Modern Silviculture Symposium - Silviculture 4.0 (Day 1 - Nurseries)

The Modern Silviculture event has been hosted as a webinar (virtually) by Nelson Mandela University since 2020. The focus has always been to encourage knowledge sharing about modern silviculture technologies in nurseries and silviculture operations. For the first time, the Nelson Mandela University (Forestry Department) in collaboration with Ellepot hosted the first modern silviculture symposium physically to encourage interaction, and networking around this important topic. The theme was titled Silviculture 4.0 “Smart technology from nursery to field”. The event took place in the picturesque town of Howick, located in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa from 15th to 17th October 2024. About 200 delegates predominantly from South Africa and other countries like, Eswatini, Kenya, Tanzania, Brazil, Uruguay, New Zealand, and Finland attended the symposium both physically. The first day of the symposium focused on nurseries.

Mr Alex Freitas from Suzano presented on the company’s substantial investments in forestry, soil management, and plant nutrition, as well as the obstacles encountered in Brazil, such as adverse climate conditions and soil degradation. He highlighted challenges faced by Suzano which include obtaining genetic materials, adapting climate models, and utilizing high-tech tools. He also mentioned social challenges concerning a limited workforce due to a declining growing population, which affects operational efficiency. Additionally, he mentioned that climate challenges have necessitated the irrigation of seedlings. He further looked at the opportunities presented by integrating research and development with operational strategies in forest management to reduce costs while maintaining high productivity.

Mr. Waynand De Swardt from Sappi presented on the “Building smart nurseries for a changing environment”. His presentation initially looked at the approach to modernizing nursery operations with a focus on financial health, operational excellence, trust enhancement, and business growth. He touched on the key objectives which include maximizing seed use efficiency and the deployment of cuttings while improving safety and reducing costs. He also presented challenges such as global warming, pest management, and aging infrastructure thus the need for lean manufacturing principles to optimize nursery processes. He explained the lean action plan and touched on Sappi’s approach to improve rooting efficiency and reduce costs through improved environmental control measures, better hygiene practices, and ergonomic improvements.

Mr Geert Maris from TTA presented on "Young Plants for Tomorrow's Forests: Innovations in Automation,". His presentation touched on current challenges in forestry, which include a decline in seed quality, rising labor costs, and a general labor shortage. He briefly looked at two key platforms introduced to address these issues, 1. The Flex Sorter platform which enhances transplanting efficiency, mitigates the impact of poor seed quality, reduces heating and cleaning costs, and incorporates an extra grading step, and 2. The cutting-edge platform which features an AI vision system and a six-axis robot arm, optimizing handling with an infeed and destination belt for improved automation in plant transportation.

Mr Bruno Reis from Suzano started his presentation by highlighting Suzano's mission to harness trees for sustainability through a concept called "Inovability." Through this initiative, Suzano focuses on developing renewable alternatives derived from trees, such as pulp, bio-oil, lignin, and microfibrillated cellulose, with the broader goal of transforming the planet into a more sustainable place.

A key focus of the presentation was the management of the seedling supply chain, which involves a combination of own, partnered, and purchased seedlings. The company aims to increase operational efficiency and reduce the geographic radius of its supply chain while maintaining seedling standardization and quality. However, there are prevalent challenges from managing a broad genetic portfolio exacerbated by the impact of climate-related factors, such as temperature, light, and soil conditions, on seedling growth, health, and nutrient consumption.

Suzano is also advancing its mechanized planting operations, emphasizing the use of smaller seedlings (15–25 cm) for greater planting efficiency, while larger seedlings (36 cm and above) are typically rejected. In its drive towards modernization, Suzano is investing in high-tech clonal nurseries, incorporating automation technologies such as robotic systems for transport, automated processes, and full traceability using RFID tagging, humidity sensors, and electroconductivity monitoring. Suzano envisions fully automated, high-tech nurseries that will enhance their genetic performance evaluations and ensure superior seedling quality. Through these innovations, Suzano is preparing to meet the future challenges of sustainable forestry while reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence and environmental stewardship.

Mr Joep Hendricks from ISO Group presented on “Automation in Forestry Nurseries: Can You Afford to Stay Behind?”. He spoke about the company’s innovations in automating manual processes in global industries, including food, flowers, and forestry. With over 1,000 machines in operation and handling 7 billion plants annually, ISO Group specializes in automating processes such as cutting, planting, grafting, grading, and harvesting. Their patented technologies aim to optimize breeding, propagation, and cultivation by enhancing precision and uniformity in nursery production.

Key technologies highlighted include automated cutting and planting systems that ensure consistent and uniform planting, centered depth, and a high degree of accuracy based on grower specifications. The use of vision technology and 3D modeling allows for precise grading and sorting, ensuring uniformity throughout the plant growth stages.

Key takeaways from the presentation include that automation is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and a combination of biology and technology is needed to maximize benefits. Robots should be seen as part of a larger system, requiring alignment of logistics, quality, and timing. Hendricks also advised keeping an open mind to alternative processes, accepting less-than-perfect success rates, and regularly validating the economics of automation investments.

Mr. Darcy Werneck & Mr. Darran Stone from Ellepot, presented key innovations that have contributed to sustainable growth in forestry nurseries over the past 20 years. They mentioned that Ellepot’s integrated propagation system, consisting of machines, paper, trays, and services, has a global reach in over 35 countries, improving nursery operations through increased efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Key technological innovations include their air-pruning technology, which reduces propagation time by 15% and allows more efficient use of resources like water and fertilizer. Ellepot’s system also uses 25% less volume, enhancing plant density in nurseries and lowering transport and transplant costs. By replacing plastic containers with biodegradable paper, the technology reduces the environmental footprint, saving 5-7% in losses annually and appealing to sustainability-conscious markets.

