The leading Dutch biocontrol company, Koppert Biological Systems, has been awarded third place in this international award for its ‘beevision’ innovation. The fresh produce industry’s most coveted award was presented at the Fruit Logistica Fair in Berlin on Friday, 10 Febuary.
More than 70,000 trade visitors from 130 countries had the opportunity to cast their votes for the most ‘outstanding innovation’ during the Fruit Logistica Fair held on 8 and 9 February. A panel of experts from all levels of the fresh produce trade selected the ten nominees from over 60 submissions. The winner of the award was Rijk Zwaan, who won the award for Knox™, a trait which reduces pinking in lettuce after cutting.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the company’s Product Manager Pollination, Remco Huvermann, said the discovery that bumblebees saw differently to humans enabled Koppert’s R&D department to develop ‘Beevision’ – colour cues that conform to the bumblebees own visual spectrum. He said the strategically placed cues optimized the visibility of the hive and led to improved pollination results.
Koppert’s R&D Department has spent the last 26 years developing its commercial hives. The company is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary in biocontrol activities in horticulture and agriculture.