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Head office: Hazera Genetics Ltd. 

Berurim M.P. Shikmim 79837, ISRAEL 

Tel: +972 8850 8815 • Fax: +972 8850 2442 

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Agriculture 2011 

The International catalogue for Advanced 

Agricultural Technology 

p-6 

p-10 

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p-30 

p-35 

p-43 

Development of onion harvesting machinery 

I. Sagi , Y. Kashti , F. Geoola , Y. Grinshpon , L. 

Rozenfeld , A. Levi , R. Brikman1, O. Mishli , E. 

Margalit 

Ocean Transport of the Easter Lily (Lilium 

Longiflorum): Defining the harvesting stage and 

treating the plant with gibberellins in order to 

minimize premature aging of leaves 

Shimon Meir , Shoshana Salim , Batina Kochank , 

Tamar Tzedaka , Tamar Lahav and Sonia Philosof- 

Hadas 

Grafting for the use of root systems as biological 

filters to prevent penetration of contaminants into 

vegetable plants under irrigation with marginal 

water 

M. Edelstein and M. Ben-Hur 

Sprouting inhibition of postharvest potatoes by 

using environment friendly mint essential oil 

Dani Eshel , Paula Teper-Bamnolker , Roi Amitay 

and Harry Daniel 

The New Generation of Drippers 

Sagi Gidi, Metzerplas 

Developing a high spatial and temporal resolution 

database for meteorological-based agronomical 

models 

Offer Beeri & Shay Mey-tal/ Agam Advanced 

Agronomy. 

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printed in Israel, October 2010. cover photographer: rina nagila, kibbutz ortal

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Development of Onion 

Harvesting Machinery 

I. Sagi 1 , Y. Kashti 1 , F. Geoola 1 , 

Y. Grinshpon 1 , L. Rozenfeld 1 , 

A. Levi 1 , R. Brikman 1 , O. Mishli 2 , 

E. Margalit 3 

1. Institute of Agricultural 

Engineering, ARO. 

2. Kibbutz Yotvata 

3. Agricultural Extension Services. 

Fig. 2 1. The digger digs and prepares a 4fresh onion windrow for Fig. 5 2. The harvester harvest dry onion and load a container. 

curing. 

The Institute of Agricultural Engineering, together with 

Kibbutz Yotvata, “Ardom Growth” and local agricultural 

machinery manufacturers, including “Agromond Ltd.”, 

“Juran Ltd.”, “Green Arava Valley” and The Ilan Haruvi 

Workshop have developed a new set of machinery for 

onion harvesting and transporting. The new machinery 

includes a digger, a harvester and a container with a 

bottom rolled conveyor. 

Introduction 

In Israel, farmers grow onions all over the country - 

from the Golan Heights to the “Arava” valley - over an 

area of about 2,000 acres. Most of the growing fields 

are small. The overall yield is about 100,000 tons and 

all of it is sold on the local market. In the past, most 

of the farmers harvested their yields by hand, which 

required many workers. The workers harvested the 

amount of onions required according to the daily market 

demand. The reasons for harvesting by hand were; high 

mechanical damages caused by the machines and the 

6 

need for a packing house. Due to the lack of laborers 

in agricultural work, about 10 years ago, the Israeli 

Ministry of Agriculture encouraged farmers to import 

machinery for harvesting onions. A research team from 

the Institute of Agricultural Engineering was chosen to 

be responsible for testing the machines and making the 

necessary modifications in order to adapt them to local 

onion growth conditions. The project was financed by 

the chife scientist of the Ministry of Agriculturel. A set 

of onion harvesting machinery was imported by Kibbutz 

Yotveta in the Arava valley. The machinery included 

a mower for cutting the foliage before harvesting, a 

digger for digging the onions and preparing a windrow 

on the ground for curing and a harvester for harvesting 

the onions into a container driven along the side of the 

harvester. The machinery was used to test the harvesting 

of different onion species in various areas around the 

country. In general, the test results were very poor. The 

mower worked fine but the digger and the harvester 

needed modifications of high cost in order to improve 

the harvesting and to lower the rate of mechanical


Fig. 3. A hook lift container with a rolling bottom conveyor loaded 

with onions. 

damage to the onion. The main conclusion was that the 

imported machinery is not suitable for Israeli harvesting 

conditions and there is a need to develop local onion 

harvesting machinery. The Israeli onions are grown on 

beds and harvested in two ways: 1. harvesting fresh 

onions; 2. harvesting dry onions. The fresh onions are 

harvested at the beginning of the season in two stages. 

After cutting the foliage, workers dig the onions by hand 

and put them on the ground for curing. About 3 days after 

they are collected, the onions are placed in boxes and 

sent to the local markets. The dry onions are collected 

directly from the ground, placed into boxes and sent to 

the markets. 

Development of harvesting machinery 

According to the knowledge gained from the test results 

of the imported machinery and the study of the Israeli 

onion growth and harvesting conditions, a prototype 

digger and a harvester were designed and constructed. 

The digger (fig. 1) has a square and round bar digging 

system, a round bar conveyor mounted on the machine 

with two inclinations (15 degrees forward and 25 degrees 

backwards), above the front of the conveyor there is a 

rotor with 4 rubber wings, a digging depth automatic 

controller and a speed monitor to help the operator to 

adjust the conveyor speed to the tractor speed. The two 

inclines were designed to prevent onions from rolling at 

the front of the digger and to put them on the ground from 

behind at a low level. The rotor rubber wings help the 

onions climb onto the conveyor. The digger is operated 

by an 80hp field tractor using the 3 point linkage. 

The harvester (fig. 2) was designed for harvesting fresh 

and dry onions. Therefore, it has the same digging 

system as that of the digger. The harvester has two 

conveyors. The first one is a round bar conveyor mounted 

at a 15 degree slope in order to prevent back rolling of 

the onions. Above the front of the conveyor there is a 

rotor with 4 rubber wings to help the onions climb onto 

it. The second conveyor is a loading conveyor with 3 

segments for loading different height containers and for 

folding them during road driving. The loading conveyor 

is mounted perpendicular behind the first conveyor. The 

top end of the conveyor can be adjusted during work 

to the height level of the container bottom in order to 

prevent mechanical damages. The harvester has an 

automatic depth control system, a conveyor speed 

measuring 8 and adjusting system and a width balance 

controller to keep the harvester parallel to the ground. 

The harvester is drawn by an 80hp tractor on two 

wheels with an automatic return steering system. The 

harvester has a self hydraulic system for operating the 

conveyors and other components. The driver controls 

the harvester systems from the tractor cabin by an 

electronic controller. 

The digger was constructed by “Agromond Ltd.” and 

the harvester was constructed by “Juran Ltd.”. To date 3 

diggers and 1 harvester have been constructed and are 

being operated by 4 Israeli onion growers. 

Farmers that have onion packing houses collect and 

transport the onions in large hook lift containers. In 

the packing house the container is lifted and unloaded 

into a big hoper. This method of unloading causes the 

onions to fall and roll into the hoper from a high level, 

get damaged and lose their peels. In order to prevent 

unloading damages, a container with a bottom rolling 

conveyor was designed and constructed in cooperation 

with “Green Arava Valley”, “Ardom Growth” and The Ilan 

Haruvi Workshop (fig. 3). 

There is no need to lift the container for unloading in 

the packing house. The driver puts the back door of the 

container above the hoper, opens the back door and 

connects the electrical motor to the rolling conveyor 

axle. From this moment the conveyors are rolled under 

control, the onions fall into the hoper from a low level 

and are not rolled. The system has been operated by 

“Kibbutz Yotvata” and “Ardom Growth” for the past 2 

years. They reported that the amount of marketed onions 

has increased by 6% due to the reduction in mechanical 

damages. 

isagi@agri.gov.il 

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Sea Transport of Easter 

Lily* cut Flowers: 

Determination of the 

Optimal Harvest Stage 

Shimon Meir 1* , Shoshana 

Salim 1* , Betina Kochanek 1* , 

Tamar Tzadka 1* , Tamar Lahav 2* 

and Sonia Philosoph-Hadas 1* 

Figure 1: Definition of the opening and senescence stages of the 

lily florets cv. ‘White Heaven’ from stage 1 = closed, green floret of 

7-9 cm length, through stage 8 = the senescence stage, in which 

the petals turn transparent, wilted and tend to drop. Stage 5 was 

defined as the opening stage, while stage 6 represents full opening. 

The transition from stage 5 to 6 lasts only few hours. 

Introduction 

Easter lily (Lilium Longiflorum) cut flowers are quite large 

and heavy. Therefore, it is most important to reduce 

their shipping costs by exporting them via sea freight 

rather than by air transport. According to financial 

analyses, sea transport in comparison to air transport 

(marketing and freight) amounted to a savings of 17,000 

IS per dunam, which is very significant for the growers. 

