for greenhouses with topics like:

• How can I control plant temperature?
• What is the optimum light level?
• What is diffuse light and how does my plant benefit?
• And much more...

A part of the sun light reflects on greenhouse glass and therefore does not reach the crop. During new greenhouse construction the grower can choose for anti-reflective glass to reduce the reflection and to improve the light transmission.

Even when prices are poor few companies cut back on cleaning the inside and outside of the greenhouse. This indicates that in practice the importance of good light transmission has sunk in.

Amaryllis grow longer under a coating, resulting in larger bulbs and sturdier stems. Most growers (70-80%) now use coatings.

Both pests and their natural enemies respond to the colour and intensity of light. This means that coatings can affect the biological balance in greenhouses.

In greenhouse cultivation, we normally measure the greenhouse temperature. However, the temperatures of the plant and fruit are also very important in achieving optimum production and quality.

Crop development can be steered by using blue light. Insights into the possibilities are continuously growing as a result of joint research.

Sweetpoint peppers are very sensitive to blossom end rot and sunburn spots. Since John Cappalonga of Gee Vee Enterprises started using ReduFuse these problems are under control.

When it becomes very warm roses quickly tend to remain too short. Nice2Get! now has three seasons of experience with ReduFlex Blue. “We clearly see more stem elongation,” says owner Robert Koot.

The more light, the better the yield. But at a certain moment the leaves at the top of the crop have reached their maximum capacity. Therefore it is better to distribute the available light throughout crop. That can be seen in the photo response curve.

Mardenkro maintains close contacts with consultants who advise international greenhouses. Dutch horticultural technology is very popular all over the world but only with the proper know-how it is possible to achieve the maximum results.

Mardenkro maintains close contacts with consultants who advise international greenhouses. Dutch horticultural technology is very popular all over the world but only with the proper know-how it is possible to achieve the maximum results.

After several years of trial and error, horticultural company Young Sun, of Taiwan, has found a good solution for using ReduSol to protect its potted and bedding plants. The coating is applied to the sidewalls as well as the greenhouse roof. 

Mardenkro maintains close contact with scientific researchers and is a member of the Club 100: a group of prominent horticultural suppliers that helps finance and steer research at Wageningen Greenhouse Horticulture. This way Mardenkro is at the forefront of horticultural innovations. 

The plant is continuously seeking a balance between transpiration (loss of moisture) and photosynthesis. The functioning of the stomata plays an important role in this. Moderate climate conditions are best for achieving this. 

Plants show a delayed response to changes in light intensity. Actually they are always a few steps behind the reality and that reduces production. Diffuse light results in fewer changes and therefore to higher production. 

Since Apollo Farm in Don Duong, Vietnam, started using ReduSol flower quality is better, screens are used less and working conditions have clearly improved. 

For every type of crop it is important to create an optimal climate year-round to constantly achieve the maximum yield and quality. A coating on the greenhouse roof can be a good tool for this. However, there is a large range of coatings available and these can also be applied in different thicknesses. So it’s important to know what suits your crop, greenhouse and location.

CAM plants are a group of plants that only assimilate at night and grow slowly. The cultivation of these plants requires special treatment.

AntiReflect reduces the difference in refractive index between air and glass; that is why the greenhouse receives more sunlight.

Nowadays, liquid greenhouse coatings are replacing chalk applications more than ever. These coatings are easy to apply, easy to remove and provide uniform shading. Coating with ReduSol is a good choice for people who have little or no experience with liquid coatings.

More and more growers consider applying a coating on the greenhouse roof. They are able to choose from a large number of ReduSystems products. Various issues would then have to be taken into consideration. ReduWizard will make the choice easier.

Plant temperature can differ from the greenhouse air temperature by several degrees. This is why controlling climate based on plant temperature is a good idea.

Selecting the right coating and dosage is important to get the best result. The choice depends on, among other things, your location. The ReduWizard makes it easy for you. Within seconds, you have an insight into the most suitable product, free of charge. It also provides advice for the best dosage and timing for applying and removing the coating.

Low-growing ornamental crops such as potted plants and gerbera perform better under diffused light. The micro-climate around the plants is more even, and the light penetrates better into the crop.

Occasional light stress makes ornamental plants stronger. But generally speaking, plants prefer uniformity.

