News

Researchers investigate solar panels for greenhouses
From ScienceDaily: University researchers are working on a greenhouse solar-panel system that allows electricity to be generated without the crops being affected by over-shading. Depending on the season, solar radiation can be diverted by taking advantage of the annual oscillation in the height of the sun’s trajectory; this is achieved through a lens-based optical system. Without the need for any solar mechanical monitoring, the technology allows the needs imposed by any crop to be met.

In layman’s terms: during the winter (October-February), the light inside the greenhouse barely falls. But in summer the optical system diverts solar radiation towards the photovoltaic cells that make up the module, thus achieving a dual aim: to provide the greenhouse with cooling during the critical period of high temperatures and to increase electricity production through the photovoltaic system.

For more: www.ulmaagricola.com
 

Syngenta enters into license agreement with Dümmen
Syngenta Flowers Inc. has entered into a license agreement with Dümmen to make, use and offer for sale plant liners having two or more unrooted cuttings from different plant species rooted together, such as those contained in Syngenta’s Kwik Kombos mixed liner product line.

Under the agreement, Syngenta and growers authorized by Syngenta, including “root-and-sell” growers and greenhouse growers, may continue to produce and sell Syngenta Flowers’ Kwik Kombos multi-species liners. Syngenta Flowers 2012 seasonal programs and pricing are current and will remain in effect until June 30. The Kwik Kombos product line features 3-in-1 designer blends of Syngenta’s best-performing flowers, including Callie calibrachoa, Lanai verbena and Sanguna petunia. Each Kwik Kombos recipe is designed to provide an attractive and fully-balanced finished container, offering exceptional sell-through at retail, simplicity and convenience for the grower, and superior outdoor performance for the home gardener.

For more: www.syngenta.com
 

USDA unveils new Plant Hardiness Zone Map
The USDA has released a new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the first update since 1990. Offering a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based interactive format, the map is specifically designed to be Internet-friendly, and allows users to find their zone by entering their zip code.

With the additions of Zones 12 and 13, each zone has a 10°F band. Zone boundaries have shifted in several areas in comparison to the 1990 map. Generally, the new map is now one 5°F half-zone warmer throughout most of the United States, and is mostly due to using temperature data from a longer and more recent time period. Some of the changes, however, are a result of a new, more sophisticated method of mapping zones between weather stations. Elevation, nearness to large bodies of water, and position on the terrain are all factors that have been taken into consideration for the first time.

A poster-sized version of the map will not be available for purchase, but anyone may download the map free of charge and print copies as needed.

For more: www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov