Greenhouse Sector Research Articles

Potential for large-scale solar collector system to offset carbon-based heating in the Ontario greenhouse sector

ABSTRACTIn the Ontario greenhouse sector the misalignment of available solar radiation during the summer months and large heating demand during the winter months makes solar thermal collector systems an unviable option without some form of seasonal energy storage. Information obtained from Ontario greenhouse operators has shown that over 20% of annual natural gas usage occurs during the summer months for greenhouse pre-heating prior to sunrise. A transient model of the greenhouse microclimate and indoor conditioning systems is carried out using TRNSYS software and validated with actual natural gas usage data. A large-scale solar thermal collector system is then incorporated and found to reduce the annual heating energy demand by approximately 35%. The inclusion of the collector system correlates to a reduction of about 120 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions per acre of greenhouse per year. System payback period is discussed considering the benefits of a future Ontario carbon tax.

Enviro-Economic Assessment of Energy Conservation Methods in Commercial Greenhouses in Iran

Population growth, rapid cultural development and urbanization have led to increased food demand. However, in Iran, due to limited water resources, only about 50% of the total arable area can be used for horticultural purposes. Therefore, yield improvement is very dependent on high-efficiency horticultural technologies such as commercial greenhouses. Although better yields can be obtained in commercial greenhouses than in field-scale cultivation, the energy demand is considerably higher. Moreover, the investment and energy costs are correspondingly larger in commercial greenhouses compared with any other horticultural sector. Hence energy conservation in commercial greenhouses has been emphasized in recent years in order to sustain more cost-efficient crop production. A study on energy use in the commercial greenhouse sector can thus help to identify the challenges and options for improving profitability. In this paper, the authors assess the commercial greenhouse industry in Iran, including the number of existing and planned greenhouses, plus the range in yield and energy use in the sector compared with other agricultural sectors. The results are based on a ‘typical’ commercial greenhouse for the region. The results show that the solar blind system can reduce heating and cooling demand by 60% and 90% respectively. The solar blind system can supply 70 kWh/m2 of electricity annually, which can be used for supplementary lighting or cooling systems. The maximum electrical power that can be supplied by a solar blind system is estimated to be about 113 kW per m2 of photovoltaic module. The implications for the horticultural greenhouse industry are discussed.

Toward an Integrative Perspective on Social Learning in System Innovation Initiatives

Beers, P., B. van Mierlo, and A.-C. Hoes. 2016. Toward an Integrative Perspective on Social Learning in System Innovation Initiatives. Ecology and Society 21(1):33.http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-08148-210133

Combined heat and power in Dutch greenhouses: A case study of technology diffusion

This paper presents a case study of the rapid diffusion of combined heat and power (CHP) units through the Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector between 2003 and 2009 in order to gain new insights regarding technology transitions. We present a sectoral diffusion analysis framework, which we apply to identify and examine developments in technical, economic, institutional, cultural and ecological domains that all contributed to an emergent and thorough CHP diffusion in the Dutch greenhouse sector. Five identified key drivers behind the CHP diffusion are the opening of the energy market in 2002, the high spark spread during the transition period, the compatibility of output of a CHP unit with greenhouse demand, the flexibility provided by heat buffers, and the cooperative and competitive greenhouse sector culture. We conclude that policies to stimulate or steer technology diffusion will benefit from an in-depth analysis of domain interactions and company decision-making processes. Such an in-depth analysis makes for well informed and targeted policies that are better able to steer an industrial sector effectively and in a socially desired direction.

Effect of increasing temperatures on cooling systems. A case of study: European greenhouse sector

The work attempts to assess the effects of global warming on the efficacy of current greenhouse cooling methods following a methodology previously proved for other agricultural buildings. The cooling potential of four greenhouse cooling techniques (natural ventilation, forced ventilation, fogging and shading) were simulated by computer modelling for five European locations, calculating the greenhouse internal air temperature from measured external climate data. Four 2080s scenarios were analysed in these five locations. They were constructed as a combination of General Circulation Models (Had CM3 and ECHAM4) downscaled for Europe with the HIRHAM and RCA3 regional models and driven by the A2 and B2 socio-economic scenarios. The crop considered as reference was tomato. The results showed that, in locations in southern Europe, adding evaporative cooling methods to ventilation and/or shading will be indispensable. In some areas of northern Europe, natural ventilation will no longer be sufficient, and shading or fogging will also be necessary. The economic consequences will be important, over all in the southern locations where water consumption, investment and working costs will be higher and necessary to ensure the crop production.

