Customer case

Duijvestijn Tomaten keeps PepMV under control thanks to DCM's PMV-01 vaccine

About this client

Name

Duijvestijn Tomaten

Sector

Greenhouse horticulture

Location

Pijnacker (Netherlands)

Duijvestijn Tomaten is one of the pioneers in Dutch greenhouse horticulture. Operating across two sites in Pijnacker and covering nearly 25 hectares, the company produces about 17 million kilos of tomatoes per year. Their range consists of five different tomato varieties, which they package in-house and market directly. Sustainability is a top priority for this innovative grower: for over twelve years, they have been using geothermal energy as a sustainable energy source.

Richard Enthoven is Greenhouse Cultivation Manager at Duijvestijn and has extensive experience in tomato cultivation: "Growing tomatoes in the Netherlands is like top-level sport. Every day, you need to make sure that your crops stay in optimal condition, as viruses, fungi and pests are always a threat." One of the biggest ongoing challenges in tomato cultivation is the pepino mosaic virus (PepMV). It can spread rapidly through greenhouse operations and significantly impact both yield and fruit quality. PepMV has plagued the Dutch tomato sector for over twenty years. Enthoven notes: "It is a virus that is always present, so the best strategy is to stay ahead of it."

The certainty of PMV-01 vaccination

To tackle PepMV structurally, Duijvestijn Tomaten has been working with DCM's PMV-01 vaccine for over 13 years. "PMV-01 gives us the certainty we need. What really sets DCM apart is that they don’t just provide a product – they actively think along with us and supports us in adapting to our specific growing conditions to achieve the best possible results. DCM's advisors are real sparring partners for us. Not only when it comes to PepMV, but also when we have questions about crop vitality and variety selection. You just feel that they have knowledge and experience. They look at our specific circumstances, such as lighting, seasonal influences or the type of variety we grow, and adjust their advice accordingly. That makes all the difference."

"

For us, vaccinating against PepMV feels like taking out an insurance policy. Thanks to PMV-01, we know that our crops are protected and that gives us an immense peace of mind

Richard Enthoven

How Duijvestijn Tomaten responds to developments

The first experiences with PMV-01 in tomato cultivation were a learning process. Vaccinating with a natural product means that factors such as light, variety and cultivation strategy all play a role. "It is not a one-size-fits-all solution," says Enthoven. "It makes a difference whether you have high or low light levels in spring, and what type of variety you’re growing. Together with DCM, we have always looked at how to apply the vaccine in the most effective way."

In Duijvestijn's greenhouses, new varieties are being tested in close cooperation with propagators. These trials always include an assessment of how specific tomato cultivars respond to PMV-01. However, Enthoven emphasizes that such trials don’t always tell the full story. " In a test setup, you can observe early signs of virus pressure and the vaccine’s effect, but it’s only when a new variety is introduced into full-scale production that you can truly evaluate the impact. This applies not only to the yield or fruit quality, but also to how the crop, in combination with the vaccine, responds to, for example, lighting and the specific conditions of that season." According to Enthoven, this requires a flexible and learning attitude. "A large part of our work involves responding to new developments and circumstances within cultivation. And every crop is different. That is why it is essential to closely monitor the process with DCM and make adjustments whenever needed."

One of the most important developments in recent years has been the pressure from the destructive ToBRFV (Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus) and the rapid introduction of new varieties that are resistant to it. "In the beginning, there was quite a bit of uncertainty: how would the PMV-01 vaccine behave in combination with these new resistant varieties? We wanted to understand the effects, so we tested everything step by step. It turned out that PMV-01 also works excellently in the new ToBRFV-resistant varieties." Precisely because some varieties are intermediate and therefore not completely ToBRFV-resistant, it is crucial to keep PepMV out. Otherwise, the plant weakens and ToBRFV still has a chance.

DCM, a partner that thinks along with us

Over the years, the use of PMV-01 at Duijvestijn has brought peace of mind and continuity to their cultivation practices: "The vaccine also acts as a kind of insurance for us: knowing that your crop is protected, gives you the freedom to focus on other aspects of the business." Beyond virus control, the vaccine also aligns perfectly with Duijvestijn's sustainable business strategy: "We grow a natural product, so it feels right to use a natural solution as a vaccine. It fits our vision of sustainable tomato cultivation."

The collaboration with DCM also ensures continuous optimization. Enthoven explains: "Every year, you learn something new. The vaccine is very mild, but sometimes the crop takes a bit longer to recover, for example in low-light conditions in early spring. In those cases, we work with DCM to see how we can improve things. The choice of variety or the timing of lighting can also influence how quickly the plant develops after vaccination. There is no standard recipe; you always have to adapt to the specific conditions at that moment. That is exactly why it is so valuable to work with a partner who thinks along with us and responds flexibly to our findings. This interaction really makes the difference."

Recommendation and advice from Duijvestijn Tomaten

Richard Enthoven recommends PMV-01 to all growers who are serious about virus control. "PepMV is always present. You can wait for it to show up, or you can stay ahead of it. For us, it is clear: preventive vaccination is the best strategy." His advice to fellow growers is to apply the vaccine early and carefully. "The earlier you vaccinate, the faster the plant will grow through it. It is important to approach the entire process properly and DCM can really help you with that. Their knowledge and guidance ensure that you will not be faced with any surprises." He also emphasizes that vaccination is just one part of a broader strategy. "Hygiene, variety selection, climate control – it all plays a role. But by keeping PepMV under control with PMV-01 , you create the basis for a vital plant that is also more resistant to other challenges. That's what it's all about in the end: resilient and sustainable cultivation."

PMV®-01

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