Johan Prinsén is a cucumber and tomato farm located in Närpiö, Finland, operating with a philosophy of maximum efficiency and meticulous care. The farm gained attention in early 2025 for setting a world record in cucumber production, measured in kilograms per square meter. According to HortiDaily, the average yield in the Netherlands is 70.52 kg/m², while Oy Johan Prinsén Ab achieved an astonishing 244 kg/m² in 2024.

Can the record still be improved? This interview explores what has happened at the farm during the 2025 growing season.

Johan Prinsén Ab – Three Generations of Vegetable Farming

Located in Piolahti, Närpiö, the Johan Prinsén farm has been growing vegetables for over three decades. The company has been actively involved in the Närpiön Vihannes growers’ cooperative since its founding, and all products are sold through the cooperative.

In addition to father Johan, the farm is run by his two sons. Jesper Prinsén shares insights into the current state of the farm:

“We currently grow cucumbers in three different greenhouses,” Jesper explains. “The largest one was built in 2015 and is 1.08 hectares in size. The smaller ones were built in 2006 and 2023, with sizes of 0.28 and 0.72 hectares respectively. All three greenhouses operate year-round, though they have slightly different lighting setups,” Jesper adds.

Lighting Technology Supporting Year-Round Cultivation

Lighting plays a crucial role in year-round cultivation. Johan Prinsén uses energy-efficient LED lights, while the smaller greenhouses still utilize hybrid lighting—both traditional HPS lamps and LEDs. In January 2025, the largest greenhouse (1.08 ha) transitioned fully to LED lighting.

“We replace the cucumber crops three times a year in all greenhouses, but never all at once. It’s important for us to maintain continuous product delivery to our customers,” Jesper emphasizes.

Benefits of Nanobubbles Observed at the Farm

The farm has always aimed to evolve and improve its cultivation practices, relying on top-tier partners. The Nanoboost system was installed in August 2024.

“We learned about EOD’s Nanoboost system through Schetelig, with whom we’ve had a close partnership for years. We wanted to invest in Nanoboost because we believe—and have now seen firsthand—that oxygen-rich water promotes plant health,” Jesper explains. “Our collaboration with Schetelig and EOD has been smooth, and we haven’t encountered any major issues with the device.”

“We wanted to invest in Nanoboost because we believe—and have now seen firsthand—that oxygen-rich water promotes plant health.” – Jesper Prinsén

During the winter of 2024–2025, the farm experienced some Pythium disease, but according to Jesper, the issues were relatively minor. They believe this was due to the more oxygen-rich water. The crops have been healthier, and yields have been increasing in recent years. Final figures for 2025 are not yet available.

“We haven’t done detailed calculations on savings or the impact of nanobubbles. But since the yield per square meter has increased after implementing Nanoboost, profitability is likely to improve as well,” Jesper estimates.

Step-by-Step Cultivation Development

To keep changes manageable and effects clear, the farm avoids implementing multiple changes at once. Prinsén follows a one-step-at-a-time approach.

“In the newest 0.72-hectare greenhouse, we’ve made only one change in the past year—the introduction of the Nanoboost system. We believe it’s important to proceed one change at a time to better observe the effects,” Jesper says. “We’re willing to wait for results,” he emphasizes.

Last summer’s challenging weather conditions also affected the Prinsén greenhouses.

“During the heatwave, some cucumber plants died, and we experienced a slight dip in yield. However, it wasn’t a disaster,” Jesper notes. He believes oxygen-rich water helped the plants better withstand the heat.

“Only one change was made in the greenhouse this past year—the introduction of the Nanoboost system. We believe it’s important to proceed one change at a time to better observe the effects.” – Johan Prinsén

Toward Even Better Yields

“We feel that Nanoboost helps us achieve even better yields through improved plant health,” Jesper concludes.

Text and photos: Eija Lankinen and EOD archive

With the Finnish EOD’s oxygen nanobubble solution, irrigation water gains properties that promote plant well-being. The solution strengthens plants’ natural defenses and reduces the need for pesticides—protecting soil and waterways from unnecessary chemical loads. At the same time, profitability improves as yield and quality increase significantly.