As such, reliable methods for shipping lilies by sea 

transport should be developed. 

Flower auctions and dealers generally receive the lily 

*(Lilium Longiflorum) 

10 

cut flowers before their florets start to open, when the 

first floret reaches its maximum closed bud size. This 

stage is also the recommended harvest stage when the 

flowers are transported by air. The recommendations 

for postharvest treatment developed in our laboratory 

included pulsing with preservatives containing 

8-hydroxyquinoline citrate and surfactants (TOG-4, 

Merhav Agro Ltd., Ashdod, Israel), together with the 

gibberellin GA 3 at a concentration of 25 ppm to delay 

leaf senescence and yellowing. We have shown that 

the GA 3 pulsing treatment was very effective also in 

delaying leaf and flower senescence of various other lily 

cultivars, such as Longiflorum x Asiatic hybrid ‘Shira’ 

and Lilium candidum L. 

The present study describes the development of sea 

transport conditions for shipping Easter lily cut flowers 

cvs. ‘White Heaven’ and ‘Maggie Blanche’ bearing two 

or multiple florets per stem, as compared to their air 

transport. The study was focused on determination of 

the optimal harvest stage for the sea shipment. 

Materials and Methods 

Chemicals: TOG-6 containing organic chlorine, TOG-4 

containing 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate, the ‘Teabag’ 

formulation containing the gibberellin GA 3 (all supplied 

by Merhav Agro Ltd., Ashdod, Israel). 

Pulsing treatments and shipment simulations: Lily 

flowers were harvested from the growers at various 

harvest stages (as detailed in Figures 1-4), sorted and 

bound into 5-stem bunches, and then brought in cartons 

to the laboratory at the Volcani Center. Immediately upon 

their arrival, the flowering stems were pulsed for 4 h at 

20°C and additional 16 h at 2°C with the recommended


Figure 2: Effect of the harvest stage of multi-floret stems of 

‘Maggie Blanche’ lily following air (A, B, C) or sea (D, E, F) transport 

simulations, on days to flower opening of florets 1 and 2 (A, D), days 

from flower opening to death of floret 2 (B, E), and on total vase 

life duration determined when floret 2 reached senescence stage 

8 (C, F). Flowers were harvested when their first floret reached the 

stages presented in Fig. 2G, and treated as described in Materials 

and Methods. The results represent means of 5 replicates ± SE. The 

red numbers in Fig. 2D indicate the difference in days to opening of 

florets 1 and 2 following sea and air transport. 

treatment comprised of 0.2% TOG-4 + 25 ppm GA 3 . The 

flowers were then packed into commercial cartons 

and stored for air transport (2-3 days at 6°C) or sea 

transport (8 days at 2°C) simulations. After storage, 

the flowers were placed in vases containing TOG-6 as 

a preservative, and incubated in a controlled standard 

observation room (20°C, 60-70% relative humidity and 

12-h photoperiod) to determine their longevity following 

the transport simulations. 

Determination of the harvest stage and floret quality 

parameters: The harvest stage was determined 

according to the floret size as detailed in Figure 2G, and 

according to the turning of the floret bud color from 

green to white (Figure 4G). Eight stages of development 

and senescence of the floret in the vase were defined, 

as presented in Figure 1 for the ‘White Heaven’ cultivar. 

The first, second and third florets were marked on the 

Figure 3: Effect of the harvest stage of multi-floret stems of ‘Maggie 

Blanche’ lily on the diameter (A) and length (B) of florets 1-3 at full 

opening stage (stage 7) during vase life, following air transport 

simulation. The experiment was performed as detailed in Figure 2. 

The results represent means of 5 replicates ± SE. 

flowering stem, and their developmental stages until 

senescence were followed-up during vase life. We have 

monitored the days to floret opening (stage 5 in Figure 

1), and the days from floret opening to its senescence. 

The flowering stem was discarded when the second 

floret reached senescence stage 8, and the total vase 

life duration was determined accordingly. The quality 

parameters, including floret diameter and length, were 

monitored at full opening before senescence (stage 7 in 

Figure 1). 

Results and Discussion 

The results of the experiments conducted with the 

‘Maggie Blanche’ lily cultivar harvested at three different 

stages (Figure 2G), indicate that sea transport (Figure 

2E) did not affect the number of days (6-7) during which 

the florets were open in the vase, in comparison to air 

transport (Figure 2B). Hence, the shipment method had 

no effect on the floret senescence rate after opening. 

The only difference between flowers transported either 

by air or by sea was obtained in the rate of opening of 

11


Figure 4: Effect of the harvest stage of two-floret stems of ‘White 

Heaven’ lily following air (A, B, C) or sea (D, E, F) transport 

simulations, on days to flower opening of florets 1 and 2 (A, D), days 

from flower opening to death of floret 2 (B, E), and on total vase life 

duration determined when floret 2 reached senescence stage 8 (C, 

F). Flowers were harvested when their first floret reached the stages 

presented in Fig. 4G. The experiment was performed as detailed in 

Figure 2. The results represent means of 5 replicates ± SE. 

the first floret bud, which was shorter (by 1-1.5 days) 

following sea transport (Figure 2D) as compared with air 

transport (Figure 2A). Thus, the first floret, harvested at 

stages 3, 2 or 1, opened after 3, 5 or 8 days, respectively, 

following air transport (Figure 2A), and after 1.5, 3.5 or 

7 days, respectively, following sea transport (Figure 2D). 

These results indicate that the floret bud continues to 

grow and to develop during the sea transport period, 

even though it is kept at 2°C. 

The total vase life duration monitored for flowering 

stems harvested when the first floret was at stage 3, 

was only one day shorter following sea transport (Figure 

2F), as compared with flowers shipped by air (Figure 2C). 

This difference stems from the shorter time (one day) 

required for the opening of the second floret harvested at 

stage 3 and transported by sea (Figure 2D), as compared 

12 

to flowers transported by air (Figure 2A). Similar results 

were obtained in two additional experiments, performed 

with ‘Maggie Blanche’ flowers harvested from another 

grower, as well as with ‘White Heaven’ flowers bearing 

two florets per stem (data not shown). 

It should be noted that the floret size at full opening was 

affected from the harvest stage following air transport 

(Figure 3), and similar results were obtain also following 

sea transport (data not shown). When flowers were 

harvested with florets at stage 2 or 3, no difference was 

obtained in their diameter. However, florets harvested at 

stage 1 (even if it is the first floret), could not reach at full 

opening the diameter (Figure 3A) or the length (Figure 

3B) of florets harvested at stages 2 or 3. Similar results 

were obtained also for the third floret in flowering stems 

harvested with the first floret at stages 2 or 3, as the 

size of the third floret in these flowers was smaller or 

similar to the size of a floret in stage 1. It is important 

to note that inclusion in the vase of the ‘cut flower 

food’ solution, which contains sugar and bacteriocides, 

resulted in a third floret with bigger size, similar to the 

sizes of the first and second florets (data not shown). 

Since the florets continue to grow during the sea 

transport shipment, we have determined an additional 

parameter to indicate the floret developmental stage at 

harvest, which was based on the change in bud color 

(Figure 4G), in addition to the bud length. To examine 

this parameter, we have performed an experiment with 

‘Maggie Blanche’ flowers harvested according to floret 

size and color. The results show that no difference was 

obtained in the various quality parameters between 

flowering stems transported by air (Figures 4A-4C) or by 

sea (Figures 4D-4F), when harvested at stage 3 (Figure 

4G). 

The presented findings indicate that cut Easter lily 

flowers can be shipped successfully by sea freight from 

Israel to The Netherland, without impairing their quality 

as compared to air transport, provided that the flowers 

are harvested at the optimal harvest stage and a cooling 

chain at 2°C is maintained during the pathway. Therefore, 

the recommended harvest stage for sea transport of 

Easter lily is the stage of initial puffing of the first floret, 

when it reaches a length of at least 11 cm and its color is 

still green, or has only just begun to turn white. 

shimonm@volcani.agri.gov.il 

1*. Department of Postharvest Science of Fresh Produce, Agricultural 

Research Organization (ARO), The Volcani Center, Bet-Dagan, ISRAEL; 

2*. Extension Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 

ISRAEL 

Contribution No. 593/10 from the ARO, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 

Israel.

The Optimal Solutions for Cut Flowers 

. 

Production and Technical advice: 

agro@merhavagro.com 

www.merhavagro.com


Cucurbita Rootstocks 

as Biological Filters 

for Contaminants in 

Vegetable Plants Grown 

under Irrigation with 

Marginal Water 

M. Edelstein 1 and M. Ben-Hur 2 

1.Department of Vegetable 

Crops, Agricultural Research 

Organization, 

Newe Ya’ar Research Center, 

P.O.Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30095, 

Israel 

2. Institute of Soil, Water and 

Environmental Sciences, 

Agricultural Research 

Organization, 

Volcani Center, P.O.Box 6, Bet 

Dagan 50250, Israel 

Fig. 1: Melon plant grafted onto pumpkin rootstock (left) and in the 

open field (right). 

