Bio-economic evaluation of greenhouse designs for seasonal tomato production in Norway

Muhammad Naseer,Tomas Persson,Isabella Righini,Cecilia Stanghellini,Henk Maessen,Michel J Verheul

doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2021.11.005

Abstract

Greenhouses are complex systems whose size, shape, construction material, and equipment for climate control, lighting and heating can vary largely. The greenhouse design can, together with the outdoor weather conditions, have a large impact on the economic performance and the environmental consequences of the production. The aim of this study was to identify a greenhouse design out of several feasible designs that generated the highest net financial return (NFR) and lowest energy use for seasonal tomato production across Norway. A model-based greenhouse design method, which includes a module for greenhouse indoor climate, a crop growth module for yield prediction, and an economic module, was applied to predict the NFR and energy use. Observed indoor climate and tomato yield were predicted using the climate and growth modules in a commercial greenhouse in southwestern Norway (SW) with rail and grow heating pipes, glass cover, energy screens, and CO 2 -enrichment. Subsequently, the NFR and fossil fuel use of five combinations of these elements relevant to Norwegian conditions were determined for four locations: Kise in eastern Norway (E), Mære in midwestern Norway (MW), Orre in southwestern Norway (SW) and Tromsø in northern Norway (N). Across designs and locations, the highest NFR was 47.6 NOK m −2 for the greenhouse design with a night energy screen. The greenhouse design with day and night energy screens, fogging and mechanical cooling and heating having the lowest fossil energy used per m 2 in all locations had an NFR of −94.8 NOK m −2 . The model can be adapted for different climatic conditions using a variation in the design elements. The study is useful at the practical and policy level since it combines the economic module with the environmental impact to measure CO 2 emissions. • A simulation model was applied to evaluate greenhouse design elements in Norway. • The economic and environmental performance of tomato production was determined. • Observed temperature, CO 2 -concentration and yield were predicted fairly accurately. • The greenhouse with a night energy screen had the highest Net Financial Return. • Investing in temperature regulation equipment reduced the fossil fuel use.

Highlights

The agriculture sector is one of the most energy intensive industries in the world (Diakosavvas, 2017) and can result in environmental impacts including soil degradation, groundwater depletion and rise in greenhouse gas emissions etc. (Lamb et al, 2016; Longo, Mistretta, Guarino, & Cellura, 2017; Notarnicola et al, 2015; Tamburini, Pedrini, Marchetti, Fano, & Castaldelli, 2015)
While the Relative Root Mean Squared Error (RRMSE) for the three variables is less than 10%, pointing towards the model being relatively accurate, the results from Mean Bias Error (MBE) show that the model prediction, especially for CO2, is negatively biased
A previous application of the same model showed that a Parral, a greenhouse with a single bay, whitewash and fogging, had a higher net financial return (NFR) than a Parral with whitewash and heating, and a multi-tunnel design with whitewash, for economic and climate conditions in Spain using other design elements, which contrasts with the lack of effect of fogging on NFR that we found for conditions representing Norway

Summary

Introduction

The agriculture sector is one of the most energy intensive industries in the world (Diakosavvas, 2017) and can result in environmental impacts including soil degradation, groundwater depletion and rise in greenhouse gas emissions etc. (Lamb et al, 2016; Longo, Mistretta, Guarino, & Cellura, 2017; Notarnicola et al, 2015; Tamburini, Pedrini, Marchetti, Fano, & Castaldelli, 2015). One way to reach such an expansion in food production is to use protected cultivation techniques, which mitigate the effects of unfavourable weather conditions. Such systems can include protection against wind, rain and sun as well as heating, cooling, humidity control, CO2-enrichment, lighting and irrigation, and can help to increase the yield, optimise the resource use, improve food production and extend the growing season (Tap, 2000). Greenhouses are one of the main methods of protected cultivation that shield crops against unfavourable outdoor conditions They are complex systems whose size, shape, construction material, and equipment for climate control, lighting and heating can vary greatly. There are multiple drivers (temperature, light intensity, light spectrum and day length, humidity, CO2-concentration and fertigation) that can be modified under controlled environmental conditions to increase the biomass production (Incrocci, Stanghellini, & Kempkes, 2008; Moe, Grimstad, & Gislerod, 2005)

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Conclusion