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Agronomy
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Greenhouse Technology
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Greenhouse Technology

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Biosystem and Biological Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 52316

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Diego Luis Valera Martínez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CIAIMBITAL, Universidad de Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
Interests: greenhouse; horticulture; insect pest management; food safety; public health; water
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Greenhouse technology has evolved from being a niche cultivation system for specialty crops to becoming the backbone of intensive agriculture both in developed economies and in new emerging markets. From a consumer point of view, greenhouse technology has provided a wide availability of high-quality fresh produce all year round at affordable prices, a factor that has undoubtedly changed the market dynamics in a permanent manner. From a technological point of view, the reasons for the rapid expansion of greenhouse technology and, in particular, of greenhouse horticulture are manifold, but one main factor arises above all other considerations. Indeed, the possibility to control the microclimate inside the greenhouse independently of outside environmental conditions has made it possible to cultivate a wide range of high-demand crops in latitudes where, due to their harsh cold or warm environmental conditions, horticulture would otherwise be limited to seasonal, lower-productivity crops. This delicate balance between the microclimate inside the greenhouse and external environmental conditions has not come without a cost. Indeed, the expansion of greenhouse agriculture has resulted in a number of scientific challenges in a plethora of scientific fields. This, in turn, requires new multidisciplinary scientific and technological solutions in the fields of insect pest management, food safety and public health, water and underground water quality, climate control and energy engineering, plant breeding, soil science, and agricultural economics, to name only a few of the most pressing challenges in this highly dynamic and emerging scientific domain.

Dr. Diego Luis Valera Martínez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Greenhouse
  • Horticulture
  • Plant protection
  • Crops
  • Insect pest management
  • Food safety
  • Greenhouse structures
  • Water
  • Climate control
  • Energy
  • Plant breeding
  • Soil science
  • Agricultural economic

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3947 KiB  
Article
The Role of Technology in Greenhouse Agriculture: Towards a Sustainable Intensification in Campo de Dalías (Almería, Spain)
by Antonio J. Mendoza-Fernández, Araceli Peña-Fernández, Luis Molina and Pedro A. Aguilera
Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 101; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11010101 - 07 Jan 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4169
Abstract
Campo de Dalías, located in southeastern Spain, is the greatest European exponent of greenhouse agriculture. The development of this type of agriculture has led to an exponential economic development of one of the poorest areas of Spain, in a short period of time. [...] Read more.
Campo de Dalías, located in southeastern Spain, is the greatest European exponent of greenhouse agriculture. The development of this type of agriculture has led to an exponential economic development of one of the poorest areas of Spain, in a short period of time. Simultaneously, it has brought about a serious alteration of natural resources. This article will study the temporal evolution of changes in land use, and the exploitation of groundwater. Likewise, this study will delve into the technological development in greenhouses (irrigation techniques, new water resources, greenhouse structures or improvement in cultivation techniques) seeking a sustainable intensification of agriculture under plastic. This sustainable intensification also implies the conservation of existing natural areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Technology)
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24 pages, 1300 KiB  
Article
Identification of Opportunities for Applying the Circular Economy to Intensive Agriculture in Almería (South-East Spain)
by José A. Aznar-Sánchez, Juan F. Velasco-Muñoz, Daniel García-Arca and Belén López-Felices
Agronomy 2020, 10(10), 1499; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy10101499 - 01 Oct 2020
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 6611
Abstract
The use of intensive high-yield agricultural systems has proved to be a feasible alternative to traditional systems as they able to meet the objective of guaranteeing long-term sustainability in the supply of food. In order to implement these systems, it is necessary to [...] Read more.
The use of intensive high-yield agricultural systems has proved to be a feasible alternative to traditional systems as they able to meet the objective of guaranteeing long-term sustainability in the supply of food. In order to implement these systems, it is necessary to replace the traditional model of “extract-use-consume-dispose” with a model based on the principles of the Circular Economy (CE), optimizing the use of resources and minimizing the generation of waste. Almería has become a paradigm of this type of high-yield agricultural system, with the largest concentration of greenhouses in the world. This study analyses the opportunities that the CE can offer the intensive agriculture sector in Almería in order to obtain long-term sustainability. The results show a wide variety of alternatives, both on an agricultural exploitation level and in the case of the product packaging and wholesale centers. The priority areas of action are waste management, the prevention of product waste and the improvement in the efficiency of the use of water and energy. The principal limitations for adopting circular practices are the large investment required, the limited transfer of knowledge between the different users and the lack of sufficient support from the government and the sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Technology)
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19 pages, 1801 KiB  
Article
Simple Tuning Rules for Feedforward Compensators Applied to Greenhouse Daytime Temperature Control Using Natural Ventilation
by Ana Paola Montoya-Ríos, Francisco García-Mañas, José Luis Guzmán and Francisco Rodríguez
Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1327; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy10091327 - 04 Sep 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2869
Abstract
In this work, simple tuning rules for feedforward compensators were applied to design a control strategy to regulate the inside air temperature of a greenhouse during daytime by means of a natural ventilation system. The developed control strategy is based on a PI [...] Read more.