Fig 2: Microelement concentrations in fruits from grafted and 

non-grafted melon plants irrigated with secondary effluent water. 

Vertical bars represent ± SE (unpublished data). 

Introduction 

A major part of the Mediterranean region is characterized 

by water scarcity, with long dry summers and short wet 

winters. To satisfy the demand for food and to combat 

desertification in this region, marginal water sources, 

such as treated domestic sewage (effluent) and saline 

water, are being increasingly used for irrigation (Ben- 

Hur, 2004). Moreover, the pressure to avoid disposal of 

nutrient-rich effluents into water bodies has contributed 

to the rapid expansion of effluent reuse for irrigation 

(Halliwell et al., 2001). 

The electrical conductivity (EC) of saline water is much 

higher than that of fresh water, and it may exceed 5 

dS/m when the dominant ions are Na and Cl. Similarly in 

effluents, the EC and pH values, and the concentrations 

of microelements such as heavy metals and B, and of 

nutrients and dissolved organic matter are, in general, 

significantly higher than in fresh water. Long-term use 

of these types of water for irrigation could increase the 

accumulation and concentrations of microelements and 

saline elements (Na, Ca, Mg, and Cl) in the soil (Ben-Hur, 

2004; Feigin et al., 1991). Relatively high concentrations 

of Na + , Cl - and microelements in the soil solution 

could be toxic to plants and to humans. Absorption of 

these elements by the plants could affect their growth 

and yield, and increase the possibility of contaminants 

14


Fig 3: B concentration in xylem sap exudates from melon and 

cucurbita plants as a function of B content in the irrigation water. 

Vertical bars represent ± SE (unpublished data). 

entering the food supply chain. 

Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned 

about soil and water contamination and the use of 

toxic chemicals on agricultural land, because of the 

possible adverse effects on environmental quality and 

human health. This is particularly true for vegetables, 

which are often regarded as a safe and nutritious food 

source. Edelstein et al. (2005) suggested that grafted 

plants (Fig. 1) could be used to prevent the entry of toxic 

microelements and saline elements into the food chain 

via plants. The present paper reviews and discusses the 

possibility of using grafted vegetable plants to inhibit 

penetration of saline and toxic elements into the plant 

and fruit under arid and semiarid conditions. 

Microelements in plant tissues 

The effects of plant grafting on microelement 

concentrations in the fruit of melon plants under field 

conditions were studied in field plots with clay soil in an 

experimental station in Akko, northern Israel. The field 

plots were irrigated with secondary effluent for 4 years, 

and melon (Cucumis melo L., cv. Arava) (non-grafted 

plant) and melon grafted onto pumpkin rootstock TZ- 

148 (grafted plant) were grown in these plots. The 

concentrations of various microelements in the fruits of 

the grafted and non-grafted melon plants are presented 

in Fig. 2. In general, the concentrations of B, Zn, Sr, 

Mn, Cu, Ti, Cr, Ni, and Cd were significantly lower in the 

fruits of grafted vs. non-grafted plants. 

To determine the mechanisms responsible for the 

lower microelement concentrations in the fruits of the 

grafted plants, detailed experiments were conducted in 

Fig. 4: Growth performance, fruit yield and mean fruit weight of nongrafted 

(‘Tri-X 313’; NG) and grafted (onto TZ-148; G) watermelon 

irrigated with saline water (EC = 4.5 dS/m) (after Cohen et al., 

2007). 

the greenhouse. Grafted and non-grafted melon plants 

were irrigated with fresh water (EC = 1.8 dS/m), saline 

water (EC = 4.6 dS/m) or secondary effluent enriched 

with B at up to 10 mg/L (Edelstein et al., 2005, 2007). 

The B concentrations in old leaves of the non-grafted 

and grafted plants increased linearly and significantly 

(R>0.96) with increasing B concentration in the 

fresh and saline and effluent irrigation waters; the B 

concentrations in the leaves of the grafted plants were 

lower than in those of the non-grafted plants (Edelstein 

et al., 2005). The lower B concentration in the organs of 

the grafted plants might be mainly due to differences in 

the properties of the grafted vs. non-grafted plant’s root 

systems. B can be absorbed by the root cell symplast or 

loaded into the xylem by means of two main transport 

mechanisms: passive diffusion through the lipid bilayer, 

and passage through proteinaceous channels in the cell 

membrane (Dannel et al., 2002; Dordas et al., 2000). 

Edelstein et al. (2005) suggested that the Cucurbita 

rootstock excludes some B and that this, in turn, 

decreases the B concentration in the grafted plants. 

To determine the differences in selectivity of the root 

systems of melon (cv. Arava) and pumpkin (TZ-148) to B 

absorption, their seedlings were planted in pots in the 

greenhouse, and irrigated with fresh water containing 

various concentrations of B. Thirty days after planting, 

and immediately after an irrigation event, stems 3 cm 

above the surface of the growth medium were cut and 

the xylem sap exudates collected. B concentration 

was determined in each collected sap sample. The B 

concentrations in the melon sap exudates were higher 

than those in the pumpkin sap exudates (Fig. 3). Thus 

it was postulated that the pumpkin root system was 

15


Table 1: Average concentrations of saline elements (g/kg, DW) in 

different organs of non-grafted and grafted plants irrigated with 

effluent water ± SE (unpublished data). 

more selective and absorbed less B than of the melon 

roots. The B-exclusion hypothesis is supported by other 

studies: Dannel et al. (1998, 2002) suggested that at 

low B concentrations, B uptake may be active, but at 

high concentrations, there is evidence of B excretion or 

exclusion. Dordas et al. (2000) indicated that B enters 

plant cells partly by passive diffusion through the lipid 

bilayer of the plasma membrane and partly through 

proteinaceous channels. Dordas and Brown (2001) 

examined B transport in squash plants, and suggested 

that both of these mechanisms were possible. 

Saline elements in the plant tissues 

The effects of grafting watermelon (‘Tri-X 313’) onto the 

commercial Cucurbita maxima × Cucurbita moschata 

rootstock TZ-148 on growth and yields of plants irrigated 

with saline water (EC 4.5 dS/m) in disease-free soil 

in experimental field plots in an arid zone in southern 

Israel are shown in Fig. 4. Vegetative growth, fruit yield 

and fruit sizes of the grafted plants were higher than 

those of the non-grafted plants (Fig. 4). The differences 

in yield parameters were probably due to the higher 

salt tolerance of the grafted vs. non-grafted plants or to 

higher excretion or exclusion of saline ions by the root 

system of the grafted plants. 

Fernandez-Garcia et al. (2003) showed that under 

saline conditions (60 mM NaCl), Cl - and Na + uptake 

by grafted tomato plants is significantly lower than 

that by non-grafted plants, indicating that the former 

exhibit higher selectivity toward saline absorption than 

the latter. Likewise, Romero et al. (1997) found that the 

effects of salinity on two varieties of melon grafted onto 

three hybrids of squash were less severe than those on 

non-grafted melons, suggesting that the grafted plants 

develop various mechanisms to prevent the physiological 

damage caused by excessive accumulation of Cl - and 

Na+ in the leaves. The suggested mechanisms included 

exclusion of Cl - and/or reduction of its absorption by the 

roots, and replacement or substitution of total Na + with 

total K + in the foliage. 

The concentrations of Ca, Na, Mg, and Cl - in the leaves, 

stem, and fruit tissues of a non-grafted melon (cv. 

Arava) plant and melon grafted onto pumpkin rootstock 

(TZ-148) grown in field plots in the experimental station 

in Akko are presented in Table 1. These plants were 

irrigated with secondary effluent. The concentrations of 

all saline elements except Mg in the stem and leaves 

were higher in the non-grafted vs. grafted plants (Table 

1). The largest difference between the non-grafted and 

grafted plants was in their Na concentration, which 

was one order of magnitude lower in the grafted plant 

tissues than in the non-grafted ones. 

Edelstein et al. (2010) suggested two mechanisms that 

might explain the decrease in shoot Na concentration in 

plants with pumpkin rootstocks: (i) Na exclusion by the 

pumpkin roots, and (ii) Na retention and accumulation 

within the pumpkin rootstock. Quantitative analysis 

performed by Edelstein et al. (2010) indicated that the 

pumpkin roots excluded ~74% of available Na, while 

there was nearly no Na exclusion by melon roots. Na 

retention by the pumpkin rootstocks decreased its 

amount in the shoot by an average 46.9% compared 

to uniform Na distribution throughout the plant. In 

contrast, no retention of Na was found in plants grafted 

on melons. 