All fruit-bearing vegetable crops benefit from diffuse light. The total photosynthesis increases through better light penetration and reduced heat stress. More about trial results diffuse light.

Most crops in greenhouses need protection against heat and/or light during summer. 
Nowadays, liquid greenhouse coatings are replacing chalk applications more than ever. These coatings are easy to apply, easy to remove and provide uniform shading. Coating with ReduSol is a good choice for people who have little or no experience with liquid coatings.

Steering the crop towards vegetative or generative growth requires constant attention.Crop consultant Wim van Wingerden explains the possibilities.

Growers ask many questions about light loss in relation to applying a coating. Through smart use of ReduSystems products it is possible ‘to shade with the light’. Here are a few tips to discuss with your customers.

The height of flowering potted- and bedding plants can be controlled by targeted use of climate and light. Read more about compact pot plants.

The ReduFuse and ReduFuse IR coatings not only ensure that vegetable crops yield more, they also lead to a considerable improvement in quality: Less blossom end rot in cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers, no anthocyanin formation in yellow peppers and more productive high wire cucumbers. Read more ->

The ReduFuse and ReduFuse IR coatings not only ensure that vegetable crops yield more, they also lead to a considerable improvement in quality: Less blossom end rot in cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers, no anthocyanin formation in yellow peppers and more productive high wire cucumbers. Read more ->

A coating on the roof has consequences for the water management. Jos Beerens of Grodan explains what the grower needs to bear in mind.

Read more about the irrigation regime under coatings

Bumblebees don't like extreme temperatures. Therefore, if the roof is coated they often function better and that improves their effectiveness.

Read more about bumblebees under coatings

Condensation on the greenhouse roof is the result of air dehumidification. In plastic greenhouses steps need to be taken to prevent the condensation from causing problems.
Do you want to limit light loss?

The colour of light affects the efficiency of photosynthesis but also growth and development. It is becoming more and more possible to work with these facts.

How does the colour of light influence growth?

Radiation is an important factor for good climate control. In addition, the daily light integral is important for the crop.

Read more about daily light integral

Tomato grower Paul van Paassen is the first in the Netherlands to use the coating AntiCondens for glass. “It clearly leads to more light inside,” he says.
Read more about improving light transmission

The first growers to use the new AntiReflect coating are seeing higher production as more light is entering their greenhouses. AntiReflect is being launched commercially this year.

Read more about the benefits of AntiReflect

An increasing number of ornamental crop growers regularly measure the amount of light in the greenhouse. But just as important as the light level at any given time is the total light sum or daily light integral (DLI) received by the crop.

Read more about daily light integral

Tomato plants utilise available light in the autumn less efficiently for production than in the spring. Why is this and can it be changed?

Read more about production differences in spring and autumn

This summer, some growers have started removing their greenhouse roof coatings earlier than usual because of the mediocre summer weather. ReduClean is the perfect product for the job. When it comes to removing ReduFuse (IR), there is a special version of ReduClean available: ReduClean for ReduFuse. Dennis van Veldhoven, co-owner of machinery contractors Van Veldhoven in De Lier in The Netherlands, explains how to get the best result.

In advance of practical trials, Wageningen UR has calculated the extent to which production increases under AntiReflect. The outcomes are very much in line with early practical results.

Read more about model calculations.

Vegetable and ornamental crops can produce much more than they do at present if the climate conditions are always ideal. 

Read more about optimizing production

Light is the limiting factor in production in winter. Every step taken to improve light ingress is therefore welcome.  > Read more about increasing light ingress in winter

The paint on heating pipes in greenhouses is constantly exposed to humidity, residues and mechanical loads. As a result of this wear and tear, the pipes become less reflective and heat transfer suffers. The best time to maintain your pipes is in the period between crops. An advantage of a water-based pipe coating like PipePaint is that it doesn’t give off harmful vapors that could damage the crop. But there are other advantages as well.

Technology is not the only way to save energy.  Savings can also be made by making better use of the properties of the plant.  > Read more about saving energy

ReduSystems coatings produce the best result when you use the right product for the plant. The ReduWizard makes it easier to choose the one that’s right for you. In some cases, the Horticultural Product Specialist can also help. > Read more about the Horticultural Product Specialist

Due to the great success of the first book, Mardenkro publishes a second book called “ReduSystems: The bright side of growing”. You can pick up a free copy at stand number 3C39 of Mardenkro at the IPM-fair or download the book via www.thebrightsideofgrowing.com.

