Progress in Motion
Together with leading horticultural businesses, we are testing the next generation of plant propagation
Innovations must prove their worth in the environments in which they will eventually be used, such as under real production conditions within existing cultivation systems and in conjunction with the processes of professional horticultural businesses. Rootixx is currently at this stage.
Our patented, peat-free plant propagation solution is currently being tested in collaboration with leading producers in Europe, North America and Australia. Initially, we only planned to work with a small number of selected trial partners. However, due to the high level of interest from within the industry, we are now supporting around 30 trials and projects. This response confirms that the professional plant propagation sector is open to new concepts.
Development begins with the customer
Every trial begins with an analysis of the conditions at the relevant farm. Which trays are used? How are the plants watered and fertilised? Which processes are automated? What requirements must a propagation solution meet to ensure it can be reliably integrated into the farm’s operations?
“First of all, we need to understand how the customer cultivates their plants, what system they use, and what their requirements are,” explains Dr Sebastian Kipp, Klasmann-Deilmann’s Director of Innovation.
In many cases, we therefore work directly with the trays and technical measures at the trial sites. Rootixx is not tested in isolation from its intended use, but rather compared with the established propagation media used by the respective customer.
The results so far are encouraging. At the same time, the tests provide concrete indications of where the formulation or application needs further adjustment. This is precisely where the value of this validation phase lies.”
Research and development under real-world conditions
Rootixx is being trialled in various crops and cultivation systems. Each trial accumulates information about the conditions under which the concept can best demonstrate its strengths.
It’s not just about visible plant growth. A new propagation system must produce consistently uniform results in the long term in professional operations. It must be possible to water it reliably and fit it into existing cultivation strategies. It must also function effectively in subsequent stages of the process.
“It’s not enough for the plants to grow well,” emphasises Kipp. ‘Ultimately, the automation must also function reliably.’
Consequently, the various specialist departments work very closely together. Findings from customer trials are fed directly back to the research and development teams. There, they are evaluated and verified in further greenhouse trials, and translated into technical measures where necessary. Our colleagues in the markets support businesses on the ground and ensure that experiences from different regions are brought together.
This ongoing exchange is an essential part of our development approach: testing, measuring, adapting and testing again under real-world conditions.
More than just a new propagation medium
Rootixx is not just a replacement for existing materials; it is an innovative, patented technology with a range of applications. The concept establishes a relationship between innovative, patented technology and an automated application.
In the long term, the starting material will be prepared directly at the producer’s premises and dispensed into the farm’s own trays. This enables farms to retain control over the production process and use Rootixx as required. At the same time, transport and logistics can be organised efficiently.
We are currently developing a suitable mixing and dosing unit together with an established automation partner from the horticulture sector. An initial prototype is expected to be ready by the end of the year. “Rootixx is not just a product,” says Kipp. ‘It is a system solution that also includes automation.’
Progress is already visible
Rootixx is still in the pre-launch phase. Many questions have already been answered, while others are currently being addressed in collaboration with our trial partners. The keen interest shown by growers, the international scope of the ongoing trials, and the results to date demonstrate that there is a genuine need for Rootixx. In the coming months, we will gain further insights into plant performance, operational handling and automation.
Until the full market launch, we will therefore continue to move forward together with experienced growers, technical partners, and our international teams. After all, the next generation of plant propagation isn’t developed behind closed doors. It’s developed in the greenhouse.