Conclusions 

Intensive agriculture has increased the use of toxic 

chemicals on cultivated lands. In addition, to satisfy the 

demand for food in arid and semiarid regions, the use 

of marginal water sources, such as treated domestic 

sewage (effluent) and saline water, for irrigation is on the 

rise. These can enhance soil and water contamination, 

and the possibility of toxic microelements and saline 

elements entering into the food supply chain via plants. 

From laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments, 

it can be concluded that grafting of vegetable plants 

can be used as a technique to prevent the entry of 

toxic microelements and saline elements into the food 

chain. 

References 

References are available at the corresponding author 

medelst@volcani.agri.gov.il 

16


Sprouting Inhibition of 

Postharvest Potatoes 

by using Environment 

Friendly Mint Essential Oil 

Dani Eshel 1 , Paula Teper-Bamnolker 

1 , Roi Amitay 2 and Harry 

Daniel 2 

1. Department of Postharvest 

Science, The Volcani Center, Bet 

Dagan 50250, Israel. 

2. Agro-Dan 2008 Ltd, Israel. 

Fig. 1: Effect of monthly application of mint essential oil (MEO) on 

potato tubers from cultivar Belini, stored for 9 months at 10°C. 

Fig. 2: Effect of mint essential oil (MEO) thermal fogging on potato 

sprouting in storage. Tubers from eight cultivars were stored for 

6 months. All tubers were stored at 8°C and 95% humidity and 

were thermally fogged monthly with MEO at 100 ml t-1 in the first 

application and 30 ml t-1 monthly in subsequent applications. 

Dashed line represents the level above which potatoes are no 

longer marketable. Error bars represent SE. 

Introduction: The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the 

highest gross value crop in Israel and the world’s largest 

food crop in terms of fresh produce after rice and wheat. 

Postharvest potatoes suffer from undesirable sprouting 

during storage leading to alterations in weight, turgidity, 

and texture. Tuber sprouting during storage is caused 

by the cessation of natural dormancy of the tuber. Cold 

temperature storage (2-4°C) delays sprout development 

but does not delay unacceptable tissue sweetening. 

Successful long-term storage of potatoes for market, 

processing or seed-tubers necessitates using a sprout 

control agent in combination with proper management 

of storage conditions. Chlorpropham (isopropyl N-[3- 

chlorophenyl] carbamate; CIPC) is the most effective 

post-harvest sprout inhibitor registered for use in potato 

storage, used successfully as a sprout inhibitor for more 

than 40 years. It is a mitotic inhibitor that inhibits sprout 

development by interfering with cell division and is 

effective in long-term sprout control. There have been 

reports of residue levels in processed potato products 

and both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

and the ”Advisory Committee on Pesticides (APC) in the 

UK put new limits on total CIPC application and residue. 

Random sampling has shown that there is potential 

to exceed the maximum residue limit, even when 

applications have been made according to best practice 

(http://www.pro-potato.com). For seed-tuber growers, 

CIPC residues are problematic in cases where it would 

be desirable to rapidly break tuber dormancy. Also, 

potato seed-tubers cannot be treated or stored in CIPC 

storage facilities, because of the long term negative 

effect on field germination. Alternatives to CIPC are also 

needed for both the organic and export markets where 

CIPC is not permitted or residue level is limited. Due 

to increased concern for consumer health and safety, 

18


Fig. 3: Semi-commercial application of mint essential oil on stored potato tubers. 

there is considerable interest in finding effective potato 

sprout suppressants that have negligible environmental 

impact. Previous research has concentrated on such 

compounds as ethylene, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, 

volatile monoterpenes, aromatic aldehydes and 

alcohols. To date, only one monoterpene, (S)-(+)- 

carvone (S-5-isopropenyl-2-methyl-2-cyclohexenone), 

a chemical produced from caraway (Carum carvi) seeds 

and described as a volatile sprout suppressant more 

than 30 years ago, has been developed commercially. 

Higher production and application costs compared 

to such traditional sprout suppressants as CIPC have 

limited its use primarily in the Netherlands. 

Research objectives are to develop an alternative, 

environmental friendly, method for sprout suppression 

in order to (1) inhibit potato sprouting during storage 

and shelf life; (2) maintain tuber quality parameters; (3) 

delay diseases of potato tubers during storage, and (4) 

regulate sprouting in potato seeds. 

Methods: We tested the efficiency of mint essential 

oil (MEO, Biox-M®, Xeda International, Saint Andiol, 

France) on the sprout inhibition of eight potato cultivars 

that are commonly grown in Israel and differ in their 

length of dormancy. Tubers were treated in the lab and 

semi commercial scale by monthly thermal fogging 

(Electro-fogger, Xeda International). Treated tubers 

were analyzed for preserving their quality parameters, 

such as weight, turgidity, texture and taste. The effect 

of MEO was analyzed by microscopic and biochemical 

means. 

Results: A scalable method to inhibit potato tuber 

sprouting by fogging with a raw material extracted from 

natural spearmint oil (70% R-carvone) was developed 

(Fig. 1) (Eshel et al. 2008, Orenstein et al. 2008, Teper- 

Bamnolker et al. 2010). Experiments were conducted on 

8 potato cultivars that differ in their length of dormancy 

(Fig. 2). Tubers were treated with MEO using an applicator 

that creates a thermal fog circulated by the ventilation 

system. Monthly thermal fogging with MEO inhibited 

sprouting for 9 months in all treated cultivars. Purified 

R-carvone produced the same effect. Treatment with 

MEO reduced weight loss during storage by up to 4% and 

reduced softening; both these changes were associated 

with sprouting inhibition. Thermal fogging of potato 

tubers with MEO resulted in highly efficient penetration 

to bulk of commercial Dolev containers (Fig. 3). Cooking 

of treated potatoes showed no taste, color or texture 

changes. 

Conclusions and recommendations for MEO application: 

Since mint oil was found as an efficient way for sprout 

inhibition of potato tubers under semi commercial 

storage conditions, we should consider a controlled 

translocation to commercial storage rooms. Mint 

esential oil way action is reversible and can be tested to 

control sprouting of potato tuber seeds. 

Literature 

Eshel, D., J. Orenstein, M. Hazanovsky, and L. Tsror. 2008. 

Control of sprouting and tuber-borne diseases of stored 

potato by environment-friendly method. Acta Hort 830:363- 

368. 

Orenstein, J., M. Michaeli, and D. Eshel. 2008. Sprouting 

retard in potatoes, whilst quality assurence during sorage, by 

using mint oil. Gan Vayerek (in hebrew) 5:59-62. 

Teper-Bamnolker, P., N. Dudai, R. Fischer, E. Belausov, H. 

Zemach, O. Shoseyov, and D. Eshel. 2010. Mint essential oil 

can induce or inhibit potato sprouting by differential alteration 

of apical meristem. Planta 232:179-186. 

dani@agri.gov.il 

19

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Antonella – A new Tomato 

On-The-Vine 

Dr. Alon Haberfeld, 

Marketing Manager, 

Hazera Genetics 

Tomatoes on-the-vine, also known as cluster tomatoes, 

are not new to tomato consumers worldwide. They have 

been there since the first introduction of a cluster variety 

by Hazera Genetics in 1986 in Italy. This innovative product 

controlled the Italian tomato market for several years, 

and is still marketed in some parts of Europe, mainly for 

the hobby sector. However, until recently tomatoes onthe-vine 

were niche products, consumed only by a very 

small portion of the population that was willing to pay 

its price. Nevertheless, the improved flavor of cluster 

tomatoes and the sense of freshness that is associated 

with the aroma of the green spine, gradually gained 

them market share. Farmers also came to like on-thevine 

tomatoes since the amount of labor required for 

their production is much lower compared to other crops 

and the price is usually higher. At present, about 50% 

of fresh tomatoes consumed in Europe are purchased 

on-the-vine. Other markets for on-the-vine tomatoes 

include USA, Australia, Canada and more. 

Cluster tomatoes are produced in southern Europe 

mainly in the winter and in glasshouses in northern 

Europe in the summer. Recently, the production of 

tomatoes on-the-vine spread to Turkey and North 

Africa for consumption in Europe, and to Mexico for 

consumption in USA. As mentioned, Hazera Genetics 

was the first seed company to launch a cluster tomato 

variety in Italy over 20 years ago, and is since continuing to 

develop cluster tomato varieties for production in Spain, 

Italy, Turkey, France and Israel. This project is carried 

out by a team of researchers from Hazera Genetics and 

in part is done in collaboration with researchers from 

the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 

Antonella is one of the varieties derived from the 

abovementioned collaboration. It was developed 

for the Italian market and tested in all on-the-vine 

producing areas. Antonalla has a medium size fruit 

with excellent quality and a very elegant fishbone like 

cluster arrangement. The fruit has a very shiny red color 

and extremely long shelf life. In addition, Antonella has 

a very good heat setting ability that makes it a perfect 

candidate for production in hot conditions, such as the 

Israeli summer. When all other tomato varieties yield 

22


low quality, soft and pale fruit, Antonella fruits have 

excellent color and firmness. And they can maintain this 

high quality at room temperature for up to one week post 

harvest. In the past summer season, about 100 hectares 

of Antonalla were produced in southern Israel. 

