Roots Sustainable Agricultural Technologies (Roots) is eyeing faster commercialisation of its ag-tech solutions and new innovations following the completion of its new research and development hub.
The facility, located in the Hasharon area of Israel, will complement local and international pilots in testing the viability of Roots’ existing solutions, including its patented Root Zone Temperature Optimisation (RZTO) and Irrigation by Condensation (IBC) technologies.
RZTO utilises ground source heat exchange to heat or cool crop roots, stabilising the root temperature and reducing the impact of external weather conditions. The process is aimed at shortening growth cycles, while increasing yields and profits.
The IBC off-grid system utilises humidity in the air and energy sourced from the sun or wind to irrigate crops and operates without access to electricity or a normal water supply.
“The hub will allow us to monitor and measure the physiological variables of crops using our RZTO and IBC technology, including ripening, yield, size and growth rates to help us suggest the right solutions for different crop farmers in different parts of the world,” said Roots CEO, Dr Sharon Devir.
“Roots will also conduct proof of concept pilots at our research hub, enabling us to develop additional products and take them to market quicker than in the past.”
In addition to the new hub, Devir also revealed Ramat Negev Research and Development Centre in Southern Israel has chosen the RZTO system for use in their facility to study the effect of cooling roots zone on yield and physiological parameters.
“We are not alone in being confident that our RZTO system is the technology to provide systemic results that help optimise crop yields under different conditions,” Devir explained. “Our RZTO system sale will provide Ramat Negev with the capability to optimise their testing of new crop possibilities.”