IMPACT OF FISCAL POLICIES ON INPUTS AND PRODUCTION COSTS IN GREENHOUSE IN ALBANIA

This paper analysis agriculture input related taxes and tariffs policies and their impact on input prices, production costs and profitability, focusing on the greenhouse sector in Albania. The study combines desk research and expert interviews to collect data and to analyse the main policy reforms and the tariff regime. A financial cost benefit analysis is implemented in order to observe the effect of the change of taxes in both sides: at farm gate profitability of Albanian farmers as well as in terms of revenues forgone in the state budget based on revenues collected.According to our research findings, tax exemption on inputs such as agrochemicals and fuel would significantly affect positively the profitability at the farm level and the overall agriculture sector competitiveness. Several political implications of the various scenarios of tax reduction are discussed and provided to policy-makers.

Ion-specific nutrient management in closed systems: the necessity for ion-selective sensors in terrestrial and space-based agriculture and water management systems.

The ability to monitor and control plant nutrient ions in fertigation solutions, on an ion-specific basis, is critical to the future of controlled environment agriculture crop production, be it in traditional terrestrial settings (e.g., greenhouse crop production) or as a component of bioregenerative life support systems for long duration space exploration. Several technologies are currently available that can provide the required measurement of ion-specific activities in solution. The greenhouse sector has invested in research examining the potential of a number of these technologies to meet the industry's demanding requirements, and although no ideal solution yet exists for on-line measurement, growers do utilize technologies such as high-performance liquid chromatography to provide off-line measurements. An analogous situation exists on the International Space Station where, technological solutions are sought, but currently on-orbit water quality monitoring is considerably restricted. This paper examines the specific advantages that on-line ion-selective sensors could provide to plant production systems both terrestrially and when utilized in space-based biological life support systems and how similar technologies could be applied to nominal on-orbit water quality monitoring. A historical development and technical review of the various ion-selective monitoring technologies is provided.

Efeito da composição de substratos no enraizamento de estacas de Hyptis suaveolens

Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit., is considered to be a plant of high therapeutic potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the different composition of substrates for rooting medians of Hyptis suaveolens . The study was conducted in greenhouse Sector Soil Environmental Sciences Department, Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA) in May 2010. The treatments were the following substrates: arisco soil (T1), sand (T2), mixture of manure and sand (2:1) (T3), a mixture of sand, arisco soil and manure (1:1:1) (T4), and mixture of arisco soil, sand and humus (1:1:1) (T5). The experimental design was a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications and 10 cuttings per plot. The evaluated characteristics were the rooting percentage, longest root length, diameter of the cuttings, dry mass of shoot and root. Substrates sand, arisco soil, and the combination of their mixture with cattle manure, stood out from other substrates in the percentage of rooting. Therefore, a combination of mixed sand, arisco soli and cattle manure is recommended for the production of seedlings of Hyptis suaveolens .

Analyzing a self-managed CHP system for greenhouse cultivation as a profitable way to reduce CO 2-emissions

To counter global warming, a transition to a low-carbon economy is needed. The greenhouse sector can contribute by installing Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, known for their excellent energy efficiency. Due to the recent European liberalization of the energy market, glass horticulturists have the opportunity to sell excess electricity to the market and by tailored policy and support measures, regional governments can fill the lack of technical and economic knowledge, causing initial resistance. This research investigates the economic and environmental opportunities using two detailed cases applying a self managed cogeneration system. The Net Present Value is calculated to investigate the economic feasibility. The Primary Energy Saving, the CO 2 Emission Reduction indicator and an Emission Balance are applied to quantify the environmental impact. The results demonstrate that a self-managed CHP system is economic viable and that CO 2 emissions are reduced.

Canadian advanced life support capacities and future directions

Canada began research on space-relevant biological life support systems in the early 1990s. Since that time Canadian capabilities have grown tremendously, placing Canada among the emerging leaders in biological life support systems. The rapid growth of Canadian expertise has been the result of several factors including a large and technically sophisticated greenhouse sector which successfully operates under challenging climatic conditions, well planned technology transfer strategies between the academic and industrial sectors, and a strong emphasis on international research collaborations. Recent activities such as Canada’s contribution of the Higher Plant Compartment of the European Space Agency’s MELiSSA Pilot Plant and the remote operation of the Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse in the Canadian High Arctic continue to demonstrate Canadian capabilities with direct applicability to advanced life support systems. There is also a significant latent potential within Canadian institutions and organizations with respect to directly applicable advanced life support technologies. These directly applicable research interests include such areas as horticultural management strategies (for candidate crops), growth media, food processing, water management, atmosphere management, energy management, waste management, imaging, environment sensors, thermal control, lighting systems, robotics, command and data handling, communications systems, structures, in-situ resource utilization, space analogues and mission operations. With this background and in collaboration with the Canadian aerospace industry sector, a roadmap for future life support contributions is presented here. This roadmap targets an objective of at least 50% food closure by 2050 (providing greater closure in oxygen, water recycling and carbon dioxide uptake). The Canadian advanced life support community has chosen to focus on lunar surface infrastructure and not low Earth orbit or transit systems (i.e. microgravity applications). To advance the technical readiness for the proposed lunar missions, including a lunar plant growth lander, lunar “salad machine” (i.e. small scale plant production unit) and a full scale lunar plant production system, a suite of terrestrial developments and analogue systems are proposed. As has been successfully demonstrated by past Canadian advanced life support activities, terrestrial technology transfer and the development of highly qualified personnel will serve as key outputs for Canadian advanced life support system research programs. This approach is designed to serve the Canadian greenhouse industry by developing compliance measures for mitigating environmental impact, reducing labour and energy costs as well as improving Canadian food security, safety and benefit northern/remote communities.

