Bright 5 looks back and looks ahead at first year of existence

About a year ago, Bright 5 was founded. This unique collaboration between growers, businesses, education and government represents five sectors with a strong base in the Southeast Netherlands: blueberries, strawberries, asparagus, mushrooms and arboriculture. Bright 5 looks back on a successful first year of existence and has great plans for the future.

About Bright 5

Bright 5, what is it again? Bright 5 is a project in which five sectors for five years initiate, implement and share crop-related innovation from the entrepreneurs themselves. Centrally located in the region, from Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, Bright 5 brings together over 180 entrepreneurs and creates crossovers within the five sectors in the field of research and innovations in green crop protection, vital soil, big data, vital plants, valorization of waste streams and crop related ingredients. The unique cooperation between growers, companies, education and government brings research and development to a higher level, strengthens the position of the five sectors and brings innovation back to the region.

Lately Bright 5 shared the successes of the first year with the Province and the Brightlands Campus. In 2019, 150 growers and 30 partners have committed to Bright 5. In addition, three inspiring innovation days were organized throughout the year. Great strides were also made in the field of research.

Hennep as a weed killer

Within the arboriculture sector, the search for a natural alternative to chemical herbicides began last year. Several tests later, Bright 5 seems to have found a suitable solution in fiber hemp. By spreading a layer of shredded hemp over the soil, the growth of weeds can be prevented. When the hemp becomes moist, a crust forms that eliminates the need for herbicide. Natural hemp is not only sustainable, but it can also be grown and shredded in its own region.

In 2019, trials were conducted with manually adding the hemp layer between the trees. Now that the results are positive, the next step is to automate the process to make it economically interesting. A farm with avenue trees will be chosen to test the use of a machine to spread the hemp in 2020. Because these farms have a large proportion of green space compared to black soil, it is financially feasible to choose this sustainable way of controlling weeds.

Natural protectors of fruit

Another research project revolves around the yew beetle that poses a threat to blueberries. At the initiative of Bright 5, tests took place last year to control the beetle biologically. In specially constructed field labs on the Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, parasitic nematodes are used against the harmful larvae of the vine weevil. The results show that the nematodes actively seek out the larvae and kill them before the roots of the plant are affected.

Research is also being conducted in the field of strawberry cultivation. To tackle mildew and root rot naturally, Bright 5 is testing the use of amino acids. The goal is to grow a vital plant that is more resilient when it comes to fungi and bacteria. The studies done so far show that it is possible to delay the infestation. Next year, tests will be conducted to see what happens when the concentration of amino acids is adjusted or the administration of the acids takes place according to a different interval.

Bright 5 squared

There are five sectors at the center of Bright 5, but in the past year interested parties from other sectors also reported. For next year this means that three crop groups will be added: rapeseed, rhubarb and sorghum. This makes the name Bright 8 more applicable than Bright 5, but to make it more future-proof, Bright 5 Squared has been chosen, written as Bright 5 ⁽²⁾. This honors the origin of the project, but creates room for expansion with other crops.

New innovation days

Just like last year, Bright 5 ⁽²⁾ will again organize a number of innovation days in 2020. The dates are already known:

• 18 June 2020 Innovation Day Nursery
• 28 August 2020 Innovation Day Asparagus
• 25 September 2020 Innovation Day Strawberry & Blueberry
  

Firms interested in actively participating can contact Compas Agro at info@compas-agro.nl.

Students wanted

In order to carry out the various studies, Bright 5 is still looking for enthusiastic students who want to develop themselves in the agrofood sector. Are you or do you know a student who is looking for a special and interesting internship? Let Compas Agro know (info@compas-agro.nl).