“Change starts from zero.” This phrase is increasingly echoed among European growers who want to eliminate or significantly reduce chemical plant protection products in greenhouse production. The “zero pesticide” trend has long dominated in France and, over the past three seasons, has been rapidly gaining momentum in the Netherlands—a country setting the pace for protected horticulture worldwide.
A New Approach: How to Grow Without Chemicals?
As Jos Beerens, Crop Advisor at Grodan, points out, many growers—under pressure from the market and consumer expectations—are striving for a green revolution: the complete elimination of pesticides in greenhouses. However, this raises a crucial question: how can you effectively protect crops when you give up chemicals?
Many growers are turning to biostimulants and biological products. Still, Beerens emphasizes that simply swapping out products is not enough. What’s needed is knowledge, systematic monitoring, and the ability to maintain balance—because only with careful control of all the processes in the greenhouse can you expect success.
Start from Zero – Control and Cleanliness as the Foundation for Success
In practice, the best results come from starting the crop cycle in a clean, residue-free environment—quite literally, “from zero.” This is why the choice of substrate is so important. Stone wool allows you to begin cultivation with a pathogen-free root zone, giving you full control over what reaches the plant and its environment, including nutrients, microorganisms, and biostimulants.
Importantly, such a “clean start” allows for the use of advanced, precise root zone monitoring and accurate dosing of inputs, without the risk of unforeseen reactions that can occur in organic substrates.
The Role of the Microbiome – Feeding More Than Just the Plant
Another key point from Jos Beerens is the importance of the root zone microbiome. If you’re using biological products or biostimulants, you must remember that microorganisms need “food”—they draw from both the nutrient solution and directly from the plant. If you don’t first establish a strong root system, the use of biological crop protection may turn out to be ineffective. That’s why close monitoring of root health—especially early in the crop—and caring for their condition throughout the production cycle is essential.
Photo: A strong root system should be the primary goal during the initial phases of cultivation. An overdeveloped microbiome in the first days of the crop can disrupt root development, making the application of biopreparations in later stages less effective.
Hygiene and Staff Training – The Foundations of Safety
In “from zero” cultivation, you can’t forget about one of the most important pillars: the hygiene protocol. This isn’t just a set of procedures, but a daily practice that truly impacts crop safety. Preventing the spread of pathogens, including viruses, starts with clear rules: from hand washing and disinfection to appropriate clothing and strict separation of clean and dirty zones in the facility.
Regular staff training and supervision are critical. People are the first line of defence against pathogens—they must recognize disease symptoms, report problems to the grower, and respond to irregularities. Regular meetings, clear instructions, and consistently enforcing the rules are all part of an effective hygiene system. In greenhouses with high staff turnover, it’s worth investing not only in initial training but also in regular refresher sessions.
Virus-Resistant Varieties – A New Tool for Growers
The importance of virus-resistant varieties increases with every season. Not only do they help reduce losses, but they’re also a key part of the “zero pesticide” strategy, allowing you to minimize or even eliminate chemical interventions. Still, even the best genetics can’t replace strict hygiene protocols—after all, viruses are usually spread by people, tools, or other mechanical vectors.
Effective greenhouse management, then, is a combination of modern genetics, a clean start, strict procedures, and a well-trained, conscious team.
Biology Over Chemistry – But Use Your Head!
To sum up, switching to “zero pesticide” cultivation isn’t just about replacing chemical products with biological ones. It’s a philosophy that demands conscious management, continuous crop monitoring, and the ability to start production in a clean environment. Only with full control at every stage can you achieve healthy, resilient plants and high-quality, residue-free yields.
Are We Ready to Start “from Zero”?
For many growers, this may be a revolution in their production approach—but these kinds of changes create real market advantages and set new industry standards. Zero chemicals, maximum control, healthy plants—this could be your competitive edge.