Greenhouse sector development strategy: establishment of a Cooperative Logistics Center

Greenhouse sector development strategy: establishment of a Cooperative Logistics Center

Opportunities for a Bio-based Economy in the Netherlands

The shift to a bio-based economy for the Netherlands is not only required because of climate change, but also for industrial strategy reasons. Traditional strongholds of the Dutch economy like the Rotterdam harbour, the agricultural sector (including the greenhouse sector, and food and feed industries) and the petrochemical industry will be affected by the new economic realities, and it is precisely to these sectors that a bio-based economy will offer new opportunities.

In pursuit of ‘green gold’: immigration and the fortunes of a Sicilian greenhouse district

Over the past 20 years, foreign workers, especially men from nearby Tunisia, have become indispensable to the greenhouse district of southeastern Sicily. This article examines the development of the greenhouse sector, the role of foreign labor, and relations between immigrants and Sicilians. Despite recent gains, it appears unlikely that immigrants will gain the security and respect achieved by Sicilian agriculturalists since the 1960s. The integration of immigrants into rural Sicilian society is therefore best described as an uneasy one.

Factors underlying the investment decision in energy-saving systems in Dutch horticulture

In the Netherlands the greenhouse sector is a major user of energy. It accounts for 7% of the total national energy use and for 79% of the total energy use in agriculture. In order to sustain this sector on the long term, it is important that its use of energy is lowered. One way of reducing energy use by horticultural producers is investing in energy-saving systems. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the investment behavior of firm operators in the adoption of energy-saving systems. Research objectives of the paper are (1) to analyze factors underlying the decision to invest, (2) to explore factors underlying the optimal size of investments. Three investment theories were used to construct an empirical model of investment. Consequently, this model was estimated in a two-stage procedure to analyze the factors influencing the decision of farmers to invest and the level of investments. The paper ends with policy implications.

Policy and Regulations for Registration of Microbial Organisms in Denmark

In Denmark several factors like the national pesticide action plan, ethical questions, national research strategy, increasing share of organic farming and fees are affecting the policy regarding regulatory agencies approach for products supporting sustainable pest management. The use of microbial pesticides in Denmark are limited, with the relatively largest share used in the greenhouse sector. Approval of a product not sold in Denmark before July 26, 1993 consists of two parts: An EU approval of the active micro-organism, and a national approval of the product containing the active micro-organism. An EU approval of an active micro-organism is only granted if the active micro-organism is included in Annex I of the directive of authorized active organisms. As a main principle, an active micro-organism shall be entered on the list of authorized active organisms before the Danish EPA may grant an approval for sale or import of products containing active micro-organisms. Until now five new organisms have been recommended for EU approval and inclusion in Annex I of the Directive, but so far none have been included. For products sold in Denmark before July 26, 1993 a transitional scheme specified in the Order is applied. Under this procedure application for approval of such products should be submitted to the Danish EPA before July 26, 1994 if the products were intended for sale in Denmark after this date. The application is considered at a national level only by the Danish EPA. The Danish EPA has received applications concerning nine different active micro-organisms. Both GMO's and biocides are covered by specifie legislation. If the GMO's are also pesticides, they must also comply with the Danish pesticides legislation. As no transgenic microbial pesticides or microbial biocides have yet been registered in Denmark, there is no legal practice on this issue.

Greenhouse concentration and sustainable horticulture in densely populated areas

During the last two decades, the production value of the Belgian horticultural sector has increased substantially and represents almost a quarter of the total agricultural production value. Within the total production value of vegetables, greenhouse production represents almost half. Despite having so much importance, the greenhouse sector faces a lot of problems in relation to sustainability such as obtaining the necessary building and exploitation permits. The lack of space and adapted legislation results in an uncertain investment environment. The establishment of greenhouse parks, which can be defined as areas of greenhouse concentration, can satisfy the need for space. Using a survey organised amongst all horticultural holdings in an important greenhouse production area, a study has been conducted of the attitude of farmers towards the establishment of greenhouse concentration parks. A probit model is used to connect the attitude of farmers with characteristics of horticultural farms and farmers. Possible areas for greenhouse parks are also identified and evaluated. The results confirm that greenhouse concentration may be an acceptable solution for the spatial problems of horticultural farmers. The methodology used can be applied to identify and evaluate areas suitable for greenhouse concentration.

