Protected Cultivation

in Horticulture
Genhua Niu
gniu@ag.tamu.edu

Where is future agriculture?

Agriculture

production is threatened by
severe climate.
Shortage of irrigation water affects
organic agriculture.
Global climate change models show
increases in frequency of extreme drought
and wet periods.

The California Central Valley

The Central Valley is one of
the world's most productive
agricultural regions.
On less than 1 percent of the
total farmland in the United
States, the Central Valley
produces 8 percent of the
nation's agricultural output
by value.
Water quantity and quality
are the biggest threaten

Outline
Types

of protected cultivation overview

US greenhouse production
High Tech
Low Tech (low to high tunnel)
Chinese style solar greenhouse
Closed plant production system
Plant factory

Outline
Types

of protected cultivation overview

US greenhouse production
High Tech
Low Tech (high tunnel)
Chinese style solar greenhouse
Closed plant production system
Plant factory

Type of protected cultivation

Rain

shelter /screen or net house

Plastic and Glass greenhouses
Plant Factory (Vertical Farming, Urban
Agriculture, etc.)

Screen house for vegetables

Plastic house for grape production

Jiaxing, China 2012

Texas

Japan transplant production

Multi-layer tunnels to increase
protection from heat loss

Feb. 2009

Stand alone greenhouse

Multi-span greenhouse

Solar greenhouse is
the main type of
greenhouse in
northern China
Outside thermal cover

North Roof

South Roof

North Wall
N

E
South roof
W

From Prof. Ma Chenwei of CAU

of the
greenhouse
in China is
solar GH.

Greenhouse with multi-layers, Beijing, China

Plant factory at Tamagawa University in Japan

Plant Factory, Beijing, China

Benefits of Protective Structures

Protection

against the impact of heavy

rainfall
Protection against temperature extremes
Protection against biotic stresses due to
pests and diseases

Total areas of greenhouse production (Kacira)

Country

The top 10
countries

1. China
2. S. Korea
3. Spain
4. Japan
5. Turkey
6. Italy
7. Mexico
8. Holland
9. France
10. United States

Area (ha)
2,760,000
57,444
52,170
49,049
39,400
26,500
11,759
10,370
9,620
8,425

Protected cultivation in China (by 2008)

Solar
GH

18.5%
18.5%
Plastic
GH

38.9%
38.9%
Simple Solar

GH,
3.46%
3.46%
Low
tunnels
38.2%
38.2%

Simple
heating GH,

0.58%
0.58%

Multi-span
GH,
0.39%
0.38%

Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

Tunnels in China

Credit: Dr. M GU

Tunnels in China

Credit: Dr. M GU

Tunnels in China

Credit: Dr. M GU

Tunnels in China

Credit: Dr. M GU

Outline
Types

of protected cultivation overview

US greenhouse production
High Tech
Low Tech (high tunnel)
Chinese style solar greenhouse
Closed plant production system
Plant factory

U.S. Greenhouse production

Challenges of the US Greenhouse Growers

(based on 2010 survey, Kacira)
Item

West

M_West

S_West

N_East

S_East

Competition

22.6%

22.0%

26.7%

19.6%

23.9%

Energy costs

9.7%

20.3%

0%

39.1%

10.9%

Input costs

9.7%

20.3%

0%

17.4%

26.1%

Transportation 6.5%

0%

13.3%

4.3%

2.2%

Labor costs

29%

25.4%

40.0%

8.7%

23.9%

Water

9.7%

0%

6.7%

0%

2.2%

Other

12.9%

11.9%

12.9%

10.9%

10.9%

1. Labor costs 25.4%, 2 Competition 23%, 3 Energy costs 16%

 2014

Survey results show:

U.S. Greenhouse Technology

(High Technology)

High Tech Greenhouses

Climate is controlled
automatically
Ebb and flood floors
or benches
Automation and
operation
Thermal screen, bug
screens

EuroFresh Farms, Wilcox, Arizona

EuroFresh Farms, Wilcox, AZ

Founded

in PA in 1990 by third generation

Dutch greenhouse owners.
1992, moved to Wilcox, Arizona with
abundant light.
In 2002, expanded to 318 acres in
Snowflake, AZ.

Glass venlo type, automatically

controlled climate.
Tomatoes and cucumbers and
other crops

Village Farms
Marfa, Texas
US, Mexico, DR

Hydroponically grown tomatoes, bell peppers,

and cucumbers.
Fresh, Sustainable, Sweet, Quality
Leading grower and marketer of branded, highquality hydroponic greenhouse grown produce
in North America.

