Viruses are a major challenge in tomato cultivation. Koos van der Burg opts for DCM's PMV®-01 vaccine and thus manages to keep the Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) out of his greenhouses. "Prevention instead of cure will become increasingly important in the future," he says. "A vaccine like this is an insurance that you definitely need."
Growing tomatoes is in Koos' blood. His father was already a proud grower, and after growing lettuce and endive himself for a while, Koos switched to tomato cultivation. Burg Tomaten has been a specialist in Roma tomatoes for 12 years now and supplies Albert Heijn stores all over the Netherlands through the growers' cooperative Oxin Growers. Part of the production is destined for export to the Czech Republic.
Sustainable family business
Burg Tomaten has 3.5 hectares of greenhouses and is strongly committed to sustainability. "We use a geothermal heat source and have also invested in a combined heat and power system (CHP) and in solar panels," says Koos. "We have been participating in Albert Heijn's sustainability label for years, which aims to achieve a better balance between farmer and nature." Koos can also count on the commitment of his two daughters, who both work in the family business.
Efficient vaccine
In the greenhouse, Koos sees blossom-end rot as one of the biggest challenges, especially during periods when the plant experiences considerable stress. "In addition, the Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) is also one of the most important problems," he says. "The virus hangs like a cloud over every tomato grower, because once the infection appears, your tomatoes are unsaleable." The decision to use DCM's PMV®-01 vaccine was quickly made. "We have a good relationship of trust with DCM and the vaccine works well. Since we started using it, no virus has appeared in the greenhouse." To increase biosafety, leaf samples are taken from the new plants arriving at the company. If they are virus-free, vaccination is carried out the day after planting. "We apply PMV®-01 by using a mist sprayer, which means that the vaccine is absorbed properly and evenly." It is very effective in preventing other spontaneous PepMV infections. "I can only hope that DCM will soon also bring a vaccine against Tobamo/ToBRFV to the market, because the disease pressure is high there too." Together with international partners from industry and renowned research institutions, DCM is strongly involved in research on ToBRFV.
Prevention rather than cure
According to Koos, biological agents such as DCM's PMV®-01 will play a crucial role in the future of crop protection. "The range of chemical agents is getting smaller and smaller, and society is demanding more sustainable cultivation methods. That is why we want to focus on more biological crop protection, as well as more sustainable substrates as an alternative to rockwool." But vaccination is also becoming more important every year, according to Koos. "It's like an insurance that you will definitely need. Then you have to be wise and invest in it. As a grower, you naturally prefer to work with a company like DCM, where the necessary expertise and follow-up is available."
Click here to find out more about DCM's unique biological control agent. Discover how it works and how to apply it and read more about the results obtained with PMV-01®.