A Sustainable Greenhouse Sector: Fiction or Reality?

A Sustainable Greenhouse Sector: Fiction or Reality?

Stochastic simulation of catastrophic hail and windstorm indemnities in the Dutch greenhouse sector.

A risk analysis was performed to examine the effect of changes in the Dutch greenhouse sector on the probability of occurrence and magnitude of indemnities induced by catastrophic natural hazards. Analyzed historical indemnities, which included direct and consequential losses resulting from severe hail and windstorms, were used as input in a stochastic simulation model. Applications of the stochastic simulation model were illustrated under alternative risk conditions. A comparison was made between the current structure of greenhouse production and the expected structure in the next decade that differs with respect to the spatial distribution and average size.

生産・流通基盤からみた茨城県友部町におけるキク産地の維持機構

Japan is one of the leading flower producers, with chrysanthemums being typical flowers. Although the plastic green house sector has been developed in Japanese floriculture since the 1970's, a considerable amount of chrysanthemums is still cultivated in open fields. Tomobe town, located in Hitachi diluvial upland, is known as an active chrysanthemum producing area in Kanto Plain. In this research, the author pays attention to the production and distribution basis of floricultural farms to examine the maintain mechanism of chrysanthe mum cultivation in Tomobe town, Ibaraki prefecture.Open field chrysanthemum cultivation at Tomobe town was started by a veteran returning in 1946. Because the major crop cultivation system on the upland fields at the time was a double cropping system of wheat and potato, only a few farms were interested in floriculture. When chrysanthemums were sold at high prices in the flower wholesale market in Mito city, chrysanthemum cultivation began to spread among farms in the Namusanzuke district of Tomobe town.The number of chrysanthemum farms in Tomobe increased from the 1950's to the mid-1960's. Chrysanthemums were shipped to flower wholesale markets in Tokyo metropolis and Tochigi prefecture in the early 1950's. After three shipment cooperatives were founded in the mid-1950's, chrysanthemums were also shipped to local flower wholesale markets in distant regions, such as Kanagawa prefecture and Miyagi prefecture. Although the three cooperatives were united as a branch of Agricultural Cooperatives in 1972, the relationship between farms and wholesale markets still restricts distribution by floricultural farm.Floricultural farms in Namusanzuke district are divided into two types, on bases of total sales revenue from cut flowers: six full-time floricultural farms and 15 part-time floricultural farms. The farm management of the former farms is characterized by two generations of agricultural family labor with chrysanthemum cultivation in open fields and cut flower cultivation in plastic greenhouse facilities. The farm management of the latter farms is characterized by one generation of agricultural family labor and chrysanthemum cultivationin open fields. The aging of family labor and lack of successors is hindering cut flower cultivation in some of the later farms.The former farms sell a large amount of products through cooperative shipments of Central Ibaraki Agricultural Cooperative. The latter farms sell products largely through individual shipments of the Agricultural Cooperative. Cooperative shipments forward cut flowers mainly to large flower wholesale markets in Tokyo metropolis and Kanagawa prefecture. Individual shipments forward cut flowers mainly to various local flower wholesale markets in eastern Japan through distribution centers in Tokyo metropolis.The cut flower's production-distribution mechanism is suitable for the structure of flower wholesale markets of Japan, e. g., several enormous wholesale markets in the metropolitan area and many small wholesale markets in local cities. The individual distribution system for local wholesale markets is an important factor for maintaining the chrysanthemum production, especially by part-time floricultural farms. However, unified flower wholesale markets in Tokyo and large-scale wholesale markets, which request high-quality flowers through cooperative shipments, are to be constructed. The regional organizations, such as the flower section of Central Ibaraki Agricultural Cooperative and the municipality of Tomobe town, should endeavor to introduce producers to new cultivation techniques for producing high-quality flowers that can pass the standard for cooperative shipment.

Proving the Economic Importance of the Greenhouse, Nursery and Sod Industry: A New Jersey Case Study

Abstract The economic contribution of the greenhouse, nursery and sod (GNS) sector to the economy of New Jersey was analyzed using Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN). The results were analyzed in terms of employment, employee compensation, and total industry output, and were disaggregated into direct, indirect and induced effects of GNS activity. The analysis shows that the direct contribution of the GNS sector generated substantial indirect and induced economic effects in the real estate sector. The indirect effects were also great for the wholesale, agricultural services and agricultural chemicals sector, while the general merchandise, and the apparel and accessories sectors experienced major gains from the induced effects of GNS activity.