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Masterclass Soilless Culture

The global market for production of high quality fresh vegetables and ornamentals is growing rapidly and is asking for sustainable production processes. The use of soilless cultivation systems increases control over the conditions in the plant rootzone, thereby increasing the efficiency for use of water and fertilizers. Cultivation in soilless systems is a complex subject, for which the concept of integrated rootzone management (IRM) applies. The Masterclass Soilless Culture brings you the latest knowledge on fertigation and water management, growing media, rootzone microbiology and root physiology. By attending this Masterclass you will learn the fundamentals of IRM, with practical examples on how to execute and evaluate the factors involved.

Organised by Wageningen Academy
Date

Mon 24 March 2025 until Fri 28 March 2025

Duration 5 days
Venue Bleiswijk
Price EUR 3,095.00
Price description Includes materials, coffee/tea/water, lunches and one dinner.

Target audience

This Masterclass is designed for professionals working in horticultural companies, consultants and technical suppliers with an interest in technical, process or crop related topics. For instance location/crop managers, supervisors, business operators and owners involved in making decisions and managing cultivation systems.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

  • Manage irrigation and fertigation in relation to various types of growing media
  • Make adjustments to nutrient solutions in open and closed irrigation systems and calculate a fertilizer recipe
  • Understand the role and application of drain water disinfection
  • Understand important parameters for water quality and how to deal with them
  • Understand the basics of microbiology in soilless culture

Programme

The course offers an attractive mix of lectures, greenhouse and laboratory visits and practical experiments and assignments. Examples for different horticultural crops are on the agenda.

There is ample time to interact with the experts from Wageningen University \& Research and the other participants. Together you will explore the world of soilless culture and integrated rootzone management.

There will be an online preparation module before the start of the course. Each course day starts at 9.00h and finishes at 17.00h (local time). Besides the lectures and excursions there is time to work on your group casus: the design of a soilless cultivation system for a specific crop.

Certification

Based on your attendance you will receive a certificate at the end of the programme.

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Registration

Join this course now or view the flyer first.

The Masterclass has been a great way for gaining in-depth knowledge on greenhouse growing and fertigation in particular. It was fun to implement it as a team effort.

The Masterclass really lets you think about the situation at your company. It opens your eyes for some problems that are there.

It has enhanced my understanding of nutrient and water quality, so that I can apply these principles’

An excellent week long program to reconnect theory & practice on substrate growing.