Tyrvännön Marja ja Vihannes Oy is a company founded in 1995, currently cultivating strawberries and raspberries on approximately 8 hectares in tunnels at their home farm and in Lepaa. The cultivation operations are managed by founder Jussipekka Markkanen and his daughter Eeva, while the main owner Eino Markkanen handles leadership, sales, and marketing. The company discontinued open-field strawberry cultivation in 2022, and vegetables are no longer part of the production.

Tyrvännön Marja ja Vihannes was among the first companies in Finland to start tunnel cultivation of raspberries. Their goal is to operate efficiently and maximize the use of every square meter, which has led them to invest in solutions that enhance productivity.

The company can be considered a pioneer in many respects. Jussipekka, Eino, and Eeva regularly attend horticultural events across Europe and actively follow the latest industry news.

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Why Did They Become Interested in Nanobubble Water?

– While visiting exhibitions in Europe, we came across nanobubbles and their effects on irrigation water, says Jussipekka. He has also read related news in publications like HortiDaily and followed the success of other companies using nanobubbles with great interest. – We were particularly interested in the technology because we wanted to improve the quality of our irrigation water. At our home farm, the water is sourced from a man-made reservoir, and its oxygen level has been as low as 2–3 mg/l, while the target is at least 11 mg/l. We made this investment with the goal of significantly reducing the risks caused by plant diseases, Jussipekka

A Successful Investment

Founder Jussipekka Markkanen is pleased with the growth results achieved using oxygen nanobubble water.

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Effects on Plant Wellbeing and Yield

One of the most notable observations during the growing season was the significant reduction in leaf edge burn. – Leaf edge burn, caused by calcium deficiency, is typical for our most cultivated strawberry variety, Favori. This year, its occurrence was much lower, which was also evident in the plant analyses we conduct every other week during the season. When the root system is healthy, calcium transport improves, Jussipekka describes.

Another nutrient-related observation was that certain micronutrient supplements were unusually unnecessary this year.

Despite varying weather conditions, plant diseases remained under control throughout the season. For example, powdery mildew appeared only at the very end of the season, and no root diseases were observed in strawberries.

– In raspberries, some root disease caused by Phytophthora was detected, but this was due to the plant material. Even then, the situation was not entirely lost – perhaps nanobubbles helped there too, Jussipekka reflects.

It was also observed that the average size and yield of strawberries were higher. – We always calculate our investments carefully, and even a 2% increase in yield is enough to cover the cost of the nanobubble device. Based on the first summer’s experience, we can say the investment was successful, Jussipekka states.

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Things to Consider for Those Thinking About Investing in Nanobubbles

Tyrvännön Marja ja Vihannes chose a domestic supplier for their nanobubble device. – “It was important for us that the equipment is easy to maintain and that we can get service support from Finland if needed. I also recommend adding a DO sensor to the system, which allows for more precise control of oxygen levels in the intermediate tank,” says Jussipekka.

It’s good to remember that while oxygen enrichment in irrigation water has shown positive results, it cannot fix fundamental cultivation errors. Cultivation skills cannot be emphasized enough. Nanobubbles can improve existing conditions, but if other aspects are not in order, they cannot magically make things better. – If the farm’s cultivation techniques are otherwise solid, oxygen fertilization can further enhance production efficiency, Jussipekka concludes.

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Text and photos: Eija Lankinen

With the Finnish EOD oxygen nanobubble solution, irrigation water gains properties that promote plant wellbeing. The solution strengthens plants’ natural defenses and reduces the need for pesticides – protecting soil and waterways from unnecessary chemical loads. At the same time, cultivation profitability improves as yield and quality increase significantly.

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How can this powerful innovation enhance plant growth and productivity? EOD’s oxygen nanobubble solution delivers more oxygen to plants, creating optimal growing conditions – resulting in healthier crops and higher yields!

In this video, you’ll hear farmers’ experiences, expert insights from researchers, and key details from technology developers on how oxygen nanobubbles are transforming plant production. The technology has been validated within the EIP AGRI project, demonstrating its wide-ranging benefits.

Watch the video to discover how oxygen nanobubbles can take your farming to the next level!

