Key Takeaways
- Oasis Grower Solutions launches OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray and OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray, two automation-ready engineered foam substrates for hydroponic growers.
- The substrates address specific crop and environmental needs, offering optimized water-to-air ratios, uniform germination, and superior root growth.
- AeroMax™ PlugTray is ideal for lower water-demand conditions, while AeroSelect™ PlugTray targets higher water-demand systems and crops, including spinach.
- Both substrates are food-safe, pest- and pathogen-free, and designed for sustainable cultivation practices.
- Developed with input from hydroponic growers, the substrates are part of the OASIS® AeroSubstrates family, known for innovation in the controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) market.
Meeting CEA Challenges with Precision Substrates
Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) growers face evolving challenges, from climate change and technological shifts to increasing consumer demand for year-round, sustainable production. Oasis Grower Solutions, a pioneer in propagation media, introduces two new precision substrates to address these needs:
- OASIS® AeroMax™ PlugTray: Optimized for mild to moderate climates and systems with lower water demands.
- OASIS® AeroSelect™ PlugTray: Designed for warmer climates and high water-demand crops and conditions, including spinach.
Features and Benefits
Both substrates integrate seamlessly into automated or manual operations, offering hydroponic growers the following advantages:
- Optimized Root Zone: Provides ideal water-to-air ratios for uniform germination and unrestricted root penetration.
- Improved Transplant Success: Prevents root tangling during propagation and reduces root damage during transplant, leading to superior post-transplant performance.
- Food-Safe Design: Free of pests and pathogens, ensuring a clean and safe cultivation environment.
- Labor-Saving Convenience: Preloaded plug trays simplify propagation, reducing manual handling and operational costs.
Dr. Vijay Rapaka, Director of Global Grower Operations and Research at Oasis Grower Solutions, emphasized the substrates’ contribution to sustainable agriculture: “With OASIS® AeroSubstrates, we brought precision growing into the root zone and made these next-generation substrates functional elements in the cultivation process. With new OASIS® AeroMax™ and AeroSelect™ PlugTrays, growers of all sizes can now experience the benefits of these precision substrates and grow more profitably and sustainably.”
Sustainability and Innovation
The substrates feature a low carbon footprint, validated by Oasis Grower Solutions’ Cradle-to-Grave Carbon Footprint Assessment. They are engineered to improve sustainability by minimizing root damage, enhancing crop health, and optimizing resource use.
Dr. Rapaka highlighted the cleanliness of the substrates: “These next-generation substrates for precision hydroponics deliver a physically cleaner cultivation experience, from seeding through cultivation and harvest.”
Expanding Precision Growing Options
The new additions join Oasis Grower Solutions’ AeroSubstrates family, offering a versatile range of products to meet diverse hydroponic and floriculture propagation needs. These innovations further cement the company’s role as a leader in solving real-world challenges for growers.
OASIS® Grower Solutions Latest News
Oasis Grower Solutions Welcomes Erin Yafuso, Ph.D., as Plant Scientist (2024/10/03)
Oasis Grower Solutions has appointed Erin Yafuso, Ph.D., as Plant Scientist to drive innovation in sustainable controlled environment agriculture. Yafuso will report to Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D., Director of Global Grower Operations & Research at Smithers-Oasis, and will focus on developing specialty substrates for propagation, soilless cultivation, and hydroponic production. She will also create sustainable and biobased solutions to improve crop growth and quality under controlled environmental conditions. Dr. Yafuso has extensive experience in horticultural sciences and completed a three-year postdoctoral research position with the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Releases Carbon Footprint Assessment for OASIS® AeroMax™ Substrate (2024/03/06)
Oasis Grower Solutions has released a carbon footprint assessment for its OASIS® AeroMax™ engineered foam substrate, which has set a new benchmark in the industry for environmentally friendly growing solutions. The study assessed the Cradle-to-Grave carbon footprint of the product, revealing that it produces 6.40 grams of CO2 equivalent emissions per Functional Unit (FU), significantly lower than traditional peat-based products. Dr. Vijay Rapaka, Director of Global Grower Operations and Research at Oasis Grower Solutions, emphasized the importance of sustainability and commitment to further reducing the carbon footprint of their products. The substantial difference in emissions underscores the importance of transitioning to more sustainable substrates in the agricultural industry, particularly as it moves towards precision hydroponics and controlled-environment agriculture.
OASIS® Grower Solutions Announces New Operations Director (2023/01/25)
Dr. Vijay Rapaka has been appointed Director of Global Grower Operations & Research at OASIS® Grower Solutions, a division of Smithers-Oasis. Dr. Rapaka has over 15 years of experience in research and development. He will oversee global operations and provide valuable insights into the business. OASIS® has been providing growers with quality propagation media for over 53 years.
Image provided by OASIS® Grower Solutions
