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Plant Empowerment offers the fastest route to sustainable and profitable horticulture worldwide
Peter Geelen and Jan O. Voogt, together with Peter van Weel, were there at the beginning of the work on Het Nieuwe Telen (New Work). This year, a special edition of a magazine* celebrates fifteen years of the concept. Both Peters and Jan laid the foundations for Land Appropriation, the framework that underpins Het Nieuwe Telen. Plant Empowerment is the English term that has gained worldwide recognition for this philosophy.
In 2022 the founders created the Plant Empowerment Academy. Their aim is to support the sustainable development of greenhouse horticulture by promoting an open exchange of knowledge through an objective and independent breeding concept.
On the Plant Empowerment Academy website, the founders discuss how the concept came about. Their story goes back to 2004, and they describe it as the beginning of the “sustainability transition in Dutch horticulture”. That year, the first fully enclosed greenhouse in the Netherlands was built.
“Surprisingly, the plants in this closed greenhouse behaved very differently from what theory and experience in conventional open greenhouses would have us expect,” they recalled. “For example, the rate of crop transpiration, which depends on solar radiation and humidity, did not fit standard evaporation models. Higher greenhouse temperatures sometimes produced better results than lower temperatures, which contradicted prevailing assumptions.”
New insights through the combination of physics and plant physiology
These unexpected observations inspired a new research project on plant behavior in relation to greenhouse climate. Peter van Weel, then working at Wageningen University and Research, and Jane, at Hoogendoorn Growth Management, conducted the research.
“We discovered that some long-standing theories about plant behavior and climate control were partly incorrect, and even contradicted the basic principles of physics and plant physiology. Step by step, together with researcher Peter Geelen, we developed a new growing concept based on physiological and physical laws. 2008.”
© Plant Empowerment AcademyPeter van Weel, Peter Geelen and Jan O. Voogt, founders and authors of the Plant Empowerment cultivation concept, together with illustrator Jan Seelen for visualizations of the first book Plant Empowerment the basic principles, November 2017.
Plant Empowerment Academy
Other key milestones in the development of the concept were 2009, when Het Nieuwe Telen’s innovation program began, 2015, when Peter Geelen, Jan O. Voogt and Peter van Weel published the book ‘De basisprincipes van Het Nieuwe Telen’, and 2016. It starts from the natural behavior of plants and their inherent growth potential.
In 2018, a book in English followed, ‘Plant Empowerment, the basic principles’. The book was later translated into Dutch and Spanish. Today, the Plant Accreditation Academy manages the publication of all the books.
The founders of Plant Empowerment advocate close and open collaboration between all parties involved, including research and training institutes, extensionists and breeders, investors, suppliers, crop advisors, technical specialists, governments and other organizations. They emphasize that this intensive cooperation is essential for success. Plant Appropriation, they say, offers the fastest route to a sustainable and profitable global greenhouse industry. For more details, readers are directed to the Mission page of the Plant Empowerment Academy website.
In order to maintain the independence of the Plant Ownership Academy, the founders have stated that they cannot enter into commercial relations. Plant Empowerment Academy and Plant Empowerment Foundation are different organizations.
The Plant Empowerment Academy is, however, open to welcoming ambassadors who wish to contribute to their shared mission. Companies, institutes, distributors and organizations interested in joining the Academy as Ambassadors are invited to contact the founders through the Ambassadors page.
Plant Empowerment Digital Growth
In recent years there has been a growing interest in data-driven breeding, supported by modern computational tools such as artificial intelligence. According to the creators, the concept of Plant Empowerment is very suitable for this, as it is based on the physiology and physical principles of plants. At the same time, the sector increasingly feels the need for a unified monitoring protocol that can be used in both research and practice.
With the initiative and support of Kas als Energiebron, the authors published an additional guide at the end of 2023 called Plant Empowerment Digitaal Telen. This guide describes a structured method of crop monitoring, including the use of appropriate sensors and plant observations. It also explains the digital tools needed for practical implementation, such as dashboards. This uniform and standardized approach improves collaboration between different parties and facilitates the exchange and comparison of research and practice results. It also allows for a significant acceleration of the learning curve and overall sustainability transition.
*https://www.kasalsenergiebron.nl/content/kasalsenergiebron/docs/HNT/Magazine_15_jaar_HNT.pdf (link to Dutch magazine)
For more information:
Plant Empowerment Academy
(email protected)
www.plantempowerment.academy
The South African Department of Agriculture has announced that the Plant Improvement Act 2018 (Act 11 of 2018) and accompanying regulations came into force on 1 December 2025. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the proclamation of the new Act after Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen approved the regulations. The Act replaces the Plant Improvement Act 1976 (Act 53 of 1976). Both the proclamation and its regulations were published in Official Gazette 53707 of November 21, 2025.
The updated legislation establishes systems for the registration of businesses related to plants and propagating materials for cultivation and sale, as well as the registration of the premises where these businesses operate. It also establishes quality standards for plants and propagating material, determines sales conditions and establishes a national list of plant varieties. The law includes processes for evaluating plant varieties when there is uncertainty about their value for cultivation and use, and strengthens import and export control of plants and propagating material. Certification schemes for plants and propagating material are also part of the framework.
