SABI Magazine | Page 48

Greenhouses & Technologies CPUT’s new greenhouses Go high-tech By Candes Keating, CPUT Photos courtesy CPUT A dvanced automatic heating and cooling systems, sterile foot baths and automatic solar screens are just some of the impressive features of CPUT’s (Cape Peninsular University of Technology) six new greenhouses. Constructed at the nursery premises on the Bellville Campus, the greenhouses are a welcome addition to the department, which is the only one in the Western Cape institution offering a course that focuses specifically on ornamental horticulture The high-tech greenhouses opened for business in 2016 when students of the Department of Horticultural Sciences started their academic year. Head of programme, Dr Chris Daniels says the greenhouses will play a central role in practical teaching and learning activities and serve as the department’s laboratories. State-of-the-art “These are state of the art, world class facilities and all systems are on par with national and industry requirements” he says. The greenhouses have automatic heating and cooling systems, rain water harvesting systems, artificial lighting systems, automatic solar screens, propagation systems and sterile foot baths. ADVANCING RESEARCH: Head of programme, Dr Chris Daniels takes a look at some plants in one of the new greenhou Each greenhouse came at a price tag of just over R700 000 with the biggest greenhouse measuring well over 270 square meters. Daniels says each of the greenhouses have a specific function, with two dedicated for research, while the other four are being utilised by undergraduate students for various propagation and cultivation processes. Micro irrigation sprinklers O KE South Africa is one of the country’s leading specialists in custom plastic and silicone extrusions, and injection moulding. Making use of a wide variety of materials and cutting-edge technology, they are often the first choice for the automotive, agriculture and healthcare industries. OKE Water Solutions lets you make the most of your water resources. Their micro irrigation sprinklers are perfect for all areas of the agricultural sector – and when OKE Micro Irrigation Products 46 SABI | JUNE/JULY 2016 combined with their tough, durable and UV-resistant pipes, provide the answer to all your irrigation needs. Find out more about the Viking and Rain-X Sprinkler range by contacting OKE on [email protected] or 021 551 2464.