GREENHOUSES I SHADE NET I HYDROPONICS I AQUAPONICS
DUTCH COTTON FROM GREENHOUSES? Cotton Production in Greenhouses investigated
C
otton is one of the largest agricultural products in the world. Worldwide, more than 20 million tons are produced annually. Growers use a relatively large amount of water, nutrients, crop protection agents and so-called ‘inhibitors’. The Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture and Flower Bulbs of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is investigating whether cotton cultivation can take place more sustainably in greenhouses, and thus whether it is possible in the long term to produce clothing from Dutch cotton. In a greenhouse, controlled cultivation is possible with less use of raw materials. In addition, water and nutrients can be
collected and reused, for example. That is why seeds of last year (2020) of eight different cotton varieties were sown in a greenhouse at the research location in Bleiswijk. Since then, a Greek variant has grown (Greece is a prominent cotton production country). In addition, some excellent varieties are grown. These ensure high-quality cotton, and it is exactly in that segment that there is still room on the international cotton market. The aim of the trial is to investigate how many kilograms of cotton as possible can be grown per square meter, with the highest possible value. This makes it possible to recoup the additional costs for cultivation in a greenhouse. This production can be optimized in various
ways, for example by allowing the crop to grow higher, through a higher planting density or through more cultivation rounds per year. The research into the cultivation of cotton is financed by the company Dutch Cotton BV. Editor: With increasing uncertainties of weather patterns in South Africa, cotton farming areas that were previously producing high volumes, diminished and areas in which cotton used to be grown many years ago, are now again being investigated. With high initial investment into greenhouses large enough to produce cotton, will this be a viable proposition in South Africa? As we are striving to re-establish a Made (and grown) in South Africa brand in other consumer goods, who knows what the future holds?
Undercover farming I November/December 2021 I Volume 18 No 6 13
