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Greenhouse Production
Protected Cultivation….

The Greenhouse
• Specialized structure for Crop Production
• Composed of frame (superstructure) and Cladding
(Plastic/glass/fiberglass)
• Enable qualitative and quantitative control of abiotic and biotic
factors of production
• These include Light, Air, Temperature, Pest incidence, media quality
etc…

Advantages of Greenhouse Production Disadvantages of Greenhouse Production

1. Climate control • High initial cost of installation
2. Reduction in water usage • High maintenance costs
3. Modification of growing environment-Shorter production cycle • Need for skilled labor-Expensive
4. Exclusion of Pests and diseases • Often provide ideal environment for pests and disease organisms.
5. Facilitates Production of High quality produce
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SOIL-LESS CULTURE Definition; Soil less culture

Growing Plants without soil…
• Any technique used to grow plants without the use of soil
• Often described in relation to the substrate employed, hence;
• Water cultures
• Aeroponic culture
• Media Cultures
• Often referred to by the generic term ‘hydroponics’ (water-work)

Benefits of soil-less culture

1. Eliminates the problems that arise from soil-borne pathogens, the
need to sterilize soil, and the decline of soil structure and fertility
due to continual cultivation
2. Decreased application of pesticides and other toxic agrochemicals,
which are often necessary in soil-grown crops
3. The accurate management of plant nutrition, whereby it is possible
to maintain fertilizer levels within defined limits, enhancing plant
growth while limiting unnecessary wastage.

Hydroponic systems Water culture

• Are often divided into two general categories; • Also referred to as aquaculture
• Various types;
1. Liquid hydroponic systems • Deep flow Technique
Here, the plant roots have no support other than the nutrient solution • Disadvantages: large amounts of nutrient solution required by the system
The nutrient solution must be kept aerated at all times

2. Aggregate systems • Continuous flow systems

In such systems, the plant roots are grown in solid particulate material, through which • Nutrient Film technique
nutrient solutions are flushed while old solutions are removed by leaching • Aeroponics
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Aggregate culture Properties of a good hydroponic substrate

• Involves the use of supportive solid substrates 1. Inert, non reactive chemical nature
2. pH neutral
• Often referred to as aggregate systems
3. High degree of porosity
• Plant roots are grown in solid particulate material, through which 4. Low bulk density
nutrient solutions are flushed while old solutions are removed by 5. Applicable in natural form without need for processing
leaching 6. Readily mined or produced by the industry
• Substrate can be of inorganic or organic origin 7. Stable in quality, with no decrease of physical properties over time
8. Low cost
9. Resistant to repeated sterilization without loss in structural quality
10. Pest and disease free
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Examples of inorganic substrates Examples of organic substrates

1. Pumice stone 1. Coco peat or Coir
2. Rockwool 2. Rice Husks
3. polyurethane foam 3. Wood fiber
4. clay granules 4. Sawdust
5. Perlite
5. Carborized rice husks
6. scoria
7. Sand
8. Gravel
9. Glass

Nutrient solutions Nutrient solution; Rose Generic

• Aqueous solution of ions.
• Primary among the dissolved cations are Ca2+ (calcium),
Mg2+(magnesium), and K+
(potassium)
• Major anions in nutrient solu ons include NO−3 (nitrate), SO2−4
(sulfate), and H2PO−4 (dihydrogen phosphate).
• Many formulations available, including Hoagland solution and its
modifications.

Recap: Benefits of Soil less culture

1. Provides a controlled environment for the growth of plants thus
removing unknown aspects from production.
2. Often more profitable for the farmer since it enhances the
production of high quality plants in less time.
3. Eliminates the incidence of soil-born diseases
4. Maximizes space usage Precision Agriculture
5. Requires less water Cloud based production…..
6. Reduces usage of insecticides and preservative.
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Precision Agriculture
How does Precision Agriculture work?
• A crop management system that attempts to match inputs with • Information
actual crop needs for small areas or zones within a farm field. • Global Positioning
• Why do we need precision agriculture? System (GPS)
– Population growth
– Limited resources: e.g., arable land and water
• Yield Monitoring
– Economics Mapping
– Environmental protection • Soil Mapping
– Climate change
• Weed Mapping

Precision Agriculture: Variable rate

Precision Agriculture: Various Applications
Technology
• Precision Crop Production
- Increase efficiencies in the production process
• Precision Livestock Farming
– Increase profit margins in animal production
- Well-being of each animal
• Precision fish farming
Technology needed
• Sensors for data collection – Based on principles of Precision Livestock Farming
• Computer hardware and software -Monitoring of biological processes in fish farms
• Field zone application map
• Equipment capable of changing rates
• Global Positioning System (GPS)

Further Reading
• Mechanization of Crop
Production;
• Benefits and Challenges
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CAT Comments;

• Do not waste time writing the question.

• Read and answer the questions asked (Breathe!)
• Use specific examples wherever possible (Specific!!!)