To promote Antonella among Israeli consumers who 

are not used to buying tomatoes on-the-vine, Hazera 

Genetics has joined one of Israel’s leading retailers in 

a joint launching effort. The variety was promoted and 

sold under Hazera’s Antonella brand. All products were 

clearly marked with the Antonella logo and offered to 

consumers in stores in most regions of Israel during the 

summer- autumn months (August- September). Due to 

the successful launch Antonella is expected to triple its 

market share in the next production season. 

Hazera Genetics is one of the world’s leading companies 

in the field of breeding, production and marketing of 

hybrid seeds for vegetables and field crops, specializing in 

advanced bio-technological research and development, 

worldwide distribution and agro-technical support. The 

company, established seven decades ago, is constantly 

developing new products that address market demands, 

including improved health and nutritional benefits, 

quality, especially high yields, year round availability, 

resistance to diseases and longer shelf life. 

hag@hazera.com 

TOTZA’AH 

Agriculture and lndustry (1995) 

Business Enterprise and Development 

geet reurce r 

Agriculture uiee i rel 

cellig i uie i cercil rereetti 

eelet uie te 

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23

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The New Generation of 

Drippers 

Dr. Gidi Sagi 

Drip irrigation is the most efficient and water saving 

irrigation method. It has become the most popular 

and the leading irrigation method used in intensive 

agriculture during the past three decades. 

However, the extensive use of more sophisticated 

irrigation methods, such as very low dripper flow-rate, 

pulse irrigation and SDI (Subsurface Drip Irrigation) 

along with the global tendency for the increased use of 

low quality, marginal water and reclaimed effluent water 

26 

for irrigation, have necessitated the development of a 

new generation of drippers. 

The R&D demands characteristic of the new generation 

of drippers were quite challenging: 

Small flat PC dripper – a dripper with a large variety 

of lateral diameters and wall thicknesses, for versatile 

irrigation design and a cost effective product. 

Clogging resistant dripper: a dripper with a large inlet 

filter, wide water passages with no narrow orifices and a


Figure 2: A very large inlet filter 

of the Vardit dripper. 

7 8 

area and enables water to enter the dripper through one 

of the many active inlets (Figure 2). The size of the active 

inlet filter is very important for dripper block resistance. 

Studies have shown that most of the drippers’ clogs are 

found on the inlet filter and that the active area size has 

a major impact on dripper clog resistance. 

The Assif dripper is an anti -siphon PC dripper designed 

mainly for SDI. The anti-siphon mechanism prevents 

the suction of surrounding water and dirt into the 

dripper, at the end of the irrigation cycle, when the dripline 

is drained and vacuum pressure conditions develop 

on some areas along the lateral. The Assif dripper is 

produced with the Rootguard version for reliable root 

protection in SDI. 

Figure 1: The Inbar drippers 

appear to be almost identical 

from the outside. 

Figure 3: Partial clogging of the 

inlet filter of the Inbar dripper, 

when using effluent water, still 

enables the nominal dripper 

flow-rate. 

turbulent, high velocity flow pattern to prevent particles 

from settling in the dripper. 

Non-drain dripper: a dripper that keeps the lateral filled 

with water between irrigation cycles, for immediate 

watering from all drippers along the drip-line with each 

irrigation cycle. 

Anti-siphon dripper: a dripper that shuts down 

simultaneously with the drop of pressure in the lateral 

at the end of the irrigation cycle, to prevent air and water 

suction through the dripper outlet and the penetration 

of sand and soil into the dripper - mainly for SDI. 

Rootguard dripper: a dripper that contains impregnated 

chemicals which prevent root intrusion into the dripper 

in SDI, eliminating the need for any other treatment for 

many years. 

The new Inbar dripper collection was developed by 

Metzerplas to meet the challenges of the new generation 

of drippers. The group includes three drippers, which 

seem almost identical from the outside (Figure 1), but 

are distinguished by unique designs to accomplish 

special individual features. 

The Vardit dripper is a small, flat PC dripper with a very 

large inlet filter that covers most of the dripper surface 

The Inbar dripper is an ND (Non-Drain) and AS flat PC 

dripper that keeps the lateral filled with water between 

the irrigation cycles. In a regular drip-line, the lateral is 

not filled with water at all times and the first drippers 

start to irrigate prior to the adjacent ones. In long 

laterals, the time required for a complete filling and 

for pressure to be built up can take more than several 

minutes. Pulse irrigation, characterized by many short 

irrigation cycles during the day, increases the difference 

in the watering level of each dripper along the drip-line. 

In a ND drip-line, all of the drippers along the lateral 

start watering at the same time for better and uniform 

water distribution. 

The revision of the features of both the ND and the AS 

drippers has included a slight reduction in the size of the 

inlet filter of the Assif and Inbar models in comparison to 

the Vardit dripper, but the active inlet filter has remained 

quite large to ensure free water passage into the dripper, 

for all water quality levels. Field trials conducted with 

Inbar drippers, using secondary treated effluent water 

without additional chemical treatment (chlorination or 

acidification), have been studied during the past three 

years. The results indicate that the drippers maintain 

their nominal flow rate, but the inlet filter shows partial 

clogging (Figure 3). The inlet filter is large enough and 

contains several active holes, each of them capable of 

supplying the entire dripper flow-rate, to ensure clog 

resistance. 

gsagi@zahav.net.il 

27


Developing a High 

Spatial and Temporal 

Resolution Database for 

Meteorological Based 

Agronomical Models 

Dr. Offer Beeri and Shay Mey-tal 

money on soil/plant sensing and sampling. The main 

goal of this project was to replace this method of hand 

sampling with a computer-based system. To achieve 

this goal, satellite imagery was integrated with climate 

dataset in a geographic information system (GIS), 

allowing for the collection of the data and the processing 

of daily reports for field crops in the project. 

Figure 1. Noon-time temperature, 28-March-2009, as captured by 

climate stations network (A) and satellite imagery (B). 

Local meteorology is an important part of agriculture 

crop monitoring as correct management incorporates 

crop growth and growth rate with weather data in order 

to determine irrigation amounts and timing. The most 

important climate data for this monitoring are growing 

degree-days (GDD) and evapo-transpiration (ET), where 

the former represents the accumulated temperature required 

for crop growth, and the latter characterizes the 

loss of water to the atmosphere. Both are necessary to 

ensure that the supplied water amounts are calculated 

based on the current growth rate and the loss of water. 

Most farmers are dependent upon climate stations 

located 30-50 km (20-30 miles) from each other (Figure 

1A). With local changes in topography, soil and drainage, 

the huge spatial variability between each pair of stations 

does not allow for effective monitoring of local crop 

fields (Figure 1B). 

As a result, farmers invest large amounts of time and 

5 

Scientific background: 

The main method to determine the amounts of water 

during any crop irrigation is calculating the potential 

ET, multiplied by crop coefficients that are based on 

crop growing models. These variables are calculated 

from weather stations and known experimental data to 

represent the day-to-day changes. Yet, as the spatial 

distribution is greater than the average field size, local 

differences are not recognizable. Numerous researchers 

have attempted to resolve this issue by integrating 

remote imagery. These projects have illustrated that as 

crops become dryer and require more water, the greater 

the difference between crop and air temperatures 

(Moran, 1994). To ensure that crop growth stages do 

not affect this model, the vegetation temperature is 

normalized by the vegetation vigor, both mapped by 

satellite imagery. This index represents the vegetation 

resistance to transpiration (Nemani and Running, 1989) 

with higher values indicating water-stress. Integration 

of this method will allow for the mapping of differences 

between neighboring crop fields, as well as inside 

any plot, and agriculture growth models that use crop 

coefficients for monitoring will enable updated irrigation 

amounts for each field. 

30


In order to test the possibility of using satellite imagery 

for day-to-day irrigation decision making, the suggested 

GIS module combines data from satellite imagery 

and local weather stations. The Moderate Resolution 

Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is used with its Red 

and Near-Infrared 250-m pixel and surface temperature 

1000-m products. The latter is scaled-down to 250-m 

(Hassen et al 2007). Weather stations are used for 

calibration while the other weather station is utilized 

for verification. The spatial variability of the GIS product 

is tested on cotton and tomatoe crops and in natural 

forests. 

The research goals were (2009 season): 

1. To test the variability among temperature calculated 

from weather stations and mapped by temperature 

integrating surface temperature imagery, Red and 

Near-Infrared images and weather station data. 

2. To test the variability among GDD calculated by 

weather stations and GDD mapped by surface 

temperature imagery. 

3. To build a GIS module for agriculture monitoring by 

satellite imagery and weather stations. 

