The new beehive Natupol Excel with its Bee Vision features has been nominated for the Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2017. The ten innovations selected will be presented from 8 to 10 February 2017 in a special exhibition between Halls 20 and 21. This is also where the winner will be announced on 10 February 2017 at 14:30.
More than 70,000 trade visitors from over 130 countries can cast their vote on 8 and 9 February 2017 for the innovation of the year. A panel of experts consisting of representatives from all levels of the fresh produce trade has selected the following ten nominees from over 60 submissions.
Bee Vision
Intensive research into the sight of bumblebees has shown that their vision is different to that of humans. This simple discovery has led to this innovation. The ‘bee vision’ and additional innovations have shown a positive impact on greenhouse pollination; especially in crops grown under artificial light.
Natupol Excel
Natupol Excel is specifically developed for crops with a high number of blossoming flowers per m² per week (above 35), such as cherry or snack tomatoes and (straw)berries. Natupol Excel can also be applied in illuminated greenhouses. It has optimized visibility through the strategically placed reflective cues on the boxes and additional colour cues around the hive entry that conforms to the bumblebees own visual spectrum resulting in improved pollination results. In addition, it has a bigger colony, large ventilation holes equipped with a smart intruders block, and 19% more sugar water for increased and longer pollination.
Through the eyes of a bumblebee
Research has shown that bumblebees have orientation problems when daylight is reduced by factors such as the use of artificial light during the darkest months of the year or extra layers of poly covers. The ‘bee vision’ features on the Natupol Excel hives have been designed to help bumblebees navigate in these and other unfavourable conditions.
‘Introducing colours and changes in the print in special coatings on the Natupol nest boxes, now helps bumblebees to find their way back to their hives faster,’ explains Koppert’s Pollination Product Manager, Remco Huvermann. ‘The innovation means that bumblebees use less energy for finding the hive in the crop and have more energy to spend on effective pollination. The cues obviously play an even more important role when light conditions are not optimal.’
Meet us at Fruit Logistica
Besides bumblebees, Koppert has a complete range of products available to help growers produce more sustainably; biological control products to combat pests and diseases, biostimulants (microbial products and natural substances) that support and strengthen the plant, and monitoring products.
The developments on the fruit and vegetable shelves are taking place particularly quickly. These shelves allow retailers to distinguish themselves with a fresh and tasty product, produced with minimal or no environmental impact, and guaranteed food safe.
Hall 1.2 – stand D-08
Koppert would be delighted to welcome you to our stand at Fruit Logistica, where we would be more than happy to explain what we could do for you.
Partner with Nature
We must reduce the use of chemical crop protection agents, reduce the use of fertilizers, and achieve higher yields of better quality products if we are going to be able to continue to feed the world. Koppert intends to make a contribution to this, in the broad sense, together with our customers and other parties in the chain. Koppert has expressed this "drive" in their mission: Koppert contributes to better health of people and the planet. In partnership with nature, we make agriculture healthier, safer, and more productive. This is summarized in the motto: Partners with Nature.'