ISHS Acta Horticulturae 107: Optimalisation of Plant Growth under Protected Cultivation through Microclimate Control
LIMITATIONS TO THE POTENTIALITIES OF INCREASING PRODUCTION UNDER WEST AND NORTH EUROPEAN CONDITIONS |
| Author: | Dr. J. van de Vooren |
| Abstract:
Technically spoken it is not a problem to erect a structure in which every environment can be created. Every level and changes in temperature, radiation, aircomposition (CO2, O2, water) is possible. It is obvious that such a structure will cost an enormous amount of money and that in this way horticulture is not a profitable business. But even under such favourable circumstances it will be very difficult to reach maximum yield during the growing season: The possibility exists that a certain environment creates a plant that cannot give maximum yield later on or becomes very susceptible to plant diseases. It is clear that we need a quantitative and qualitative model of crop-growth and production. Connected with a price expectation it then becomes possible to calculate the influence of a certain change in production environment (energy prices, planting date, greenhouse temperature, double glazing). When we look more closely upon the measures a grower can take, we will meet this problem regularly. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
