Abstract
Understanding the environment of olive tree cuttings is a key factor in improving these plants’ rooting rate and survival. This study aims to develop a three-dimensional (3-D) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model for numerically assessing air temperature and relative humidity in an olive cuttings greenhouse under Mediterranean climatic conditions. The results are deduced from a steady-state simulation performed with recorded boundary conditions at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 02:00 pm, 04:00 pm, and 06:00 pm at different observation points. The calculations were validated using experimental data. The simulation errors of the air temperature were -0.8°C to 4.55°C, and errors of the leaf temperature were 0.07°C to 2.42°C, for the air relative humidity was -33.84% to -1.64%, and -10.1% to -13.54% for the relative humidity of the leaf air. Contour maps were obtained from the 3-D CFD simulations to evaluate the distribution of humidity and air temperature inside the greenhouse and the vicinity of the plant canopy. This study suggests that the developed 3-D CFD model can be a helpful tool to understand and optimize greenhouse operation for better crop quality.
Highlights
This study aims to develop a three-dimensional (3-D) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model for numerically assessing air temperature and relative humidity in an olive cuttings greenhouse under Mediterranean climatic conditions
This study suggests that the developed 3-D CFD model can be a helpful tool to understand and optimize greenhouse operation for better crop quality
The developed model provided good overall agreement with the experimental measurements. This model showed the limitation of the two cooling systems’ effect on the excess of internal heat during the day. It lowers the air temperature of the greenhouse by a maximum of 4.55 ̊C, the need to equip this greenhouse with natural ventilation openings
Summary
Olives are usually propagated by cuttings in a greenhouse [2] [3]. The cuttings greenhouse must respect two main constraints: to protect the young plants from external climatic conditions and create a permanent climate favorable to the cuttings creating roots [4]. Different types of agricultural greenhouses are designed, such as tunnels greenhouses, the most structure used in Mediterranean regions [5]. The poor control of environmental factors in the cuttings environment attributes to a low rooting percentage of olive cuttings [6] [8]. Understanding and improving greenhouse climate control and management to increase the rooting rate is the wish of farmers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
