Greenhouse : Science and Technology

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Types of greenhouse. 3. Greenhouse construction. 4. Greenhouse heating and cooling. 5. Simple thermal model for greenhouse and parametric studies. 6. Analytical approach for calculation of solar radiation inside a semicylindrical greenhouse. 7. Time dependent thermal modelling of greenhouse. 8. Economic analysis. 9. Experimental studies for cultivation inside the greenhouse- a case study. References.   

"The greenhouse maintains an atmosphere congenial with regards to temperature, humidity, sunlight and carbon-dioxide concentration for the vigorous growth of different types of plants. It has been observed that an ability to exercise control over the crop microclimate results in many fold increase in the crop photosynthesis. Thus agricultural production per unit area could be increased to a great extent and crops can be taken over a wider period of time, if controlled environment practices are followed.

The present book gives a comprehensive view of various aspects of greenhouse technology. In this book, detailed experimental, theoretical and techno-economic studies have been undertaken. This book covers different designs of greenhouse suitable for different climatic zone, mathematical model to see the effect of various parameters viz. solar radiation, ambient temperature, ventilation rate etc. on the performance of greenhouse, a procedure to calculate the transmittance of solar radiation depending on angle of incidence through curved surface.

This book also covers a time dependent heat and mass transfer analysis of greenhouse to predict inside environmental conditions as well as heating and cooling requirements for maintaining congenial air temperature inside the greenhouse for all climatic zones. One case study has been  under taken for cultivation of safed musli and ornamental plants inside the greenhouse under composite climate of Udaipur (Rajasthan, India) and detailed economic analysis has been carried out for above case study using different economic indicators namely Net Present Work  (NPW), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Benefit-Cost Ratio (B/C Ratio) and Payback Period.

It is hoped that the book will be helpful for students, crop scientists, industrialists interested in designing and industrialist interested in designing and installing greenhouse, farmers and persons interested in greenhouse as they will get all the needed information compiled at one place." (jacket)