Additionally, the presenters indicated that Ellepot's technology speeds up transplanting by 40%, reducing labor hours by two hours per hectare and increasing field survival rates by 20-30%, particularly in marginal planting sites. The paper pots used in the system also minimize transplant shock, leading to a 40% reduction in logistical costs. Ellepot's disruptive innovations in air circulation and drainage within trays enhance root development and improve field establishment.

Ellepot aims to continue in sustainable nursery technologies in the future, growing smarter by integrating lessons from the past with future innovations in nursery systems and paper-based solutions.

Dr Sascha Pay presented about the Seedling Growers Association of South Africa (SGASA) which focuses on nursery certification. According to Dr Pay the certification process is designed to ensure compliance with Good Nursery Practice, adding value to nursery systems and improving plant quality. The key benefits of SGASA certification include increased confidence for buyers, operational efficiency for nurseries, and support for audits such as Global Gap. The certification is backed by ISO9001:2015 standards, aiming to standardize and improve processes, enhance customer satisfaction, and boost credibility.

The accreditation system evaluates nurseries across 22 sections, including water, planting media, containers, plant quality, and pest/disease management. Nurseries must achieve a score of at least 80%, with a minimum of 85% in the plant quality section to obtain certification. The system also covers specific guidelines for water chemistry, seed traceability, hygiene practices, and plant quality measurements like root development and pest control. Pathology management is critical, particularly for diseases such as Fusarium and Phytophthora, with nurseries expected to have knowledge of these diseases and implement appropriate control measures.

SGASA encourages non-certified nurseries to seek certification, as it adds value both internally and to the broader industry. Regular audits by independent, qualified auditors ensures continuous improvement and compliance with high standards.

Mr Ullrich Hechter gave two presentations focused on innovative nursery strategies and planting techniques aimed at improving plant quality and operational efficiency in forestry. The first presentation explored the viability of cutting back over-spec plants as a mitigation measure in nurseries. The research aimed to determine whether cutting back these plants could make them viable for use, with a focus on both seedlings and clones. Early results showed no significant differences in tree height, diameter, or survival rates between cut-back and in-spec plants, suggesting that cutting back is a viable option. These findings were consistent for both eucalypt clones and seedlings, with Eucalyptus dunnii performing slightly better at the trial site. Despite these encouraging results, Mr Hechter noted that longer-term trials and results at canopy closure would provide a more definitive assessment of this technique.

His second presentation was on the performance of paper pots versus plastic inserts for Eucalyptus clones and seedlings on a poor site at Dumbe. This study aimed to assess the robustness and survival of plants using semi-mechanized "single-pass planting," with the ultimate goal of achieving full mechanization in the future. The research compared the growth and survival of plants in paper pots to those in Unigro 128 plastic inserts, with and without controlled-release fertilizer (CRF). Early results indicated that paper pots outperformed plastic inserts in terms of root plug consolidation, moisture retention, and the presence of active white roots, which contributed to better survival and growth. The three-month results showed that paper pot plants demonstrated significantly higher growth rates and survival, promoting the potential for efficient "single-pass planting." Twelve-month results confirmed improved growth and uniformity for seedlings, although the differences for clones were not statistically significant. The addition of CRF positively impacted early growth in seedlings but not in clones. Mr Hechter concluded that paper pots offer a promising solution for improving the robustness of plants in mechanized planting systems, though continued trials and long-term monitoring will be necessary to validate these findings fully.

Mr Shaun Biggs’ presented on "Irrigation Management for Forestry Nurseries" at Ellepot. He started his presentation on optimizing irrigation practices to meet the specific needs of different forestry crops. He emphasized the importance of understanding species requirements, growth stages, evapotranspiration rates, and root system health when managing irrigation. Mr Biggs also highlighted the role of moisture availability, discussing the physical properties of substrates such as air-filled porosity (AFP), water-holding capacity (WHC), and drainage, all of which impact crop health and sustainability. Mr Biggs emphasized the significance of water quality, particularly pH and electrical conductivity (EC), in irrigation system design. He discussed the importance of system design for fit-for-purpose applications, fertigation, and maintenance. He reiterated that monitoring moisture levels is a crucial aspect of irrigation management, with considerations for accuracy, cost, and management, including the use of AI tools. Mr Biggs concluded by stressing the importance of allowing roots to dictate irrigation needs, noting that increased wet/dry cycles promote better root development and balance the air/water ratio for healthier plants.

Mr Craig Ford presented on "Pine Propagation in New Zealand and the Drive Towards Ellepots,". He provided an extensive overview of the forestry landscape in New Zealand. The presentation emphasized the potential of containerized stock as a solution to current challenges, providing year-round job security and the ability to extend the planting season. Recent research on containerized stock focuses on mechanization and automation to enhance production efficiency, with promising results from trials using paper pots and mini hedge cutting systems for propagation. The data indicated that containerized P. radiata could be successfully established in the field, with trials demonstrating improved survival and growth rates compared to traditional methods. Concluding, the presenter argued that while bareroot production remains foundational to New Zealand forestry, increasing pressures necessitate an exploration of containerized alternatives, with the Ellepot system standing out for its advantages in addressing current challenges.