The research results were: 

Remote sensing temperature (Surface), was well 

correlated to temperatures calculated from weather 

stations (Air at 2m). 

We found variability of GDD between growing fields based 

on GDD mapped by surface temperature imagery. 

We have built remote sensing and GIS models for 

agriculture monitoring by satellite imagery and weather 

stations. 

Summary: 

We have built a low cost remote sensing model enabling 

precise field-scale irrigation amount and timing 

calculation. 

This model can be used to improve and make other 

agricultural models more precise, such as 

insect growth models (IPM), harvest 

timing etc…anywhere around the 

globe. 

In 2010, we improved our 

model with the integration 

of other satellite data (higher 

spatial resolution), and checked 

it with more crops and needs. 

For more details please contact 

as at info@agam-ag.com 

NDVI (biomass index) used in 

our model to improve spatial 

resolution from 100Ha/pixel to 

approximately 5Ha/pixel. It can 

also be used to monitor crop 

growth rate. 

Minimum air temperatures 

in Celsius, calculated by 

the weather station (2m) 

calibrating model. Daily 

average temperatures and GDD 

can be calculated based on 

minimum and maximum (same 

calibration model) temperature 

data. 

References 

Allen, R. Pereira, LS. Smith, M. Raes, D. and Wright, JL. 

(2005), FAO-56 Dual crop coefficient method for estimating 

evaporation from soil and application extension, Journal of 

Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, 131, 1-12 

Hassan QK. Bourque CPA. Meng F. and Richards W. (2007), 

Spatial mapping of growing degree days: an application of 

MODIS-based surface temperatures and enhanced vegetation 

index, Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 1, 1-12 (DOI: 

10.1117/1.2740040) 

Moran MS (1994) Irrigation management in Arizona using 

satellites and airplanes. Irrigation Sciences, 15, 35-44. 

Nemani R. and Running S. (1989) Estimation of regional 

surface resistance to Evapotranspiration from NDVI and 

thermal-IR AVHRR data, Journal of Applied Meteorology, 28, 

276-284. 

MODIS website: http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/ 

info@agam-ag.com 

31

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plot no.127b,llnd street 

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Tiruneveli 627011, 

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Agam Advanced Agronomy 

It Makes Sense . . . 

Agam Advanced Agronomy has been providing precision 

farming services since 2005. 

As a dynamic, cutting-edge company, Agam offers its customers 

advanced agricultural knowledge and capabilities at reasonable 

prices. 

Our projects are based on a precise definition of the customer’s 

agricultural needs, an economic feasibility analysis, and a 

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The result is a precision agricultural application based on 

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Our services include: 

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Yield map analysis. 

Precision farming consulting 

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Company Profiles 


Adirom - 

Creating 

a Climate 

for Growth 

www.adirom.co.il 

Adirom, since its establishment 20 years ago, has been 

supplying and installing climate-control solutions for 

the production of vegetables and flowers in greenhouses 

throughout the world. 

Adiram tailors its systems to create the most suitable 

environment for each type of crop, based on the local 

topography and climate conditions. 

Aiming to provide our costumers with the best solution, 

we have developed special equipment and methods of 

implementation. These systems and installations are 

currently operating in greenhouse projects covering close 

to 1000 hectares, spread across all five continents. 

The company’s engineering team would be happy to 

provide the best, cost-effective solution to accommodate 

your greenhouse climate-control requirements. 

Agam 

Advanced 

Agronomy 

www.agam-ag.com 

As a dynamic, front-running company, Advanced 

Agronomy offers its customers the most advanced 

agricultural know-how and professional capabilities. 

Our extensive theoretical and hands-on knowledge, 

based on academic qualifications, cutting-edge 

knowledge, strong ties with research institutions, and 

significant field experience (since 2000), enable us 

provide innovative solutions for top quality performance. 

The company offers advanced GIS and remote sensing 

capabilities, combining leading computer developments 

with our abundant knowledge and professional 

experience. 

AGAM projects are based on the precise definition of 

the specific agricultural need, economic feasibility 

analysis, and creative solutions to ensure successful 

results.From the planning of precision agricultural 

applications, based on systematic data collection and 

analysis, through project monitoring and follow-up, 

AGAM’s services are tailored to meet the specific needs 

of each agricultural endeavor. 

Gavish 

Control 

Systems 

www.gavish.org.il 

GAVISH is a leading company in the field of Agricultural 

Control Systems. The products are designed to enhance 

efficiency and productivity. 

Much attention is given to the system’s reliability and 

durability . 

Special effort is invested in R&D, quality control and 

field tests. 

GAVISH exports its products to Europe, the Middle 

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currently represent 80% of all sales. 

MAIN PRODUCTS: 

Greenhouse and Open field Control Systems 

A dedicated system for Greenhouses which controls two 

areas: 

Irrigation Control – Considers operating time-table, 

required quantity of water, existing water tensity in soil 

and other parameters. This data is used to decide when 

and how much water to irrigate each plot. The irrigation 

control also operates the fertilizing plan while checking 

EC, pH, and other elements involved. 

Radio system for Pivot irrigation, The system consists: 

In the control room - Spirit controller (PLC) with the 

software + Host + base & antena + PC computer. In the 

field, attached to the pivot, situated the RTU Radio with 

the ability to operate up to 9 operations and to read up to 

10 digital inputs. Each RTU is also can be a repeater in 

order to enlarge the the distance of the signal. 

Fertigation Machine – Gavish produces a Fertigation 

Machine consisting of PVC, assembled on an aluminum 

frame. There are 3 types of Fert. Machines: 

- Mixer, Bypass and Online machines 

- Climate Control 

- Irrigation And Fertilization Turnkey Projects 

Dairy Farm Control Systems 

Feedtrol - The leading product in the Israeli cattle feeding 

market. The purpose of this product is to eliminate food 

waste during the preparation of the cattle food. 

Mixmaster - A comprehensive package to control 

the feeding center. The center is based on a bridge 

scale, multiple mobile and static mixers, silos and a 

communication network. 

35



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Pressure reducing and sustaining 

Flow and level control 

36 

Pump, surge and burst control 

Solenoid, electronic and multi-step digital operation 

Main modes of operation include electric and hydraulic 

On/Off operation, as well as hydraulic pre-set for 

modulation. 

Precision Engineering - A BERMAD Commitment 

Comprehensive fluid management systems are only as 

effective as their smallest component, each part making 

a critical contribution to the whole. That’s why BERMAD 

systems are based on control components that are 

designed, developed and manufactured in-house. 

Dedication to precision engineering is expressed in 

BERMAD’s ability to adapt solutions to any customer 

need; to constantly integrate the latest, most reliable 

manufacturing techniques; and to provide every 

customer with the most comprehensive commercial 

and technical support in the world. 

BERMAD …a global leader in managing the world’s most 

precious resource 

ICL 

Fertilizers 

www.iclfertilizers.com 

ICL Fertilizers, one of the world’s largest fertilizer 

companies, provides end-users and manufacturers on 

five continents with a wide range of high-performance 

solutions - all from a single source. With more than 50 

years of experience in the field of fertilizer production 

and marketing, ICLs growing global family of integrated 

businesses ensures that customers receive the highest 

quality, competitive pricing and responsive sales and 

support. 

ICL Specialty Fertilizers produces superior-quality; costeffective 

specialty fertilizers that help growers achieve 

higher yields and better quality, in spite of scarce water 

and limited arable land. 

ICL Specialty Fertilizers serves sophisticated segments 

of the world’s agricultural market, including customers 

who use drip irrigation and greenhouses. 

Our fully-soluble fertilizers, with specific strength in P 

and K, are produced from the rich natural resources of 

potash from the Dead Sea and phosphate rock mines in 

Israel. These products, some of which are balanced with 

supplementary macro and micro-nutrients, are ideal for 

fertigation, hydroponics, foliar nutrition and as special 

starters, as well as for horticulture, aquaculture, food 

applications and other uses.



Eshet Eilon 

Industries 

(2003) Ltd 

www.eshet.co.il 

ESHET EILON INDUSTRIES (2003) LTD located at 

Kibbutz Eilon, Israel; proudly embraces Israel endless 

commitment to pursue world leading agricultural 

research, striving to provide the most advanced solutions 

to the farmers around the world. 

ESHET EILON with 65 years of continuous engineering 

endeavors and manufacturing demands from its 

customers has developed dependable experience to 

carry out successfully the most demanding and finest 

touch fresh produce packing systems. 

Our “turn key” projects totally customized and tailored 

to best suit the packinghouse specific needs, location, 

structure, unique conditions and budget. ESHET EILON 

is leading the world industry in design and manufacture 

the complete line of equipment in Stainless Steel, 

intending to provide our customers the best equipment 

worth value, beside sanitary and durability benefits. 

