ISHS Acta Horticulturae 417: International Symposium on Greenhouse Crop Models
INTEGRATION OF THE GREENHOUSE CARE SYSTEM WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPUTER TO CONTROL FLOWERING AND ELONGATION OF LILIUM LONGIFLORUM |
| Authors: | N. Ehler, M. Brogaard, P. Fisher, R. Heins, H. Lieth |
| Keywords: | DIF, knowledge-based systems, modelling |
| Abstract:
A decision-support system (DSS) was developed for recommending night and day temperature set points to control the timing and height of Easter lily. Existing biological models and qualitative rules were combined into an overall model of the response of plant development rate to temperature. A knowledge-based system recommended optimum temperatures based on development rate and plant height. The model was implemented on a program called The Greenhouse CARE System and was linked directly with an environmental computer to control greenhouse temperatures. An experiment was conducted to validate the DSS in three locations (Copenhagen, Michigan and California). The objective was producing Easter lilies to predefined flowering date and, secondarily, plant height targets. Day and night temperature settings recommended by the DSS were the sole method used to control plant growth and development. Flowering of 50% of the plants occurred on the specific target date in two locations and was one day early in the third location. Plant height was consistently taller than desired, indicating that improved modelling of the DIF influence on elongation is needed and that growth retardant effects need to be included in future model recommendations. | |
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