Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Effect of net size on horizontal temperature gradients in naturally-ventilated tropical greenhouses

Author(s):

V. M. Salokhe ^1*, Peeyush Soni ¹, H. J. Tantau ²

Recieved Date: 2005-01-11, Accepted Date: 2005-03-20

Abstract:

Experiments were conducted in four greenhouses of sizes 3 m x 6 m x 3.2 m (W x L x H) with tomato crop inside, to study the spatial distribution of air-temperature under naturally ventilated condition. HDPE insect-nets of 32, 40, 50 and 78 mesh having 53, 34, 33 and 19% porosity, respectively, were used for greenhouses-cladding. Both absolute and relative stress-gradients of temperature were observed along the central horizontal (x and y) axes of 3 m x 6 m greenhouse structure with x as semi-minor and y as semi-major axes. A real-time comparison was made among greenhouses for young and matured plants and two plant densities, single and double. Younger plants occupied 5% of gutter height while matured statured 50%; plant density was doubled from average 1.7 plant/m² to 3.3 plants/m² with three and five rows kept lengthwise, respectively. Horizontal (x) locations exhibited 12% temperature gradients that were found insensitive to vegetation but lowering net porosity increased these gradients from 8 to 12%. There was 10% temperature gradient recorded in horizontal (y) locations, which decreased with decreasing vegetation, especially with plant height. It was further noted that horizontal air-temperature gradients responded considerably slower towards plant density; rather they found to be more sensitive against plant height. Plant density, on the other hand, altered their peak absolute values. Doubling plant density reported significantly higher horizontal temperature gradients.

Keywords:

Greenhouse, insect nets, temperature gradients, microclimate, tomato

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2005
Volume: 3
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 316-322

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