Our complete packing systems typically include fruit 

dumping systems, advanced sanitation systems 

enhanced with hot water or ozonated water, efficient 

hot-cold air dryers for perfect water removal and long 

produce shelf life expectancy, all together out coming to 

the most detectable benefit, provided by our accurate, 

medium and high speed, electronic sizers which with it’s 

optional optic systems upgrade, can sort out the perfect 

fruit for the most demanding market. 

Being farmers and packers ourselves, ESHET EILON’s 

principals keep the goal of building high standards 

equipment and steel very practical, easy to use at the most 

economical solution. After sale service and technical 

support, provided by our team of trained engineers, 

adds to our client’s peace of mind and confidence. 

Our peripherical solutions includes intelligent conveying 

systems, smartly operated with electronic eyes and 

loading motion sensors, which might help to save energy 

and avoid flow conflict on the items moving process. Our 

systems are being installed in the most advanced and 

demanding projects, such as military logistics facilities, 

food industry, pharmaceutical product management 

and most commonly packing houses for palletizing or 

cooling processes. 

Dorot 

Control 

Valves Ltd. 

www.dorot.com 

Founded in 1946, Dorot is a leading developer, 

manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of 

superior quality automatic control valves, air valves and 

mechanical valves. Dorot was a pioneer in developing 

hydraulic control valves and its series 300 valves became 

a leading product in waterworks control systems 

worldwide. 

Dorot is a leader in Automatic Control Valves for the 

Irrigation Market including: Drip Irrigation, Greenhouses, 

Turf and Landscape. 

Our innovative state of the art products are made of 

a variety of materials such as: Cast Iron, Ductile Iron, 

Steel, Stainless Steel, Bronze, Polyamide and uPVC. 

Dorot’s “GAL” valves became an industry standard. 

Genesis 

Seeds Ltd, 

www.genesisseeds.com 

Genesis Seeds Ltd, privately owned, is one of the world’s 

largest producers of Certified Organic Vegetable, Herb 

and Flower Seed Since 1994. The company is based 

in Israel (in the ‘High Negev’), where all research, and 

production takes place. All Genesis Seed products 

are grown only in Israel and the company operates 

according to ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001 endorsement 

of the Israeli Standards Institute. Genesis Seeds Sells 

it’s own production only to seed companies, wholesales 

and distributors in North America, West Europe, Israel 

and other countries world wide. In seeking the Best 

quality, we focus on Organic Production under strict 

agro–technical methods while always looking for the 

best Genetics. Innovating, Breeding and Keeping a full 

assortment of Flowers, Herbs and Vegetables in order to 

fulfill and serve the Organic and Conventional markets” 

37


Haifa- 

Teaspoon 

Feeding 

www.haifachem.com 


Hazera 

Genetics 

www.hazera.com 

HAIFA specializes in development, production and 

marketing of specialty fertilizers for advanced and highly 

efficient applications. By means of Nutrigation, Controlled 

Release Nutrition and Foliar Feeding, HAIFA products 

help growers to optimize plant nutrients application. The 

results are higher yields, better quality, lower production 

costs, and reduced environmental impact. 

HAIFA fertilizers teaspoon-feed your crops, providing plant 

nutrients at Precise timing and composition - to match 

plant growth needs 

Precise location - to enhance uptake efficiency 

Precise dosing - to avoid wastes and contamination 

All HAIFA products for Teaspoon Feeding of crops 

are free of chloride, sodium and any other detrimental 

elements. They are fully consumed by the plants, so they 

leave no harmful residues in the soil. Teaspoon-fed plants 

absorb HAIFA products rapidly and efficiently, for optimal 

development and best yields. 

Hishtil 

Hazera Genetics is committed to the success of growers 

and quality of life of consumers. These targets are 

met through the advanced properties of the company’s 

innovative hybrid varieties. 

For Hazera Genetics, agriculture is an advanced, rapidly 

developing and innovative science, yielding products that 

are carefully defined, designed and applied to meet the 

specific needs of its customers. 

Hazera Genetics is a leading global player in breeding, 

production and marketing of innovative hybrid seeds 

of vegetables and field crops. The company’s extensive 

experience, going back to 1939, is utilized to tailor product 

specifications that offer added value from the moment 

a seed is sown until the final product reaches the endcustomer. 

Hazera Genetics’ membership in the Vilmorin 

Group opens doors to a range of business opportunities 

by enabling R&D cooperation, enhancing our product 

portfolio and extending our global market reach. 

Mapal 

Plastics 

www.hishtil.com 

Established in 1974, Hishtil has become the largest 

producer of young plants in Israel. At present Hishtil 

owns and manages 5 production centers in Israel, which 

operate greenhouses on over 18 hectares. Hishtil develops 

and operates most advanced biological and mechanical 

nursery technologies. 

Hishtil’s Vision: To become a leading and innovative plant 

nursery, in Israel and worldwide 

Hishtil’s personnel of some 380 employees, produces over 

550 million plants annually. The main products are young 

plants of vegetables, various ornamentals, herbs and cut 

flowers; both for the local market and for the growing 

export markets. 

Hishtil’s international activities include joint ventures and 

partnerships in nurseries Turkey, Italy and Greece. Hishtil 

also provides know-how and production input packages 

to clients in Southern Europe, Central America and 

elsewhere. 

38 

www.mapalplastics.com 

Growing systems & technology for soil-less cultivation 

Mapal offers growing solutions for the indoors and 

outdoors; for all substrates, for all growing systems 

and different crops. We have been supplying troughs & 

drainage gutters to the soil-less cultivation community 

for over two decades with proven success and durability. 

Mapal’s systems provide unlimited root zone per plant 

with good air/water 

+ fertilizer need compensation, as well as a good humidity 

and aeration conditions around the plant area. 

Made of environmentally minded material, Mapal’s 

systems, above all, allow for re-using and re-cycling 

of water & nutrients that would otherwise be wasted, 

optimizing yields & costs. 

Mapal offers agronomist assistance for all your 

agricultural endeavors.



Pelemix 

Industries 

Tuff 

Substrates 

www.pelemix.com 

Pelemix factories are located in Israel, Sri Lanka, India, 

and Spain. 

The company specializes in the production of Cocopeat 

Substrates using new technologies mainly for 

professional growers and also for the Home and Garden 

hobbyist markets ( Mr. Cocor). 

Products include “Double Sieved Fine dust removed” 

coco growbags (regular and” Multi Drain), Growing Cubes 

for propagators, and other wide ranges of cocopeat 

products[like bales and bricks] in different grades, 

compression and sizes. 

All products are washed. “Treated and Buffered 

Cocopeat” is available in different grades and chemical 

structurse according to the client’s request. 

Pelemix specializes in the production and know how of a 

wide range of “Peat Moss & Cocopeat Mixtures”. 

An exclusive Agronomy Support Service is offered to all 

professional growers. 

Resht- 

O-Plast 

www.rop.co.il 

Flow-cast film is a non-oriented co-extruded 

Polypropylene film specifically designed to reduce the 

defect rate and increase yield on from fill and seal (FFS) 

packaging. The combination of uniquely formulated 

Polypropylene layers offers heat resistance and rigidity 

without compromising .the outstanding seal integrity of 

cast Polypropylene. 

New Line – coex BOPP films for Flow packing, top sealing 

or for packing trays. Available with microperforation, 

macroperforation and anti-fog properties. Thanks to 

production site in the Cezech republic, short delivery 

times and constant quality are guaranteed. 

Flow-cast enables processors to increase profits in two 

ways. First, it helps processors reduce losses caused by 

broken seals or tom packages both on the production 

floor and at the end user. Second, Flow-cast improves 

product presentation through high-clarity packaging 

that elevates the value of the product. 

www.tuff-substrates.com 

Tuff Substrates is a leader in this field, and its high quality 

products are an excellent alternative for soil. More and 

more growers are relying on Tuff Substrates, which 

enables them to be in control of PH, salinity, air-water 

ratio and mineral content required, and maximizing the 

full potential of their crops. 

Since its establishment in 1970, Tuff Substrates has 

been the primary developer, producer and marketer of 

innovative soil-less growing techniques. The company’s 

R&D division works with major research laboratories 

around the world, and successfully develops new 

methods for soil-less growing challenges. 

Tuff Substrates manufactures a wide range of superior 

products in Israel and Sri Lanka: Coconut based 

substrates, professional potting soil for nurseries and 

gardening, tuff soil and decorative surfacing products 

for gardens. 

Totza’a – 

Business Innovation 

and Development 

Ltd. (1995) 

The company is based on knowledge and contacts, 

while continually pursuing an in-depth understanding 

and awareness of the market situation in the fields of 

food and agriculture. Operations are routinely assisted 

by supporting factors, such as: know-how, information, 

business intelligence, advertising and tools that promote 

business development and marketing. The company has 

an additional area of unique expertise in its marketing 

activities and strategies within the religious sectors. 

The company excels in bio-technological seeds with a 

potential client in France (potatoes) and a new client in 

the field of carrots (seeds). 