Agriculture and Forestry Newspaper reports in an extensive article on the need for new technological and digital solutions in agricultural primary production and business operations to secure competitiveness. The functionality and applicability of the technology developed during the EIP research project “Enhancing and Securing the Primary Production of Agriculture with the Help of New Nanobubble Technology” have been studied in practice with the primary production companies involved in the project, demonstrating the benefits offered by the technology to farmers.

High expectations for nanobubble technology in agriculture (hortidaily.com)

Primary agricultural production and entrepreneurship require new technological and digital solutions to remain competitive. The project group of the ongoing EIP (European Innovation Partnership) project “Improving and Securing Primary Agricultural Production with the Help of New Nanobubble Technology” includes Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, EOD Oy, Robbes Lilla Trädgård Ab, Agrifutura Tomaatit Oy, and Nonre Oy. This three-year project will continue until the end of 2024.

The project aims to develop a technology for producing nano-sized gas bubbles in irrigation water and to conduct practical experiments to study the functionality and suitability of the technology at three different primary production sites involved in the EIP innovation group. It also examines the impact of nanobubbles on the microbiology of irrigation water systems. This chemical-free technology supports food producers in the green transition from farm to fork by reducing chemical loads and minimizing the carbon footprint. Additionally, it aims to improve hygiene and product shelf life.

The oxygen content of irrigation water reaching the roots significantly impacts plant well-being, enhancing immunity, nutrient absorption capacity, yield, and growth rate. By producing oxygen in water in the form of nanobubbles, plant growth and productivity can be significantly improved, potentially increasing yields by tens of percent. This project will create a system that has not yet been used to enhance plant or berry growth. During the project, theory will be put into practice.

Timo Kantola, founder of EOD Oy, which develops and markets irrigation equipment utilizing nanobubble technology, mentions that the company’s goal is to make the world a little better while ensuring that the end user of their product earns more money than before.

“Validation is needed to develop and improve the technology application, and it is easier to achieve commercial success with the help of partners,” Kantola says. He adds that as harmful chemicals are phased out, new and better solutions are needed. EOD’s application aims to help in this regard. “We focus on balancing the conditions of plants with oxygen and nanobubbles, reducing the need for pesticide use in advance. Through the project, we aim to optimize our equipment’s operation, improve its reliability, and address the issues of the initial version.”

Utilizing Nanobubble Technology in Plant Cultivation

Martti Latva, Head of Research Centre Wander at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, says that Wander conducts versatile water-related research. Formerly known as the Water Institute, Wander is involved in both basic and applied research for the project.

“Nanobubbles are a new discovery,  and producing them represents a new technology being developed worldwide. While nanobubbles can be produced with different technologies, the hydrodynamic cavitation used by EOD Oy is currently the most efficient. Our research centre aims to understand the opportunities offered by nanobubble technology and provide scientific evidence.”

“This is a complex issue involving how a plant uses water, nutrients, micronutrients, and oxygen, and these issues are often plant-specific. Research collaboration, such as with Elina Järvinen for tunnel strawberries, is part of our work, and we also involve tomato and lettuce production sites.”

One challenge is making the benefits of nanobubble technology measurable, such as determining how much fertilizer can be reduced and how much more can be harvested. So far, the focus has been on the added value of nanobubble technology, without addressing fertilization practices. Investigating plant health issues also presents challenges.

“There are clear indications of the benefits of nanobubble technology, but we do not yet know how to measure and utilize them fully. The project will provide a good start, but we won’t cover the entire topic by the end of the year. Plant health is especially complex. We assume that increased oxygen may make plants more resistant, but we don’t fully understand the mechanism yet.” Latva notes that plant well-being is influenced by many factors, such as weather conditions and location, making ongoing research difficult.

“Carbon dioxide enters the plant through the air, but oxygen enters through the root system. Therefore, irrigation water must contain oxygen for it to benefit the plant.” Kantola strongly believes in the importance of balance. “We have reached over a dozen commercial customers since the project started. We’ve encountered gardens with serious pythium problems that were quickly resolved by increasing the oxygen content of the irrigation water using our technology.”

This achievement is significant considering the European market for pesticides and fungicides, valued at around EUR 28 billion annually.  “If the EU aims to halve the current chemical load, we are talking about a huge change, and we are looking to play our part.”

