expert

Introduction
Grotop Master
Grotop Expert
Grodan Vital

grotop master logo

Go to:
Interview
Product information
Product specifications
Rapid crop development and continued growing power

Grodan is introducing a greatly improved version of the popular Grotop Expert slab as one of the company’s new generation substrate solutions. The ‘Next Generation’ slabs are manufactured using new and revolutionary production technology, further reinforcing the advantages of the Grotop Expert for growers.
beeld_interview
Interview

Wim Gubbels, from the Gubbels van Rooy plant nursery, the Netherlands

“The most striking thing about the Grotop Expert is the good resaturation of the slab. I consider it better
than the standard slab. If the slab has been a little on the dry side for a while, it is relatively easy to
raise the WC of the slab to the desired level. I also notice that the Grotop Expert stimulates vegetative
growth. Particularly in such a large, high-roofed new greenhouse, where we grow sweet peppers, you
generally see rather too generative growth. With the Grotop Expert, however, you can steer effectively
towards vegetative growth. The moisture distribution through the slab is excellent. You see this particularly in the uppermost centimetre of the slab, which is well saturated. This also means that the roots are well distributed through the slab. We are very happy with the Grotop Expert.”

 
Product information

The benefits of Grotop Expert

• Super fast root establishment and strong root system
• Wider steering range of WC and EC
• Greater vegetative vigour

The Grotop Expert is already well-known for its unique hydrophilic fibres and special open fibrous structure. The new production technology means the slab can be resaturated better and faster than before (see illustration). The distribution of the water content and the EC is also much more even, not only within slabs but also between slabs (see illustration). This gives rise to an increased control range, more roots in the upper layers of the slab, and additional growing power.

Why choose Grotop Expert?

The new Grotop Expert slab constitutes the solution for growers seeking a substrate with a wide control range, a rapid start to cultivation and maximum growing power throughout the cultivation period.
Product specifications
 
expert_01
 
expert_02
 
expert_03
 
expert_04

 

The benefits of Grotop Expert

Rapid rooting and initial crop
development

The Grotop Expert’s special fibrous structure enables the roots to penetrate the slab quickly and easily, thereby resulting in uniform root development. The sub strate contains a visible-increase in the number of roots – and the roots in the middle and lower regions of the slab are also of improved quality. The superior root development results in a stronger, more vigorous plant with increased resistance to disease. The increased firmness of the slab also contributes
to an optimum crop result.

Increased WC and EC control range

The Grotop Expert offers you an increased WC and EC control range, as a result of which you can readily vary the water content between 50% and 80% (day level). This increased control range enables you to control the growth of the crop in the required direction during every phase of the cultivation. Moreover the water content can also be adjusted more rapidly. Consequently, in the unlikely event
of a larger than recommended decrease in water content, resaturation of the slab to more than 70% is still feasible. This offers you additional assurances, for example in the event of a malfunction of the irrigation system, without detriment to your ability to control the cultivation.

Increased vegetative growing power

The extremely rapid rooting in Grotop Expert assures you of vegetative growth. As there are more roots in the slab and the roots are distributed more evenly throughout the slab the plants are able to absorb water and nutrients with greater ease. This results in additional growing power from the beginning to the end of the cultivation period. Specific indicators for growing power are
stem thickness and flowering height (and in the case of tomatoes, the length of the trusses.

Maximum quantity and quality

Trials carried out by the PPO (the Research Station for Floriculture and Glasshouse Vegetables in
the Netherlands) during the 1990s demonstrate that controlling the water content can increase the yield by 2%. Field trials prove that the adoption of an optimum water strategy using the new Grotop Expert slab can result in an increase in yield by as much as 2% as compared to the standard Expert slab.

Product specifications Grotop Expert

• Single-season slab
• Special open fibrous structure
• Unique hydrophilic fibre readily absorbs water
• WC control range: 50 to 80% (daytime level)
• Extremely uniform WC and EC distribution throughout the slab
• Good resaturation capacity



Go to:
Top
Introduction
Grotop Master
Grotan Vital