Village Farms

Water conservation. Water and fertilizer are

recycled for four times. Use 86% less water
than field grown tomatoes.
Land Preservation. Use reusable coconut fiber
to support the plants.
Integrated pest management. Use beneficial
insects to control pests.
Recycling CO2. Pump the CO2 from heat boilers
back to the greenhouse.

BACKYARD FARMS
Built

in recent years in Maine.

Glass greenhouse, venlo type.
Rock wool hydroponic
Vine-ripened tomatoes.

Other high-Tech greenhouse

production companies
Houwelings

Tomatoes, CA (family

owned)
Windset Farms, NV (Many kinds of
vegetables)
Wholesum Harvest, AZ (many kinds
of vegetables)

Plastic Greenhouses
(High Tunnel, Low Technology)

High Tunnels

Growing system between

greenhouse and row covers;
inexpensive.
No precision control of environment.
But do modify the environment to
improve yield, quality, and extend the
growing season (spring, fall.
Prevention of rain, wind, creatures,
etc. Reduce the use of pesticide.
Other names: hoop houses, polyhouses, or cold-frames

Status of High Tunnels in the U.S.

It

is relatively new using HT for the

production of vegetables, fruits and
flowers.
It is not until early 90s the potential
benefits of HT was reported for
production.
A few years ago, USDA NRCS started a
HT initiative program (subsidizing
growers).
Thousands of HTs have been built
through this program.

12-05-2009; Crystal Springs, MS

Credit: Dr. M GU

7:18 am; 12-05-2009 Crystal Springs

Credit: Dr. M GU

4:29 pm; 01-12-2011 Crystal Springs

Credit: Dr. M GU

High Tunnel in Lubbock

Credit: Dr. Wallace

HT Strawberries 4.12.13
Credit: Dr. Wallace

Peppers Bell
Credit: Dr. Wallace

Peppers
Slide credit: Wallace

Multi Color Snapdragons

HT Stocks Feb. 2013

Slide
Credit:
credit:
Dr. J.Wallace
Masabni

Blackeyes 7.31.13
Credit: Dr. Wallace

Mississippi Purple 8.6.13

Credit: Dr. Wallace

Outline
Types

of protected cultivation overview

US greenhouse production
High Tech
Low Tech (high tunnel)
Chinese style solar greenhouse
Closed plant production system
Plant factory

Protected Cultivation in China

(with emphasis on Solar GH)

Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

Chinese Style Solar Greenhouse

Credit: Prof.
Prof. Ma
Ma of
of CAU
CAU
Credit:

Main Components of a Solar GH

Outside
thermal cover

North wall

North Roof

Roof height

Width
N. Roof

South Roof

Wall height

Span

Slide Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

Characteristics of Solar GH

Single Span, East West.

Length: 50-100 m; Width: 6-12 m.

North wall: opaque, heavy material for

thermal insulation and heat retention.

South roof: arch shape with good light

interception.

Use thermal blanket on the roof at night.

Credit: Prof.
Prof. Ma
Ma of
of CAU
CAU
Credit:

Min temp outside

-15 ~ -10
Minimum temp inside
5 ~ 10
N

Average temp inside 21-25 C without

heating during the day

Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

Sunny day

35
30
25

25 ~30

()

20
15

10
5

18 ~ 20

0
-5
-10

12

16

20

-15
()

Credit: Prof.
Prof. Ma
Ma of
of CAU
CAU
Credit:

35

Cloudy day

30
25

()

20
15

18 ~22

10
5
0
-5
-10

12

16

20

15 ~ 18

-15
()

Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

Reasons for a better thermal environment

1. Better light interception
Average light transmission

45%~60%

Conventional GH

60%~80%

Solar GH

South-facing wall; fewer structures

On average, 15% higher.
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

2. North Wall accumulates and store solar energy

Solar heat
absorbed by
north wall
Solar energy
absorbed by
the floor
N

For the same area, Solar GH absorbed 4070% more solar energy.
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

3. Better thermal insulation

Heat transfer coefficient
3~5W/(m2)

Conventional GH

1.2~1.6W/(m2)

Solar GH

Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

4. Heat storage and heating

1/2~2/3
1/3~1/2

150~350W/m2
N

S
100~250W/m2

Solar heat stored during the day

releases back to the greenhouse.

Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

Protected cultivation in China

Solar
GH

18.5%
18.5%
Plastic
GH

38.9%
38.9%
Simple Solar

GH,
3.46%
3.46%
Low
tunnels
38.2%
38.2%

Simple
heating GH,

0.58%
0.58%

Multi-span
GH,
0.39%
0.38%

Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

Problems and Challenges

Most solar GHs are built by growers

themselves, no standard, leading to variations
in performance.
Low temperature and cold injury are common.
Lack of control facility and instruments
Low efficiency in management; laborious.
Use too much soil to build north wall.
Low land use efficiency.
Not well-documented in theory (design,
theoretical analysis, modeling, etc.)

Low land use efficiency (< 50%)

Shading part cant be used efficiently

Trends for future development

Number of solar GH is increasing steadily in

various locations and quality is also improving.
Variety increased for various climate and usage.
Optimization of design and construction.
New materials to be developed with better
quality for thermal absorption and storage.
New materials for rooftop cover to replace straw
and shutter machine for easy operation.

Trends for future development

Improve solar energy use efficiency; utilize

energy from wind and geothermal.
Adding comprehensive environmental control
equipment.
Develop standards for solar GH design and
construction.
Fundamental research on thermal environment
and modeling.

Outline
Types

of protected cultivation overview

US greenhouse production
High Tech
Low Tech (high tunnel)
Chinese style solar greenhouse
Closed plant production system
Controlled environment indoor

Vertical Farming
Indoor Controlled Environment

Greenhouse with multi-layers, Beijing, China

Tamagawa Univ

Plant Factory, Beijing, China

Advantages

Higher production
Higher quality produce
Grow plants anywhere at any season
Local for local
Higher water use efficiency
Higher space use efficiency
Low use of agrochemicals

Challenges
Higher initial investment
Higher degree of management
Not all crops are suitable to be
profitable in a controlled
environment.

TerraSphere

Established in 2003 to develop a highly efficient,

environmentally superior, urban based produce
growth system.
Between 2003-2007, a pilot facility was built in
Vancouver, Canada and was improved in the
following years.
Boston, MA.

TerraSphere

Full control of the growth environment (water,

nutrient, light, temperature).
Full containment so that plants are not exposed
to pollutants.
Continuous, year-round growth.
The ability to site facilities in virtually any
location.

GREEN APPLIED SCIENCES

(https://greenappliedsciences.com/)

Vertical Tower Unit with

Spinning lights in the
middle.
Hydroponics
De-humidification,
heating, cooling
systems.

High-Tech Greenhouse Planned for Vancouver parking Garage

Rooftop greenhouse and gardens

Brooklyn, NY
(Rooftop GH)

Gothan Greens was founded in 2008

To produce local, urban farm operation for
freshest, high quality culinary ingredients,
year-round.
First commercial scale rooftop greenhouse
was built in the U.S. in 2011.

Rooftop Garden/Farming, Chicago

Uncommon Ground, a certified

green restaurant in Chicago,
hosts an organic farm on its
rooftop.

Organic Rooftop Farm, Chicago, IL

Organic Rooftop Farm, Chicago, IL

Higher Ground Farm

Bostons First Commercial Roof Farm

Book on Vertical Farm

The Vertical Farm: Feeding the world in
the 21st Century
By Prof. Dickson Despommier
Public Health in Environmental Health
Sciences at Columbia University

Indoor Vertical Farming - Microgreens

Vertical farming for Microgreens

Microgreens: salad crop

shoots harvested for
consumption within 7 to 15
days after seeding, between
sprouts and baby salads.

Grower Supply
Vertical Lettuce and herb growing system

Vertical growing
plant chambers by

Hort Americas

Books on Microgreens
from Amazon.com

ARS News Service January 23, 2014

Specialty Greens Pack a Nutritional Punch

Scientists at USDA ARS analyzed the key nutrients in 25

different varieties of vegetable microgreens.
Different microgreens contained widely differing amounts of
vitamins and carotenoids.
microgreens contained considerably higher levels of
vitamins and carotenoids, about five times greaterthan
their mature plant counterparts.
Among the 25 microgreens tested, red cabbage, cilantro,
garnet amaranth, and green daikon radish had the highest
concentrations of vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin K and
vitamin E, respectively.
Growing, harvesting, and handling conditions may have a
considerable effect on nutrient content.

Worldwide Movement in Vertical Farming

Interests in controlled environment agriculture are steadily

increasing.
Vertical farming in a indoor controlled facilities is increasing
with high value crops leafy greens, baby greens,
microgreens, medicinal plants, etc.
Led by Japan, many Asian countries are now growing
short-statue vegetables, herbs, and medicinal plants under
artificial lighting in controlled environment.
New indoor controlled growing facilities are being (or to be)
built in USA, Canada, The Netherlands, Singapore,
Mongolia.
Middle eastern countries are considering