Nanobubble Technology in Practice

Elina Järvinen, an agrologist and hortonomist responsible for the cultivation at Nonre Oy’s Kitsböle home farm, oversees plant care, fertilization, monitoring, and biological control. Her task in this project is to report on the strawberry test rows in the tunnels.

“If a plant’s root system has enough oxygen available, the overall appearance of the plant is completely different from that of a plant growing in low-oxygen conditions.”

“Insufficient oxygen in the substrate affects the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and cope with stressful situations, such as heat. A healthy root system and nutrient flow immediately impact crop and plant health.”

“The most significant benefit from our perspective would be ensuring that plant health remains as good and stable as possible, preventing plant diseases without chemicals by improving growing conditions. Nanobubble technology might be why we haven’t faced any plant diseases. It also seems to allow for more consistent irrigation. I believe nanobubbles have been beneficial for us.”

300% More Efficient in Increasing Oxygen Content

According to Kantola, traditional methods of oxidizing irrigation water with an air compressor have been extremely inefficient. “Our methods are at least 300% more efficient than previous technologies.”

Kantola recalls his grandmother’s advice to let well water stand for a day before watering flowers to allow it to oxygenate. “There were no pesticides or chemicals back then. The wisdom of the old folk has only been forgotten for a while and is now being reintroduced in a more efficient form.”

Elina Järvinen adds that achieving results in crop cultivation is the sum of many factors and requires significant effort. She believes in the positive signals generated by nanobubble technology in field trials and hopes further research will confirm these findings.

Nanobubble Technology Availability

The nanobubble technology developed by EOD is already used by more than a dozen professional gardens in Finland to oxygenate irrigation water. The redesigned device now operates completely automatically, allowing the operator to set the desired oxygen level, after which the machine handles the rest. Schetelig Oy, the oldest operator in the Finnish market garden sector, manages EOD’s equipment sales in Finland.

Current knowledge suggests that nanobubble technology can increase plant production by up to 20%. “In the first year, tunnel strawberry experiments increased production by 15.5% compared to the reference area,” notes Latva.

Kantola emphasizes the importance of cultivating without harmful chemical residues, benefiting both consumers and farmers. “In addition to increased production, the average size of products can be improved, and more even harvest years are possible. Many factors impact the farmer’s bottom line.”

Järvinen states that while berry farms in Finland and elsewhere in the EU share farming practices, the substances, techniques, and starting points vary greatly.  “Finnish food products have significantly lower levels of pesticide residues. Reducing chemicals or fertilizers while increasing the amount of berries in commercial condition aligns with the entrepreneur’s ideology. The goal is to produce the best possible crop at the lowest possible cost.”

Martti Latva concludes by mentioning that there will be one more growing season for strawberries and tomatoes within the project framework, in addition to continuous lettuce growing.

Nanokuplateknologialle on ladattu suuria odotuksia maataloudessa | Yritysmaailma (yritma.fi)

Our innovative approach, developed through the pioneering NABLE project led by Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, is transforming plant cultivation as we know it. By infusing irrigation water with nano-sized oxygen bubbles, we’re optimizing oxygen levels for superior plant growth, health, and resilience. Our top-notch Nanoboost® device sets the standard for technical excellence, delivering precise oxygen dosing tailored to each growing environment.

Read more in Hortidaily article here.

The Agri-INNO Award was given to a company that has developed an innovation that brings a positive image to the agricultural industry and can develop into a product 💡 of international significance
The Nanoboost device improves the oxygen content of irrigation water, which improves plant health and makes vegetables grow better.

More about this in ruralnetwork.fi.
YLE Pirkanmaa news

Hortidaily wrote an article about EOD’s Nanoboost device, where it mentions the following. “Due to different environmental conditions, the oxygen content of irrigation water can drop to critically low levels, which challenges healthy plant growth. For this reason, EOD Europe has come up with their new oxygen ­finebubble generator. The Nanoboost™ Oxygen Finebubble Generator, which adds and stabilizes the amount of oxygen in irrigation water.”
Hortidaily.com is an online meeting place for the international horticulture industry with interesting news from around the globe. Its purpose is to provide as much information as possible that can help farmers manage their horticultural business. Read the entire article here on Hortidaily’s website: Increasing the oxygen levels in irrigation water for a healthier growth (hortidaily.com)