Strawberries and humidity
The ideal growing conditions of strawberries vary depending on the stage they are in. For the growing stage, a relative humidity between 60-75% is usually recommended. After the strawberries have been harvested, they are actually best contained at a very high relative humidity level at 90-95% (Ktenioudaki). This is to prevent the berries from losing water, freshness, and taste.
Problems with lack of humidity control
Another problem with insufficient humidity is that it can inhibit the calcium uptake of the strawberry plants. The lack of calcium can lead to “tipburn” which will cause the strawberries to turn brown and unattractive. On the other hand, too high humidity can cause issues such as mold and fungal diseases. In addition, a too high humidity level can have a negative effect on the pollination, as the pollen may become sticky and less effective. This makes humidity control essential for producing high quality strawberries.
Strawberry cultivation and water
Strawberries need consistent moisture to stay healthy, but excessive water can cause diseases and rotting. This makes it important to consider which type of humidification system to use, as most pneumatic systems will leave tiny droplets or condense on the leaves and berries. This is an unnatural exposure of water for the plants, as they would normally have time to dry in nature in between weather changes. This is why “Dry Fog” humidification control is ideal for growing strawberries. Dry fog has a droplet size around 7.5 µm, which means that the droplets are so tiny that they don’t burst on any surfaces.
AKIMist® Dry Fog humidification for strawberry cultivation
AKIMist® is a Japanese invention which can produce droplets so tiny as around 7.5 µm due to its unique impingement nozzle. This way, the humidification level can easily be controlled without causing droplets or condense on the strawberry plants. Due to an automatic sensor system, the humidity level can easily be set for the level fitting for the current growing stage of the strawberry plants. In addition, AKIMist is so compact (5 inch) that it can easily fit in a tight growing room, or a room with a low ceiling construction.
AKIMist® is non-wetting due to its tiny droplet size around 7.5 µm.
AKIMist® uses 80% less energy than conventional humidification systems.
No condensation on plants due to the tiny droplet size when located at least 3 meter from the strawberries.
AKIMist® “E” Dry Fog Humidifier
Our AKIMist®“E” spreads a Dry Fog that humidifies indoor environments without wetting due to its tiny droplet size around 7.5 µm
How does AKIMist work?
The AKIMist® technology is built around an atomizing unit which combines water, compressed air and ultrasonic waves. Two separate orifices spray out atomized droplets which collide in the center. Simultaneously they generate ultrasonic waves to further atomize the droplets and homogenize their size into around 7.5 µm – dry fog.
Customer testimonial
Ohio State University’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Center (CEARC):
After implementing Dry Fog humidification, the researchers began to notice visible differences in the strawberries themselves. During the first year of production, fruit appearance had been inconsistent. “The fruit lacked glossiness and had more of a dull sheen,” Kroggel says. “You expect strawberries to have that shine.” With improved humidity control, the fruit developed a noticeably better appearance. “Once we started growing with humidity enhancement, we saw the berries develop that sheen again.” Humidity management also helps support plant productivity while avoiding additional disease pressure. “Dry Fog allows us to promote plant productivity without promoting foliar disease,” Kroggel explains. “With other systems it can become a tradeoff. You either increase humidity and risk disease, or keep things dry and stress the plants.”
Other benefits of using the AKIMist® Dry Fog Humidifier
Installation and maintenance
AKIMist requires very little maintenance compared to other humidification equipment. In addition, it is very easy to maintain as it is installed within the factory and hanging from the ceiling or wall.
AKIMist is easy to install and can be fitted into any current HVAC design. AKIMist can be installed with a wall or ceiling fitting or
even as a portable option.
AKIMist is very compact. Like the size of a 5 inch smartphone. This makes it easy to fit into tight factory spaces.
demo of AKIMist®
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