CO2 GRO Inc (TSX-V:GROW, OTCQB:BLONF) has announced a technology trial for a CO2 Delivery Solutions system at an Ecuador-based rose greenhouse.
The company said the owner wished it and the facility details to be unnamed.
The trial will be conducted for up to one year, assessing CO2 Delivery Solutions' economic benefits, including faster plant growth, greater rosebud production, improved plant health and suppression of micro-pathogens particularly powdery mildew, CO2 GRO said.
READ: CO2 GRO announces second rose greenhouse CO2 Delivery Solutions Technology Trial in Colombia
"With two rose trials underway in Colombia, we attracted further interest from a rose grower in neighboring Ecuador to assess our technology's benefits,” the company’s vice president for sales and strategic alliances Aaron Archibald said in a statement. “Unsolicited inquiries from growers have been increasing as we continue to market CO2 Delivery Solutions. We look forward to successfully executing these rose trials in the region over the coming year and graduating them to Commercial Technology Purchases.”
According to studies conducted on atmospheric CO2 enrichment in rose greenhouses, the company said yields increased 16% to 60% over those grown in a non-enriched atmosphere.
CO2 GRO noted that Ecuador is the world's third-largest flower exporter at 9% of the global market after the Netherlands and Colombia, according to Eagle-link Flowers. Over 98% of Ecuador's flower production is exported.
Ecuadorian flowers grown for export markets are considered amongst the best in the world for their aroma, texture, quality and unmatched beauty. Ecuador growers are noted for the development and continuous use of sustainable practices aimed at reducing the use of chemicals and proper crop management, which are in line with ecological agriculture practices, the company added.
CO2 GRO said atmospheric CO2 enrichment (gassing) to enhance rose production is not widely used in Ecuador due to year-round heat venting and relatively low-tech greenhouses and other protected grow facilities.
CO2 GRO's CO2 Delivery Solutions is a viable alternative for Ecuadorian rose growers to enrich their plants with CO2 despite low-tech facilities and venting, to achieve increased yields, plant quality, revenue and profits, the company said.
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