The staff is aware of the professional level and intensive 

amount of activity that are required and obligating, 

including press conferences and the constant follow-up 

of all operations. 

39

E-mail:nurit-l@zahav.net.il

We combined technology and the expertise of agronomic 

know-how to provide a complete solution. 

Consultation for turn-key projects 

Solutions for project financing 

Solutions for project management 

Solutions for produce marketing 

Manufacture of Greenhouses and Integral, Complementary systems 

Guided tours to our demonstration farm and working projects in Israel including an 

exhibition of advanced growing systems 

www.top.pro

innovation 

in Fertigation & Foliar Nutrition 

www.Image2u.co.il 

Peak ® Mono potassium phosphate, fully soluble P and K, 

low salt index (MKP, 52% P 2 

O 5 

, 34% K 2 

O). 

PeKacid Highly acidic fertilizer (pH 2.2), fully soluble P 

and K. Anticlogging action and acidifying power 

(60% P 2 

O 5 

, 20% K 2 

O). 

HiPeaK Highly concentrated, monocrystal fully soluble P 

and K (45% P 2 

O 5 

, 45% K 2 

O). 

NovaNPK Fully soluble NPK's, available in a balanced 

range of NPK ratios, with micronutrients. 

Ferti-K Potassium chloride, fully soluble white KCl for 

fertigation. Certified for organic agriculture (KCl, 61% K 2 

O). 

quicK-Mg Natural, fully soluble potassium-magnesium 

chloride (15% K 2 

O, 13% MgO). 

MagPhos Slightly acidic fertilizer, fully soluble P and K 

with magnesium (55% P 2 

O 5 

, 19% K 2 

O, 8% MgO). 

NovaMAP Mono ammonium phosphate, fully soluble N 

and P (MAP, 12% N, 61% P 2 

O 5 

). 

NutriVant Fully soluble NPK’s with long-lasting 

penetration technology for improved foliar nutrition. With 

micronutrients, crop-specific formulae. 

NovaAcidNPK Fully soluble acidic NPK’s. 

Anticlogging action and acidifying power. Available in a 

balanced range of NPK ratios. 

Product of Rotem Amfert Negev 

all from a single source 

ICL Specialty Fertilizers 

Tel: +972-8-6465731 l Fax: +972-8-6465811 l iclsf@iclfertilizers.com l www.iclfertilizers.com

List of The Advertising Companies 


Adirom 

Heating & 

Ventilation 

Engineering 

Agam 

Advanced 

Agronomy 

Bermad 

17 Khozot Haiozer St., South Industrial Zone, 

P.O.B. 753 

Ashkelon, 78150 Israel 

Tel: 972-8-6719780, Fax: 972-8-6719781 

efridman@adirom.co.il www.adirom.co.il 

Climate control equipment for greenhouses 

P.O.Box 1579, Zicron Yaakov, 30900, ISRAEL 

Cell: 972-52-4085566. Tel/Fax: 972-4-6398129 

shaymt@bezeqint.net www.agam-ag.com 

The company offers advanced GIS and remote sensing 

capabilities 

Kibbutz Evron 22808 

Tel: 972-4-9855311 Fax: 972-4-9855356 

info@bermad.com www.bermad.com 

Water Control Solutions 

Eshet Eilon 

Industries 

(2003) Ltd. 

Kibbutz Eilon, Mobile Post Western Galilee, 22845 Israel 

Tel: 972-4-9807555 Fax: 972-4-9807150 

info@eshet.co.il www.eshet.co.il 

specializing in the production of packinghouse equipment 

for fruit, vegetables and fish. 

Genesis 

Seeds Ltd. 

10 Plaut st. Weizman Since Park Rehovot 76122 Israel 

Tel: 972-8-9318966 Fax: 972-8-9318967 

michala@genesisseeds.co.il www.genesisseeds.com 

Israeli producers & breeder of cerified organic vegetables, 

herbs and flowers seeds. 

Dorot 

Management 

Control 

Valves Ltd 

Kibbutz Dorot, Mobile Post Hof Ashkelon 79175 Israel 

Tel: 972-8-6808848 

info@dorot.com www.dorot.com 

43



Gavish 

Control 

Systems 

Givat Brenner, 60948, Israel 

Tel: 972-8-9443961 Fax: 972-8-9443357 

info@gavish.org.il www.gavish.org.il 

Development and production of quality control systems for 

dairy farms (Dairyline), greenhouses (Greenline, Climate and 

Fertigation Control Systems) and fish farms (Aqualine). 

Haifa 

Chemicals 

Ltd. 

hishtil 

P.O.Box 10809, Haifa Bay 26120, Israel 

Tel: +972-4-8469616 

Fax: +972-4-8499953 

specialty@haifachem.com www.haifachem.com 

Supplier of potassium nitrate,an essential fertilizer for 

modern intensive agricultture. 

Moshav Nehalim 49950 Israel 

Tel. ++972-3-9373140 Fax. ++972-39373150 

gadi@hishtil.com www.hishtil.com 

Young vegetable plants, bedding plants, herbs and 

perennials. Nursery know-how packages 

Hazera 

Genetics 

Ltd. 

ICL 

Fertilizers 

Head Office: Berurim M.P. Shikmim 79837, Israel 

Tel: 972-8-8508815 

hag@hazera.com www.hazera.com 

Millenium Tower, 23 Aranha St., Tel-Aviv 61070, Israel 

P.O.Box 20245, Tel-Aviv 61202, Israel 

Tel: 972-3-684-4400 Fax: + 972-3-684-4444 

investors@icl-group.com www.iclfertilizers.com 

Mapal 

Plastics 

Mevo Hamma,12934 Israel 

Tel: 972-4-6764784/555 Mobile:+972-52-8695355 

rubzvi@mapalplastics.com sandra@mapalplastics.com 

www.mapalplastics.com/agr.html 

MAPAL supplies growing containers and drainage gutters 

for all kinds of substrates and all cultivations, enabling 

the growers to collect, re-use and/or recycle the drainage 

water & nutrients. 

44



Merzerplas 

Kibbutz Metzer M.P. Hefer 38820 Israel 

Tel. 972-4-6387001 Fax. 972-4-6385385 

info@metzerplas.com www.metzerplas.com 

Micro-irrigation products, various types of pipelines and 

irrigation projects 

Pelemix 

Industries 

P.O,B. 319, Ashkelon, Israel 78102 

Tel: 972-8-6727290, Fax: 972-8-6727291 

pelemix@zahav.net.il www.pelemix.com 

Cocopeat substrates for professional growers, substrate 

systems, potting soil mixtures. Home & garden line. 

Resht- 

O-Plast 

Kibbutz Hahotrim 30870 M.P. Hof Hacarmel. Israel 

Tel: 972-4-8302406, Fax: 972-4 8302716 

info@rop.co.il www.rop.co.il 

polypropilen film & bags for packaging 

Tuff 

Merom 

Golan 

Kibbutz Merom Golan 12436 Israel 

Tel: 972-4-6960191/2, Fax: 972-4-6960236 

shay_f@tuff.co.il www.tuff.co.il 

Coco peat substrate, ready mixtures, peat moss p.p beds 

TOTZAAH 

Agriculture and 

Industry (1995) 

Yapro Ltd. 

5 Duchifat st. Kfar-Saba, 44284 ISRAEL 

Tel:972-9-767627 Fax:972-9-7676278 

Mobile:972-50-5238227 

tozza@netvision.net.il 

Agriculture, Industry and Trade Strategic Marketing and 

Innovation in the Fields of Food 

House 142 Kfar Harif 79830 Israel 

Tel: 972-772100148, 972-54-7916342 

info@yapro.co.il www.yapro.co.il 

Yapro specializes and are recognized for its high quality 

“New Season” Potatoes with an honest open communication 

backed- up with our reliable consistent service 

45

Coconut based 

Substrates 

Vegetables GrowBag 

Flowers GrowBag 

Strawberry GrowBag 

Complementary Products 

Creating Roots of Success 

Tuff Substrates is a leader in this field, and its high quality products 

are an excellent alternative for soil. More and more growers are 

relying on Tuff Substrates, which enables them to be in control 

of PH, salinity, air-water ratio and mineral content required, and 

maximizing the potential of their crops. 

Tuff Substrates manufactures a wide range of superior products 

in Israel and Sri Lanka: Coconut based substrates, professional 

potting soil for nurseries and gardening, tuff soil and decorative 

surfacing products for gardens. The company's excellence in 

developing innovative products and its deep understanding of 

customers' needs, position. 

Distributors needed, please contact us for more information: 

Tuff Marom Golan (2000) LTD. 

Kibbutz Marom Golan - 12436 Israel. 

Tel: +972-4-6960191-2 Fax: +972-4-6960191-2 

Mobile: +972-547-996026 

Tal_f@tuff.co.il 

www.tuff-substrates.com

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