Greenhouse farming is one of the innovative agriculture activities which is crucial for meeting the global high demand for food. Greenhouse farming involves growing plants in controlled micro-environments for both commercial and subsistence uses. Modern commercial greenhouses have been highly adopted for agriculture applications across the globe. The technique enhances the yearlong harvest of vegetables such as tomatoes in both cool and warm regions due to its efficiency in food production. Many agricultural firms in developing countries are working with local farmers to improve their yields and enhance efficiency through the adoption of greenhouses.

With a significant reduction of agricultural land across the globe, commercial greenhouses enable intensive production per unit area. Greenhouses are compatible with a wide variety of plants, including onions, herbs and spices, cucumbers, coloured capsicums, etc. While most growers grow tomatoes under irrigation during dry seasons, the commercial greenhouse offers year-round growth. Commercial greenhouses can also increase the plant growth efficiency hence increasing the profit for the growers.

Growing plants in commercial greenhouses ensure that the plants are growing at the desired temperature levels to boost both quality and quantity of plants produced. Besides, greenhouses also enable farmers to implement biological controls for minimal disease infection. Biological control is the usage of parasite or predatory living things which can be either fungi or insects to deal with the harmful insects. The minimal usage of chemical pesticides means that farmers can produce healthier plants for consumption with higher economic yields.

Carbon dioxide may be easily administered to plants depending on the grower’s requirements. Even though the common carbon dioxide level in greenhouses is around the ambient level of 340ppm, researchers have found out that the plants’ yield will increase by 40 to 100 percent if carbon dioxide within the greenhouse to be around 800 – 1000ppm. Modern greenhouses nowadays can be automated and undergo carbon dioxide supplementation. This process increases the carbon dioxide level in a greenhouse to increase photosynthesis rate of a plant. Also, this process can reduce the usage of water as lesser water is lost in a plant due to reduced transpiration.

Lighting is also one of the major determinants for the success of a greenhouse. Greenhouses should be situated where they receive optimal sunlight to maximize the plants’ growth. As different plants have varying light requirements, farmers should ensure that the greenhouse is located at a strategic location by avoiding blockage of sunlight. Many greenhouse users nowadays implement supplement lighting with the most common types being fluorescent, high-intensity discharge (HID) and light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. HID lights are commonly used in cold regions as farmers can utilize heat produced by the light to heat the greenhouse. As for the LED lamps, it is known for its superior lifespan and high electrical efficiency. The lower heat produced also prevents the plant from being burned.

A scaled-down commercial greenhouse is called a cold frame. Greenhouses are mainly manufactured using glass and plastics. The structure heats up as the solar radiation is absorbed by plants and soil in the greenhouse. Subsequently, the properly designed roof and walls function to trap heat energy to keep the greenhouse warm. Permanent greenhouses which are commonly seen in research stations are structured using metal frames and covered with glass. Automated cooling and heating systems are installed to ensure the efficiency of the greenhouse. Semi-permanent greenhouses are more suitable for established growers while temporary greenhouses for small-scale farmers. Temporary greenhouses tend to have wooden frames and are covered with plastic paper material. A pre-site survey by the professional is recommended to prevent any misunderstanding or errors and monetary loses.

A proper ventilation system is also required to control greenhouse micro-climate to ensure that the temperature in the greenhouse is always at the optimum level for the plants to grow. Ventilation is crucial especially in warm region as high temperature in a greenhouse will cause the plants to wilt. Greenhouse users can choose between natural or forced ventilation method. Natural ventilation works with the help of the pressure field induced by the wind around the greenhouse and the buoyancy force induced by the warmer and more humid air in the greenhouse. Forced ventilation is accomplished by fans that are capable to move large quantities of air at relatively low pressure drop.

Building greenhouses at a higher ground helps to enhance drainage of water. This prevents water-logging which has adverse effects on crops. Micro irrigation is often used in greenhouses due to its high level of efficiency and precision. Dripline is one of the most preferred micro irrigation methods by greenhouse users. A dripline consists of a thin-walled pipe with prefixed holes on it. Driplines usually comes with built-in emitters which work to keep a constant flow rate and prevent leaking. Another popular irrigation method for greenhouse is the sub irrigation method. In a sub irrigation system, water and nutrients are being supplied at the base of the container. The water and nutrients are then being absorbed by the roots via capillary action. The major benefit being delivered by the sub irrigation system is its cost-efficiency. As water and nutrient wastage is being recycled, the farmers can save up to 50% of water and fertilizer usage and minimize its wastage.

The growth in the greenhouse industry means that the consumers can access features packed greenhouse at a more reasonable price to fulfil their agriculture dream. The constant innovation in the industry has managed to enable features such as greenhouses customization based on preferences and size of operations. Besides, modern and affordable greenhouses can be constructed easily using locally sourced materials and the system can even be automated using solar-powered sensors. Ultimately, the greenhouse is an excellent choice for farmers who are looking to improve the quality of their crops. Consulting a trained professional is recommended to choose the most suitable greenhouses. Wastech Engineering who is experienced in greenhouse projects will be more than happy to guide you from the beginning of your commercial greenhouse journey.

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