In this work, simple tuning rules for feedforward compensators were applied to design a control strategy to regulate the inside air temperature of a greenhouse during daytime by means of a natural ventilation system. The developed control strategy is based on a PI (Proportional-Integral) controller combined with feedforward compensators to improve the performance against measurable external disturbances such as outside air temperature, solar radiation, and wind velocity. Since the greenhouse process dynamics is very complex and physical non-linear models are mathematically complicated, a system identification methodology was proposed to obtain simpler models (high-order polynomial and low-order transfer functions). Thus, an easier procedure was completed to tune the PI controller parameters and to obtain the feedforward compensators expressions by following a series of modern and simple tuning rules. Simulations with real data were executed to compare the control performance of a PI controller with or without the addition of feedforward compensators. Moreover, real tests for the developed control strategy were carried out in an experimental greenhouse. Results demonstrate an enhanced control performance with the presence of the feedforward compensators under different weather conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Technology)
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26 pages, 1929 KiB  
Article
Biodegradable Raffia as a Sustainable and Cost-Effective Alternative to Improve the Management of Agricultural Waste Biomass
by Mónica Duque-Acevedo, Luis Jesús Belmonte-Ureña, Fernando Toresano-Sánchez and Francisco Camacho-Ferre
Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1261; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy10091261 - 26 Aug 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5830
Abstract
The transition from intensive conventional agriculture to sustainable agriculture has become a global priority. This is due to the need for environmentally friendly agriculture to ensure sufficient food for a rapidly growing population. The bioeconomy is essential to progress in the field of [...] Read more.
The transition from intensive conventional agriculture to sustainable agriculture has become a global priority. This is due to the need for environmentally friendly agriculture to ensure sufficient food for a rapidly growing population. The bioeconomy is essential to progress in the field of sustainable agriculture. It contributes to the conservation of biological resources through circular and comprehensive management. The bioeconomy prioritizes the reduction and reuse of materials and products. The focus of this study is the use of biodegradable/compostable raffia in protected horticultural crops in the Province of Almería (Spain). The analysis and evaluations, based on an extensive literature review and information given by stakeholders, determined that biodegradable raffia use significantly improves the management of residual biomass in Almería. However, biodegradable raffia is only used in a small percentage of crops even though it is a sustainable alternative and profitable for farmers. The economic analysis incorporates the higher cost of recycling non-biodegradable raffia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Technology)
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20 pages, 14190 KiB  
Article
Development of a Building Energy Simulation Model for Control of Multi-Span Greenhouse Microclimate
by Adnan Rasheed, Cheul Soon Kwak, Wook Ho Na, Jong Won Lee, Hyeon Tae Kim and Hyun Woo Lee
Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1236; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy10091236 - 21 Aug 2020
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3365
Abstract
In this study, we propose a building energy simulation model of a multi-span greenhouse using a transient system simulation program to simulate greenhouse microenvironments. The proposed model allows daily and seasonal control of screens, roof vents, and heating setpoints according to crop needs. [...] Read more.
In this study, we propose a building energy simulation model of a multi-span greenhouse using a transient system simulation program to simulate greenhouse microenvironments. The proposed model allows daily and seasonal control of screens, roof vents, and heating setpoints according to crop needs. The proposed model was used to investigate the effect of different thermal screens, natural ventilation, and heating setpoint controls on annual and maximum heating loads of a greenhouse. The experiments and winter season weather conditions of greenhouses in Taean Gun (latitude 36.88° N, longitude 126.24° E, elevation 45 m) Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea was used for validation of our model. Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficients of 0.87 and 0.71 showed good correlation between the computed and experimental results; thus, the proposed model is appropriate for performing greenhouse thermal simulations. The results showed that the heating loads of the triple-layered screen were 70% and 40% lower than that of the single-screen and double-screen greenhouses, respectively. Moreover, the maximum heating loads without a screen and for single-, double-, and the triple-layered screens were 0.65, 0.46, 0.41, and 0.34 MJ m−2, respectively. The analysis of different screens showed that Ph-77 (shading screen) combined with Ph-super (thermal screen) had the least heating requirements. The heating setpoint analysis predicted that using the designed day- and nighttime heating control setpoints can result in 3%, 15%, 14%, 15%, and 40% less heating load than when using the fixed value temperature control for November, December, January, February, and March, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Technology)
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22 pages, 3169 KiB  
Article
The Management of Agricultural Waste Biomass in the Framework of Circular Economy and Bioeconomy: An Opportunity for Greenhouse Agriculture in Southeast Spain
by Mónica Duque-Acevedo, Luis J. Belmonte-Ureña, José A. Plaza-Úbeda and Francisco Camacho-Ferre
Agronomy 2020, 10(4), 489; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy10040489 - 01 Apr 2020
Cited by 83 | Viewed by 11220
Abstract
For decades, non-renewable resources have been the basis of worldwide economic development. The extraction rate of natural resources has increased by 113% since 1990, which has led to overexploitation and generation of vast amounts of waste. For this reason, it is essential that [...] Read more.