The 2018 Act introduces new provisions that were not included in the 1976 Act. These additions include the registration of businesses related to plants and propagating material, along with new rules for the cultivation of Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) varieties in South Africa. The revised definition now classifies hemp as a low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) plant or plant part containing no more than 2 percent transdelta 9 THC, a change from the previous limit of 0.2 percent. The Act also provides for the publication of a Gazette of the National List of Varieties and specifies the process for hearing claims submitted to the Registry in connection with applications for the National List of Plant Varieties. In addition, the Law establishes an advisory committee that can assist the Registry in technical or administrative matters related to its implementation.
According to the department, the Plant Improvement Act creates a legal framework for the production and sale of high-quality seeds and vegetative propagation material. This framework supports the productivity and long-term sustainability of food production in South Africa.
Source: South African Government News Agency
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During winter clean-ups, greenhouse operators prepare facilities for the next production cycle, with hygiene remaining a critical focus. Effective sanitation during crop transition plays a key role in reducing pathogen pressure and promoting long-term crop health, particularly in operations that manage virus risks such as Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).
Disinfectants commonly included in greenhouse hygiene programs include Intra Multi Des GA, supplied in North America by Houweling Americas. “This product is widely used by vegetable and ornamental growers as part of comprehensive cleaning and routine sanitation strategies, especially where deep penetration is required on complex surfaces,” says the Houweling Americas team.
© Houweling Americas
Getting under the surface
Biofilms and organic debris continue to limit the effectiveness of many disinfectants, harboring microorganisms in cracks, crevices, and porous materials. According to the Multi Des GA technical team, the formulation is designed to address this challenge through penetration rather than surface activity.
“Intra Multi Des GA has five active ingredients that work together to provide strong penetration properties, allowing the product to reach microorganisms hiding in difficult access areas,” the team explained. While not positioned as a dedicated biofilm remover, the formulation is intended to reveal and eliminate pathogens sheltered beneath biofilm layers.
For best results, a two-step sanitation approach is recommended: deep cleaning to remove organic matter and biofilm, followed by disinfection. “Skip the cleaning step increases the risk of completely eliminating pathogens,” the team noted, highlighting the continued opportunity for farmer education around proper hygiene sequencing.
The role of cleaning before disinfection
As part of the Intracare product portfolio, Houweling Americas also supplies Intra Foam Organics, a cleaner designed to remove organic material prior to disinfection. Organic debris can significantly reduce disinfectant performance if not completely removed, especially on high-traffic or porous surfaces. When used as a first step, cleaners like Intra Foam Organics help ensure that disinfectants can come into direct contact with target pathogens.
Performance on porous and uneven surfaces
Concrete floors, block walls and other porous greenhouse materials remain among the most difficult areas to sanitize. According to internal tests, Intra Multi Des GA works reliably on these surfaces, moving into the micro-cracks where pathogens can persist.
“When applied to porous materials such as concrete blocks, the formulation moves significantly across the substrate,” the team explained. “This behavior is different from traditional disinfectants that remain on the surface and do not reach the embedded microorganisms.”
© Houweling Americas
Broad spectrum pathogen control
Growers of all types of crops rely on Intra Multi Des GA to manage a wide range of pathogens, including fungal, bacterial and viral threats. The reported efficacy against ToBRFV has made it an essential component of hygiene protocols in tomato production.
“Intra Multi Des GA has shown excellent efficacy against ToBRFV and has proven effective in eliminating the virus on contact when used appropriately,” the team reported. Beyond viral control, growers also use the product against pathogens such as Fusarium and Pythium in crop and ornamental systems.
Waste behavior and crop turnover
Unlike non-residue disinfectants, Intra Multi Des GA is designed to leave a residual effect on treated surfaces during cleaning, providing extensive protection between crops. This waste is not intended to come into contact with the collected products, but is used to maintain sanitation during downtime.
Operational efficiency is another matter. The product is applied at a low concentration of use, requires a short contact time and usually requires only one application, allowing rapid crop rotations without compromising hygiene standards.
Long-term sanitation results
Growers who consistently incorporate Intra Multi Des GA have reported cumulative improvements in crop rotation hygiene programs over multiple seasons. In one documented case, a Dutch tomato operation managing ToBRFV reported no subsequent infections after integrating the product into the cleaning protocol.
“Starting clean remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of early cycle infection,” the team emphasizes.
Supporting North American producers
Houweling Americas supplies Intra Multi Des GA and other Intracare solutions through established distribution partners and provides technical support to assist with implementation. In addition to hygiene products, the company’s portfolio includes nutrient solutions, growing substrates, LED lighting, water treatment technologies and biostimulants such as Intra Eco Shield, with Intra Boost, a next-generation willow bark-derived biostimulant, scheduled for a North American launch in early 2026.
Based in British Columbia and Ontario, Houweling Americas works closely with growers to develop integrated solution programs that support yield, plant health and resilience. The company is part of Royal Houweling, a Dutch family business founded in 1925 and recently recognized with royal status for its long-term commitment to horticulture and sustainability.
For growers seeking technical guidance on hygiene protocols or product performance, the Houweling Americas team encourages direct engagement for further assistance.
For more information:
Houweling America
1-800-252-5824
houwelingamericas.com
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