HPGen Peroxide UltraPureTM gets East Seaton Farm out of a sticky situation

Clean irrigation lines are a must for every grower in order to ensure uniform irrigation, and protect crops against water-borne pathogens. Hydrogen peroxide is a good way of achieving this, but bulk production, transport and handling of this substance is logistically challenging and hazardous, and impurities in bulk-produced peroxide can build up in irrigation water, substrates, and plants. That’s where HPGen™ comes in. HPNow’s HPGen™ product line is specifically designed for the needs of horticulture growers. This autonomous system generates Peroxide UltraPure™ directly on site, using only water and electricity as inputs, with no need for user intervention or any handling of chemicals.

Powerful water treatment agent
Peroxide UltraPure™ is a highly effective water treatment agent, which does not require any stabilizers, additives, or other impurities. Peroxide UltraPure™ breaks down to pure water and oxygen after use, enriching irrigation water with oxygen, and leaving no unwanted traces behind. Unlike chlorine, it can be used across a wide pH range, causes no dripper damage, and can be safely recirculated and used in organic produce.

Autonomous, integrated solution
With HPGen™, irrigation water treatment can be implemented in a fully autonomous, simple and efficient manner. The HPGen™ system integrates seamlessly with standard irrigation systems and controls, to inject the output Peroxide UltraPure™ into irrigation lines.

Improved crop yield
HPGen™ keeps emitters clean of algae and fungi and prevents the buildup of biofilms – keeping irrigation uniform, and ensuring all plants get the same amount of water and nutrients. This creates optimal conditions for the crop, which result in yield increases and better crop quality. Maintenance and replacement of the irrigation system is reduced.

Increased oxygenation levels, boosts organic matter in the soil
HPGen™ also improves dissolution of organic fertilizers and provides soil micro-organisms with the oxygen they need to thrive, resulting in increased organic matter available to the plant and improved plant nutrition and vigor.

The HPGen™ product line is available in a wide throughput range. It has been tested and proven in commercial greenhouse installation across horticulture crops ranging from watermelon and cucumbers, to berries, tomatoes and peppers; and with both soil and soil-less cultures, as well as hydroponics.

 

Case study: East Seaton Farm
East Seaton Farm is a leading soft fruit grower in East Scotland with more than 100 ha under management. The family business, formed in 1991, supplies the major supermarkets in the UK. They grow their blueberries and strawberries on soilless substrate with drip irrigation lines. Water is sourced locally from bore holes – while easily accessible and sustainable, this also posed a challenge.

The irrigation water, taken out of the bore holes, is drawn into 50 m3 holding tanks, from where it flows into the main irrigation manifold. The grower reported recurring outbreaks of a slimy white substance within the irrigation lines, holding tanks and irrigation system, which was substantially blocking drippers and resulting in non-uniform irrigation. In addition, the grower also reported iron deficiency in the crops, despite the use of iron fertilizers.

East Seaton asked HPNow for help in combating the negative impact this had on irrigation uniformity, system maintenance costs, crop yield and plant health. Analysis performed by HPNow showed high levels of iron within the white substance, which meant the substance was absorbing iron meant for the plants and explains the observed iron deficiency. Further consultation with plant pathogen experts pointed to iron oxidizing bacteria as the cause of the white substance. Iron in the fertilizer feeds bacteria growing in the irrigation lines (white slime in the pictures), clogging drippers and depleting the crop from iron nutrients.

HPNow’s recommendation was to pursue a combination of periodic shock treatments in the main lines combined with continuous dosage in the laterals throughout all irrigation cycles. HPNow distributor Penny UK installed two HPGen™ A2000 Peroxide UltraPure™ systems at the farm to control the white substance in the water, leading to positive results within weeks.

After application of Peroxide UltrapureTM the white substance was removed, the drippers were flowing again and the crop’s iron deficiency was corrected.

Using HPGen™ Peroxide UltraPure™ proved highly effective for Allen Innes, East Seaton Farm Manager, who reported the white substance was nearly eliminated within a few weeks. “HPGen™ has been the ideal solution for us, and we are now looking forward to a clean irrigation system and a healthier crop”, he comments.

About HPNow
HPNow addresses growing global challenges in clean water and sanitation through its range of on-site, autonomous, safe and sustainable hydrogen peroxide generation solutions. Headquartered in Copenhagen, and with representation across Europe, the Americas and Asia, they address their clients’ water treatment needs in market segments ranging from agriculture and aquaculture, to industrial and drinking water treatment. HPNow is a technology and market leader in on-site generation of hydrogen peroxide, and is continuously striving to further advance its technology and products in order to meet growing market needs and rising global demand.

For more info contact us at:  https://www.hpnow.eu/

 

This article was published in the special issue for  ‘Precision Agriculture