The technology trial at a rose greenhouse in Ecuador

Added on 17 April 2022

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The technology trial at a rose greenhouse in Ecuador

TORONTO- Toronto based CO2 GRO Inc. ("GROW" or the "Company") (TSXV:GROW, OTCQB:BLONF, Frankfurt: 4021) is pleased to announce a Technology Trial ("trial") for a CO2 Delivery Solutions system at an Ecuador based rose greenhouse. The owner wished to remain unnamed without facility details announced.

The trial will be conducted for up to one year, assessing CO2 Delivery Solutions economic benefits including faster plant growth, greater rose bud production, improved plant health and suppression of micro-pathogens particularly powdery mildew. According to studies conducted by Enoch et al., 1970; Hanan, 1973; Mortensen and Moe, 1983 on atmospheric CO₂ enrichment in rose greenhouses, increased yields of 16% to 60% over those grown in a non-enriched atmosphere were observed.

The Ecuador Flower Market

The Republic of Ecuador is located in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia to the Northeast, Peru to the East and South and the Pacific Ocean to the West. Ecuador is the world's third largest flower exporter at 9% of the global market after the Netherlands and Colombia, according to Eagle-link Flowers. Nearly all (over 98%) of Ecuador's flower production is exported.

Ecuadorian flowers grown for export markets are considered amongst the best in the world for their aroma, texture, quality and unmatched beauty. Ecuador growers are noted for the development and continuous use of sustainable practices aimed at reducing the use of chemicals and proper crop management which are in line with ecological agriculture practices (BIDFOMIN-Expoflores Associativity program).

Atmospheric CO₂ enrichment (gassing) to enhance rose production is not widely used in Ecuador due to year-round heat venting and relatively low-tech greenhouses and other protected grow facilities. CO2 GRO's CO2 Delivery Solutions is a viable alternative for Ecuadorian rose growers to enrich their plants with CO₂ despite low-tech facilities and venting, in order to achieve increased yields, plant quality, revenue and profits.

According to Aaron Archibald, VP Sales and Strategic Alliances, "With two rose trials underway in Colombia, we attracted further interest from a rose grower in neighboring Ecuador to assess our technology's benefits. Unsolicited inquiries from growers have been increasing as we continue to market CO2 Delivery Solutions_.We look forward to successfully executing these rose trials in the region over the coming year and graduating them to Commercial Technology Purchases."