For decades, non-renewable resources have been the basis of worldwide economic development. The extraction rate of natural resources has increased by 113% since 1990, which has led to overexploitation and generation of vast amounts of waste. For this reason, it is essential that a sustainable development model is adopted—one which makes it possible to produce more food and energy with fewer fossil fuels, low pollutant gas emissions and minimal solid waste. Certain management policies and approaches, such as the strategy of a circular ecocomy or bioeconomy, are oriented towards sustainable production and consumption. The present study focuses on the importance of intensive horticulture in the Mediterranean region, specifically in the province of Almería (Spain). After having conducted a study of the main crops in this area, it was determined that the waste biomass generated presented strong potential for exploitation. With the proper regulatory framework, which promotes and prioritises the circularity of agricultural waste, there are several opportunities for improving the current waste management model. In the same way, the results of the economic evaluation demonstrate that the alternative of self-management of waste biomass is profitable, specifically from tomato crops. Compost and green fertilizer production also prove to be a key strategy in the transition towards a more circular and sustainable agricultural production model. As for the said transition, government support is vital in terms of carrying out awareness campaigns and training activities and providing financing for Research and Development (R&D). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Technology)
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26 pages, 5569 KiB  
Article
Effects of Cover Whitening Concentrations on the Microclimate and on the Development and Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Inside Mediterranean Greenhouses
by María de los Ángeles Moreno-Teruel, Diego Valera, Francisco Domingo Molina-Aiz, Alejandro López-Martínez, Araceli Peña, Patricia Marín and Audberto Reyes-Rosas
Agronomy 2020, 10(2), 237; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy10020237 - 05 Feb 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3233
Abstract
This work analyzes the influence of whitening a greenhouse roof on the microclimate and yield of a tomato crop. In the west sectors of two multi-span greenhouses, a whitening concentration of 0.250 kg L−1 was used as a control. In an autumn–winter [...] Read more.
This work analyzes the influence of whitening a greenhouse roof on the microclimate and yield of a tomato crop. In the west sectors of two multi-span greenhouses, a whitening concentration of 0.250 kg L−1 was used as a control. In an autumn–winter cycle, a lower (0.125 kg L−1) and an increased (0.500 kg L−1) concentration were used in the east sectors of greenhouses 1 and 2. In a spring–summer cycle, the whitening concentrations in the east were varied depending on outside temperature. The effect of whitening on photosynthetic activity, production, plants’ morphological parameters, and the quality of the fruits were also analyzed. To evaluate the effect on microclimate, solar and photosynthetically active (PAR) radiations, air and soil temperatures, and heat flux in the soil were measured in greenhouse 1. Results show that excessive whitening leads to reductions of inside PAR radiation that decreases photosynthesis and crop yield. A whitening concentration of 0.500 kg L−1 is proposed at the beginning of the autumn–winter crop cycle, washing the cover when inside temperature drops to 35 °C. At the end of the spring–summer cycle, a concentration of 0.125 kg L−1 is recommended when inside temperature increases to 35 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Technology)
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17 pages, 15170 KiB  
Article
Ultraviolet Index (UVI) inside an Almería-Type Greenhouse (Southeastern Spain)
by Rubén A. García-Ruiz, Javier López-Martínez, José L. Blanco-Claraco, José Pérez-Alonso and Ángel J. Callejón-Ferre
Agronomy 2020, 10(1), 145; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy10010145 - 19 Jan 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5052
Abstract
Greenhouse workers, despite being in a space beneath a plastic cover, may be susceptible to risks associated to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in skin and eyes. The present work focuses on experimentally analysing this risk throughout a complete year. For this purpose, a network [...] Read more.