Mardenkro is firmly committed to ensure that its products have a sound scientific basis and therefore maintains close contact with Wageningen University & Research, the perfect partner for conducting independent measurements and pursuing new avenues. Read more...

Stress through too much light or heat is detrimental to production. ReduSol has taken light control in the greenhouse to a higher level worldwide.

Read more about light control

AntiReflect improves quantity of light received in existing greenhouses. The product performs at the same level for at least one year, but we have increasing proof of much longer performance.
Read more on the economic life of AntiReflect

Van Adrichem Kwekerijen in Steenbergen achieved a 5% increase in production last year using AntiReflect, compared to an untreated glasshouse section. “We were pleasantly surprised.”

Read more about the first experience with AntiReflect

All ReduSystems coatings are fully compatible and can therefore be applied on top of each other to achieve the desired result. This also applies to the new solution AntiReflect.

Read more about combining coatings.

For AntiReflect to work properly, the thickness of the coating must be within a certain bandwidth. Only certified contractors are able to achieve this.

Read more about applying AntiReflect with precision

Reflecting too much or too little light impacts on production in any crop. With ReduSol it is easy to adjust the percentage of light and heat that is reflected. But heat stress is often a bigger problem than too much light. In that case, ReduHeat is the answer.

Read more about the difference between ReduSol and ReduHeat

UV radiation can have both positive and negative effects on the crop. A high dose is not desirable however, it inhibits photosynthesis and results in visible damage. In addition, UV radiation breaks down plastics. ReduFlex UV is designed to protect against excessive doses of UV light.

Read more about UV light

Coatings can reduce the energy consumption per kilo of product and in winter they can also reduce the absolute energy consumption.

Read more about coatings and energy consumption

The new AntiReflect coating is gaining popularity in the Netherlands. All the more reason to extend the introduction to North-West Europe. Mardenkro guarantees light gain and supports all new users.

Read more about AntiReflect in North-West Europe

Every percent can be converted into higher production. Mardenkro offers a package of solutions designed to improve the incidence of light into a greenhouse by as much as ten percent.

Read more about improving light incidence...

The amount of light in the greenhouse is very important for the crop's growth process. Mardenkro is offering the Journey of Light at the GreenTech trade fair for the purpose of giving market gardeners advice on how to create the perfect greenhouse climate.

Read more about the Journey of light at Greentech 2018

On some days, sunshine is interspersed with clouds all the time. ‘Then you have to constantly make the choice of closing the shading or not. With ReduFuse, the nursery is much calmer.’

Read more on Wibo Valstar’s experience with ReduFuse

Durability tests carried out in actual practice show that AntiReflect lasts at least 2 years. Throughout that time, the extra light in the greenhouse results in considerably greater yields. This is the conclusion of the calculations made by Wageningen University & Research.

Read more here about the gains produced with AntiReflect.

Mardenkro is continuously taking steps towards achieving ever more sustainable methods of production and application. At the moment the company is running a trial using 100% recycled buckets. The initial experiences have been positive.

Read more about environmentally friendly packaging

After a few years of experience with ReduFuse, tomato grower Prima Fruit switched to ReduFuse IR. This coating combines optimal light distribution with heat shielding in Slovakia’s harsh land climate.

Read more on their experience with ReduFuse IR and the difference with ReduFuse

Light levels fall a little further every day in August. The decision as to when to remove a coating is partly rational and partly depends on the weather and your green fingers.

Read more

An increasing number of rose growers are reaping the benefits of ReduFlex Blue. Filtering out blue light improves stem length.

Find out how you can control the plant's shape

The temperature of the crop sometimes differs widely from the greenhouse air temperature. For this reason, it is a good idea to continuously measure the crop temperature.

Read more about using plant temperature to control conditions

The Cananvalle rose farm in Ecuador uses ReduFlex Blue against blackening of the petals. This saves a lot of labour. Furthermore, they harvest longer stems and the greenhouse climate is more pleasant to work in.

Find out more about the UV resistance properties of ReduFlex Blue