Aware of the challenges they face in terms of pest and weed control, El Chapoteadero, a greenhouse dedicated to tomato production in the state of Puebla, Mexico, has found in the insect control screen Xsect Balance and Groundcover one of the key elements to ensure the success of their operation.
El Chapoteadero began operations in 2008 with the purpose of entering the market for tomato production and exportation. The growth of this greenhouse has been based mainly on its sustainable and innovative approach, both in the design of the greenhouses and in its cultivation methods. They have migrated from soil cultivation to the use of coconut substrate (hydroponics) to meet the increasing demands of the exportation market.
Among the short-term projects, El Chapoteadero is looking to diversify the variety of its crops. Instead of focusing mainly on the production of beefsteak tomatoes, they are now moving into the production of grape and TOV (Tomatoes On The Vine) tomatoes. This strategy is essential to meet changing demands of the consumers and ensure the growth and profitability of the company.
At El Chapoteadero, they faced one of the most significant challenges: the presence of whiteflies, a pest that represents a threat to the tomato crop by negatively affecting its quality and yield. In addition, in the area where the greenhouse is located, the white fly is characterized by its high virosis potential, making the problem even bigger.
Jaime says that they were aware that there was an area where insect control nets could be applied to alleviate this problem. "Crop losses due to viruses and the constant, costly applications were the critical conditions that led us to make the decision to try Svensson's Xsect Balance nets. Despite having a higher price, we were attracted to the promise of being highly effective in the exclusion of pests without sacrificing the greenhouse airflow," Jaime explains.
"First, we decided to test Xsect Balance nets in one of our modules, and the results we obtained were very positive. We observed a decrease in the presence of pests and an increase in airflow inside the greenhouse. These results led us to make the decision to replace all the nets in the remaining modules." says Jaime Roque, El Chapoteadero.
Currently, two greenhouses at El Chapoteadero are being renovated, and they will be fully equipped with Xsect Balance.
"Xsect Balance has a high value for the company's operation, especially because it has supported the reduction of pests in the greenhouses while also reducing the costs of applications and losses due to fruits and plants with viruses. This justifies the investment made in Xsect Balance nets," Jamie concludes.
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Ludvig Svensson
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