Greenhouses

A greenhouse is a system for environmental modification and management that allows plants to be grown in climates and seasons that would not otherwise be well suited for their growth.

Greenhouses can be used to grow many different kinds of plants with a wide range of environmental requirements from tender rainforest plants to desert succulent and just about everything in between

Greenhouses are often used for growing flowers, vegetables, fruits and transplants. Special greenhouse varieties of certain crops, such as tomatoes, are generally used for commercial production. Many vegetables and flowers can be grown in greenhouses in late winter and early spring, and then transplanted outside as the weather warms.

The environmental factors that must be understood and managed for the production of quality plant material in the greenhouse include both the above and below ground physical enviromment as well as the biotic environment. The physical environment includes light, water, temperature, inorganic nutrients necessary for plant growth. The biotic environment includes the plants themselves as well as the insects, microorganism and other creatures that are competing for the same resources. In greenhouses, maintaining a constant and uniform temperature is essential because it has a direct impact on the feasibility of growing crops. 

 Greenhouses are filled with equipment including screening installations, heating, cooling, lighting, and may be controlled by a computer to optimize conditions for plant growth. Different techniques are then used to evaluate optimality-degrees  and comfort ratio of greenhouse micro-climate  such as air temperature, relative humidity and vapor pressure deficit in order to reduce production risk prior to cultivation of a specific crop

  

 Common greenhouse diseases are conveyed through condensation, and to avoid condensation, the grower can keep the temperature of leaf surfaces above the dew point so that it prevents condensation. The microclimate of the crops influences disease and pest management.Depending on the region and the seasons, a greenhouse might need to be heated, cooled or ventilated. 

        

 Pressures for energy conservation, pollution prevention, and economically efficient production directly impact the design and operation of heating and cooling systems. To minimize the cost and negative environmental effects associated with greenhouse heating and cooling systems, a number of factors must be taken into consideration.

  

Greenhouses allow for greater control over the growing environment of plants. Depending upon the technical specification of a greenhouse, key factors which may be controlled include temperature, levels of light and shade, irrigation, fertilizer application, and atmospheric humidity. Greenhouses may be used to overcome shortcomings in the growing qualities of a piece of land, such as a short growing season or poor light levels, and they can thereby improve food production in marginal environments. Greenhouses in hot, dry climates used specifically to provide shade are sometimes called "shadehouses.

In summary greenhouse control plant physiology and hence boost plant yield with less infection if all managements of plant and its greenhouse are taken into consideration.