Using AI for sustainable and resilient cultivation

Greenhouse horticulture stands on the brink of a technological revolution. While growers work daily to ensure the health of their crops, new innovations offer unprecedented opportunities to prevent diseases, optimize growing conditions, and safeguard plant health. At the heart of this transformation lies Artificial Intelligence (AI). Through smart analysis and predictions, AI not only provides the industry with new insights but also offers practical support for tackling today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.

What AI can mean for horticulture

Traditionally, growers have relied heavily on visual inspections, such as “walking through the greenhouse” to monitor their plants. AI, however, allows for precise monitoring and forecasting of growth and plant health. Applications like machine learning and computer vision enable growers to recognize disease patterns, analyze growth conditions, and even automate corrective actions. This paves the way for a future of data-driven crop management.

Advanced systems, such as the ErfGoed WaterSystem, further amplify AI’s capabilities. Corné Verduijn, Manager of WaterSystems at ErfGoed, explains: “Our WaterSystem collects a wealth of data on critical factors such as water quality, fertilization, and even pump energy consumption. This provides growers with highly valuable insights, not only about cultivation but also regarding potential maintenance needs.”

Cor Bremmer, Operational Director at ErfGoed, adds that the AirFlow System brings an additional dimension: “With this ebb-and-flow floor featuring aeration capabilities, growers have another tool to control the optimal microclimate for their plants.”

Cor Verdouw, Senior Researcher in Supply Chain & Business Informatics at Wageningen University & Research, specializes in the application of new technologies like AI. He elaborates: “With AI, risks can be identified much earlier, scouting becomes more targeted, and preventive actions can even be taken. By combining data with smart algorithms, concrete actions can be planned. For example, raising water levels on the ErfGoedFloor to regulate temperature and humidity or applying crop protection and lighting at specific locations. With the available data, growers can truly optimize greenhouse conditions.”

Data-driven insights: From sensors to smart systems

A critical requirement for AI is an infrastructure capable of processing and integrating various data streams. Sensors collect vast amounts of information on factors such as soil conditions, water management, and the plant’s microclimate. By combining this with external sources like weather data, a comprehensive view of the cultivation environment emerges. This data-driven approach not only helps growers identify problems but also optimize water use, energy consumption, and plant health.

Verdouw emphasizes that integration is essential: “Many systems still operate independently. A fully integrated approach, where data from various sources is combined, is key to making real progress. By integrating systems and consolidating data, AI can provide growers with tailored insights for better decision-making.”

From insight to action

The true power of AI lies not only in analyzing data but in translating insights into concrete actions. For example, sensors can detect changes in soil conditions or the plant’s microclimate, after which AI systems can automatically propose corrective actions. Verdouw explains: “AI systems can support growers in decision-making or even autonomously initiate actions. These systems can assign tasks such as adjusting aeration or irrigation. Additionally, robots can be tasked with targeted spraying of crop protection agents, or drones can release predatory mites at specific locations in the greenhouse.”

Bremmer sees clear benefits: “This not only ensures more efficient operations but also promotes the sustainable use of resources. Greater precision reduces waste, which ultimately leads to cost savings and a smaller ecological footprint—something that will become increasingly important in the future. Moreover, it optimizes plant health, enabling growers to cultivate strong and healthy crops.”

Toward a sustainable future

AI’s role goes beyond optimization. It also enables growers to operate more transparently and be more accountable to customers and regulators. Verduijn notes: “With sensor data from systems like the WaterSystem, growers can demonstrate that their water usage is sustainable and responsible. This can ultimately strengthen trust in the industry.”

Impact on daily operations

While the technology is still evolving, its initial practical applications are already widely in use. According to Verdouw, AI will become increasingly integrated into greenhouse horticulture over the coming years: “What seems novel today will be standard practice in a few years. It will even become possible to monitor and control cultivation processes entirely remotely, which is particularly valuable for international production sites. AI can also help address labor shortages by automating more routine tasks.” He underscores the need for careful management of AI-related risks, such as reliability, misinformation, security, and ownership rights.

The future of plant health lies in a smart, data-driven approach. By harnessing AI, growers can not only optimize their cultivation processes but also contribute to a more sustainable industry. The pace of development is rapid, and companies that embrace this technology will ultimately reap the benefits of better results, lower costs, and more resilient plants.