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Incotec: optimizing tomato seed germination

10/01/2020

François-Xavier Branthôme
Netherlands,
European Union
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Xray neXt and Promotor Premium for tomato

At the end of September seed enhancement company Incotec launched a new, innovative technology for the improvement of tomato seed: the X-ray neXt tomato. The introduction took place at the Seed meets Technology trade fair in Zwaagdijk (Netherlands). By applying deep learning, Incotec has succeeded in further improving the existing innovative method for increasing the germination potential of a batch of tomato seeds. 

 Tomato seeds
Incotec introduced the first X-ray technology in 2007. The best seeds can be recognized and selected through digital analysis of the seed embryo. With the enormous amount of data that Incotec has built up over the past twelve years, deep learning technologies – a form of artificial intelligence – can now also be applied.

Bruno Hoeltgebaum, Sales Manager: “Our goal is to select the best seeds from a batch in order to get a higher yield for growers. For our customers, the seed breeders, it means an even more effective result. Because we know exactly which seeds will perform well and which will not, no seeds are unnecessarily rejected, while there is still certainty about a maximum yield. With the X-ray technology, germination potential of tomato seed is even further boosted ".

More recently, Incotec launched its advanced tomato seed priming, that helps take the guesswork out of raising tomato plants. Incotec’s new Promotor Premium priming for all tomato cultivars delivers faster and more uniform germination, in order to synchronise the development of the seedlings from a seed lot. Benefits of the device consist in a rapid emergence to accelerate the process of tomato plant production; and uniform emergence to help align subsequent stages of plant development and make the process of growing tomato plants faster and easier to plan.

 
Incotec Promotor Premium tomato

For Bruno Hoeltgebaum, “Promotor Premium is designed to get the best out of every seed lot. Our extended data range clearly shows that seed primed with Promotor Premium germinates and emerges faster and more uniformly than with other primings. A quick and more uniform development can help take the guesswork out of planning and make the entire process of growing tomato plants more efficient.”

 Seedlings from primed tomato seeds
Another benefit of Promotor Premium is a minimal risk of blind plants developing. This priming can also be combined with other Incotec technologies such as X-ray upgrading, pelleting and film coating.

Source : hortidaily.com