Ionisos Ibérica aims to eliminate the waste pollution in horticultural productions
January 21, 2010
"Treatment with ionising radiation is in the exhibition, for a few seconds, of the product you want to sanitize the action of a beam of electrons with the objective of eliminating the microbial load containing." It's a physical method of disinfection that affect the genetic material of the micro-organisms, thus preventing their reproduction. In the plant which has Ionisos Iberian at Tarancón (Cuenca), we have an electron Accelerator capable of treating different types of products and packaging, adjusting to the needs of our customers. "To do so have trays of ionization with dimensions of 100 x 120 cm, and can treat up to 100 kilos of weight tray", tells Olga Melero, head of the Department for business development of Iberian Ionisos.
The technology of electron beam irradiation offers concrete solutions and presents a wide spectrum of applications:
- Sanitation of substrates
- Elimination of weed
- Avoid competencies
- Productivity improvement
- It enables compliance with the applicable legislation
- Ionization of seeds
- Ionization of trays of farming and other agricultural supplies
The ionization is a proven and used worldwide for sterilization and sanitation of a wide variety of products, from medical devices of a single use, to food, culture media and associated products. The products in the update are treated using this technology in different parts of the world are: media (soil, substrates and Sphagnum) farming, water and fertilizer, cultivation trays and pots of plastic.
What guarantees offered to the farmer to is their products with irradiation by electron beam?
It is the most effective and safe method currently applies to all types of substrates, reducing the microbial load even reaching levels of sterility if necessary. Today, for the purchase of a substrate decision-making, is not only expected that this has a performance raised on the farm, but that it also offers added value, i.e., that such substrates come free pathogenic micro-organisms.
Sometimes, the appearance of certain microorganisms in the soil or substrate after the future crop of the same species leads to his disqualification from the production. Substrate in greenhouse crops are affected by microorganisms that produce economically significant losses. Most of the diseases that appear in these crops have been attributed directly or indirectly to fungi. These fungi produce mobile spores (zoospores), which are favoured in an aquatic environment. The fact of using chemicals to eliminate microbial contamination such as for example the methyl bromide, ethylene oxide, highly polluting, cause irreparable damage to the environment and fails to be completely effective, as it is gas can that they do not reach all points of the substrate. There is an alternative to chemical disinfection: the physical treatment with ionizing radiation.
Is the difference between the implementation of the ionization in the horticulture and other fields that also works Ionisos?
It is a 100% safe and effective technology, our areas of business are many, since they are highly vulnerable sectors who want to benefit from its advantages. The main difference lies in the absorbed dose or in the length of time that passes the product exposed to the action of electrons. This dose is a function of the objective that we are looking for. In the case of small doses, 1-10 kg, we managed to suppress outbreaks in tubers and prolong life in fruit and vegetables, favoring control of customs and foreign trade, protection against insect pests, and decontamination of materials.
With how many customers in the horticulture sector does currently Iberian Ionisos in our country to implement this system in their products?
They are currently less than those who would like to, but we have been working more than 14 years and is a common practice in Europe. There are many trucks coming to us at Spain with irradiated substrates. The truth is that here has not had a major impact. This year we are going to focus part of our efforts in strengthening this sector and to inform manufacturers and consumers the advantages of its use, and the different possibilities offered by this technology.
Is it a profitable for any kind of exploitation system?
It's a very competitive and economic process that allows to differentiate themselves from the rest. How to adjust our rates depends on the dose of treatment and the volume to treat.
