85858 - Greenhouse Crop Management

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the interactions between the climate outside of a greenhouse and the microclimate inside, the changes in major climatic parameters that affect crop growth and how to manage the microclimate in the greenhouse. The student also knows the main protection materials and technologies. The student is able to understand the main issues related to the cultivation in a controlled environment, also depending on the climate of the area in which is going to operate, and potential climate changing conditions and is able to know how to choose the protective materials. The student is able to define the distribution features, sizing and layout of the main functional units which make up the building system. The student is able to return drawings of design cases developed in the framework of guided exercises.

Course contents

1) Teaching programme (36 hours)

The course will mainly address the engineering aspects of the greenhouses and their interaction with growth and development of crops.

• General introduction (6 hours):
  • History;
  • Geographic distribution and analysis of the greenhouses sector in Italy and comparison with the systems used in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the rest of the world;
  • Environmental factors;
  • Policies;
  • Components of the production chain;
• Crop production in the greenhouse (2 hours):
  • biological mechanisms;
  • crop growth and development;
  • effects of growth factors;
• Management of the greenhouse climate and available technological solutions (6 hours):
  • energy sources and distribution systems;
  • oventilation, air conditioning and cooling systems;
  • screens;
  • CO₂ sources and distribution;
  • Radiation management;
• Management of the root environment (2 hours):
  • Factors and tools;
  • Control of water and mineral balance;
  • Water quality;
  • Salinity;
• Greenhouse systems (6 hours):
  • Passive greenhouse;
  • Climate controlled greenhouse;
  • (Semi) closed greenhouse;
  • Greenhouse types;
  • Constructions;
  • Cover materials
  • Crop system
• Cropping systems in the greenhouse (6 hours):
  • Soil based systems;
  • Mulching;
  • Irrigation management;
  • Fertilization management;
  • Plant protection;
  • Pollination;
  • Hydroponics (with case studies on specific crops);
  • Harvest systems;
• Economic and environmental analysis (4 hours):
  • Economic sustainability of greenhouse production;
  • Environmental analysis (including Life Cycle Analysis).
• Post-harvest (2 hours):
  • Vegetable processing equipments;
  • Standardization and storage;
  • Storage technologies;
• Greenhouse production strategies (2 hours):
  • Destination of the produce;
  • Production options;
  • Strategies in the Mediterranean climate

2) Technical visits (4 hr)
Visit company IPOM Redskins (http://www.ipom.biz/1/chi_siamo_755918.html) with soilless tomato greenhouse cultivation (4h)

3) Practical work (20 hr)
The course includes the following practical activities:

- Critical reading of scientific literature on a related subject and group work preparation of a literature review on main drawbacks and potential for innovation (6 hr)

- Practical exercise in working groups for the planning of an experimental plan aimed at improving the environmental sustainability of a technological component of a greenhouse (18h).

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching material

syllabus and slides available on AMSCampus

Textbook

Castilla, N. 2013. Greenhouse technology and Management. CABI

Other readings

Quaryoti M., Baudoin W., Nono Womdin R., Leonardi C., Hanafi A., De Pascale S. 2013. Guidelines on GAP for greenhouse horticulture in the Mediterranean Region. FAO-UN, Rome, Italy. FAO paper, AGP series, 217.

Teaching methods

The course consists of theoretical lectures, practical exercises and groupwork in classroom and in greenhouse, technical visits.

Assessment methods

Multiple choice test (80%)

Evaluation of the elaborate of the group exercise (20%)

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations, exercise, theoretical and practical workshops.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Orsini