ISHS Acta Horticulturae 148: III International Symposium on Energy in Protected Cultivation
CARBON DIOXIDE DEPLETION EFFECTS IN ENERGY EFFICIENT GREENHOUSES |
| Authors: | W. L. Bauerle, Ted H. Short |
| Abstract:
In the future, greenhouses must become energy efficient to the point where an economic advantage can be realized in crops grown in the greenhouse if they are to expand and fluorish. Systems are now technologically available to accomplish this. However, such systems alter the internal environment in the greenhouse in which the plants are growing (ie., light, temperature, humidity, and CO2) Understanding the ambient environmental variables in plant culture in an intensive energy conserving system is necessary to produce optimum plant yield and quality. A primary concern in energy conserving greenhouses is carbon dioxide (CO2), which, if permitted to deplete in the greenhouse atmosphere, causes decreases in net photosynthesis rate (NPR), as well as increases in leaf transpiration in tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce. Decreasing the NPR will result in lower yields and quality as well as other plant responses. Increasing the transpiration can lead to expensive relative humidity (RH) control considerations within energy conserving greenhouses. Carbon dioxide management is, therefore, a primary environmental factor in greenhouses. The control of CO2 levels can provide a significant means for controlling the water loss from plants and simplfy the control of RH in greenhouses. | |
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