Harrow, ON – The Harrow Research and Development Centre has officially upgraded its long-standing
fertigation system, replacing its original DOS-based platform with a modern, Windows-based CCS Fertigation Manager developed by Climate Control Systems Inc.
This upgrade marks a significant milestone in a partnership that dates back to the 1980s, when Climate Control Systems and the Harrow Research Centre collaborated to develop one of the first-ever fertigation control systems. It was during this pioneering work that the term “fertigation”—a combination of irrigation and fertilization—was first introduced.
The original system, considered state-of-the-art at the time, operated on a DOS-based computer platform and focused on precise nutrient delivery using parts-per-million (PPM) targeting, rather than the electrical conductivity (EC)-based methods commonly used today. Despite its age, the system remained in operation for decades, supporting critical agricultural research and managing nearly 100 unique nutrient recipes across multiple zones within the facility.
As legacy hardware capable of supporting DOS became increasingly difficult to source, the Harrow Research Centre turned once again to Climate Control Systems for a solution. CCS responded by redeveloping its PPM-based fertigation software within a modern Windows environment, preserving the precision and flexibility researchers rely on while delivering improved usability and long-term support.
Having previously installed an updated system at the facility, CCS was well-positioned to execute a full-scale upgrade. The new system accommodates the Centre’s extensive library of nutrient recipes and has been expanded to meet evolving research requirements.
The project was completed and commissioned this past month, marking the retirement of the original system and the successful transition to a next-generation platform. The new CCS Fertigation Manager ensures that the Harrow Research Centre remains at the forefront of controlled environment agriculture research, equipped with reliable, modern infrastructure to support future innovation.
Images of the original DOS-based system and the newly installed unit are available upon request.
About Climate Control Systems Inc.
Climate Control Systems Inc. (CCS) is a leader in environmental and fertigation control solutions for
controlled environment agriculture, delivering advanced technologies to optimize crop performance and
operational efficiency.
