Definitive Solution to Root Stress in French Greenhouses

In the heart of France's protected tomato-growing regions—from the Rhône Valley to the Mediterranean basin—growers deal daily with a silent enemy: root stress. Let's talk about our solution: the SPACER.

Conditions as diverse as summer heat, high humidity, and peak solar radiation can increase the thermal conductivity of old metal gutters, raising the substrate temperature above 28°C. This environment favors the proliferation of pathogens such as Phytophthora capsici, Pythium aphanidermatum, and Fusarium oxysporum, responsible for primary and secondary rots that drain every last ounce of energy from the plant.

1. Problem Dynamics
Metallic Thermal Transfer: The galvanized steel of conventional gutters can reach peak temperatures of up to 50°C at the peak of the day, transmitting heat to the substrate and exceeding the physiological threshold of the roots.

Anoxious Zones and Pathogen Accumulation: Irregular drainage—with waterlogged areas alternating with nearly dry patches—creates anoxic microhabitats where fungi thrive, degrading cell walls and reducing water and nutrient uptake.

Stomatal Closure and Photosynthetic Reduction: Root stress triggers hormonal signals (abscisic acid) that close stomata, limiting CO₂ uptake and decreasing the photosynthetic rate by up to 40%.

2. Our Technological Solution: Metal Gutters with Spacers
Hydroponic Systems presents a patented system that integrates:

3 mm coated steel gutter with low surface thermal conductivity (λ < 50 W/m K) and class C4 anti-corrosion treatment.

High-density polypropylene (HDPP) spacer with an elastic modulus of E = 1500 MPa, designed to support more than 65 kg per support point without deformation.

Flat profile that maintains a 2.5 cm air space between the base of the bag and the gutter, acting as insulation and a ventilation chamber.

Mechanisms of action:
Thermal sweep: The air chamber prevents direct heat transfer, keeping root temperatures below 24°C even during outdoor peaks of 40°C.

Constant Oxygenation: Airflow induced by pressure differential and natural convection renews oxygen in the root zone, raising dissolved O₂ levels in the substrate above 12 mg/L.

Uniform Drainage: The Spacer's smooth design evenly channels excess nutrient solution into the recirculation system, reducing volumetric water content (θ) variability to ±2%.

3. Proven Benefits
>90% reduction in root diseases, validated in collaborative field trials with INRAE.

Yield increase of up to 60 kg/m² in industrial tomato plantations, with uniformly sized fruit (+15% average diameter) and high Brix content (+0.5°Brix).

Water and nutrient savings: Reuse of 80% of the drainage system after a UV and hydrogen peroxide disinfection protocol, reducing fertilizer input by 25%.

4. Versatility and Adaptability
This system is not limited to tomatoes: its modular configuration makes it ideal for strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, and melons. The structure can be integrated into 9.6 x 3 m tunnels or Gothic macrotunnels up to 5 m high, always ensuring an optimal space-to-production ratio.

Do you want to experience this revolution in your greenhouse of more than 2 hectares?
Request a personalized quote and take your protected cultivation to the next level. Write to us at [email protected] and our technical team will advise you.