Greenhouse workers, despite being in a space beneath a plastic cover, may be susceptible to risks associated to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in skin and eyes. The present work focuses on experimentally analysing this risk throughout a complete year. For this purpose, a network of sensors has been designed, comprising 12 UV radiation measuring stations inside the greenhouse and one outside. It is shown that the UVI risk limit established by World Health Organization (WHO) is exceeded for some particular dates and times, thus there exist risk of damage caused by UV radiation for greenhouse workers. The results allow to identify the UV risk periods for the location studied. A diagram called “UVIgram” has been created which offers weather and UV radiation information for a particular location, for each month, and also in general for the whole year. Finally, a series of recommendations and protection measures are given, highlighting the whitening of the plastic cover of the greenhouse and an alarm system which has been designed to alert workers when UV risk exists. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Technology)
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18 pages, 564 KiB  
Article
An Integrated Yield Prediction Model for Greenhouse Tomato
by Dingyi Lin, Ruihua Wei and Lihong Xu
Agronomy 2019, 9(12), 873; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy9120873 - 11 Dec 2019
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 6094
Abstract
The commonly used greenhouse crop yield prediction models today have their specific application scenarios, which may not ensure the accuracy of the results if the greenhouse environment changes. This greatly restricts their use in the greenhouse environment. To solve this problem, two widely [...] Read more.
The commonly used greenhouse crop yield prediction models today have their specific application scenarios, which may not ensure the accuracy of the results if the greenhouse environment changes. This greatly restricts their use in the greenhouse environment. To solve this problem, two widely used tomato growth models were compared in the study: TOMGRO and Vanthoor, and then an integrated model was obtained. Through the extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (EFAST), the model parameters were divided into three categories: optimized, fixed and ignored. In addition, Bayesian optimization was used as an optimization algorithm, through which the parameters applicable to the greenhouse can be optimized based on the greenhouse data. Compared with TOMGRO and Vanthoor, the output of the integrated model was more reasonable and universal, and the RMSE in the integrated model was 2.5974 while that in TOMGRO and Vanthoor both were over 17, reflecting the fact that the model output was closer to the actual value. According to the verification results of four-year greenhouse data, the model had high performance in predicting yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Technology)
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23 pages, 5122 KiB  
Article
Application of Semi-Empirical Ventilation Models in A Mediterranean Greenhouse with Opposing Thermal and Wind Effects. Use of Non-Constant Cd (Pressure Drop Coefficient Through the Vents) and Cw (Wind Effect Coefficient)
by Alejandro López-Martínez, Francisco D. Molina-Aiz, Diego L. Valera-Martínez, Javier López-Martínez, Araceli Peña-Fernández and Karlos E. Espinoza-Ramos
Agronomy 2019, 9(11), 736; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy9110736 - 10 Nov 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2509
Abstract
The present work analyses the natural ventilation of a multi-span greenhouse with one roof vent and two side vents by means of sonic anemometry. Opening the roof vent to windward, one side vent to leeward, and the other side vents to windward (this [...] Read more.
The present work analyses the natural ventilation of a multi-span greenhouse with one roof vent and two side vents by means of sonic anemometry. Opening the roof vent to windward, one side vent to leeward, and the other side vents to windward (this last vent obstructed by another greenhouse), causes opposing thermal GT (m3 s−1) and wind effects Gw (m3 s−1), as outside air entering the greenhouse through the roof vent circulates downward, contrary to natural convection due to the thermal effect. In our case, the ventilation rate RM (h−1) in a naturally ventilated greenhouse fits a second order polynomial with wind velocity uo (RM = 0.37 uo2 + 0.03 uo + 0.75; R2 = 0.99). The opposing wind and thermal effects mean that ventilation models based on Bernoulli’s equation must be modified in order to add or subtract their effects accordingly—Model 1, in which the flow is driven by the sum of two independent pressure fields G M 1 = | G T 2 ± G w 2 | , or Model 2, in which the flow is driven by the sum of two independent fluxes G M 2 = | G T ± G w | . A linear relationship has been obtained, which allows us to estimate the discharge coefficient of the side vents (CdVS) and roof vent (CdWR) as a function of uo [CdVS = 0.028 uo + 0.028 (R2 = 0.92); CdWR = 0.036 uo + 0.040 (R2 = 0.96)]. The wind effect coefficient Cw was determined by applying models M1 and M2 proved not to remain constant for the different experiments, but varied according to the ratio uo/∆Tio0.5 or δ [CwM1 = exp(−2.693 + 1.160/δ) (R2 = 0.94); CwM2 = exp(−2.128 + 1.264/δ) (R2 = 0.98)]. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Technology)
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