Protected Cultivation Protected Cultivation TechnologyTechnology

Protected cultivation practices can be defined as Protected cultivation practices can be defined as a cropping technique wherein the micro climate a cropping technique wherein the micro climate surrounding the plant body is controlled partially surrounding the plant body is controlled partially or fully as per the requirement of the vegetable or fully as per the requirement of the vegetable species grown during their period of growth. species grown during their period of growth.

With the advancement in agriculture various With the advancement in agriculture various types of protected cultivation practices suitable types of protected cultivation practices suitable for a specific type of agro-climatic zone have for a specific type of agro-climatic zone have emerged. emerged.

Among these protective cultivation practices, Among these protective cultivation practices, Green house, Plastic house, Lath house, Cloth Green house, Plastic house, Lath house, Cloth house, Net house ,shade house, Hot beds and house, Net house ,shade house, Hot beds and Cold frames etc is useful for the central India. Cold frames etc is useful for the central India.

1. Green house 1. Green house

A greenhouse is a A greenhouse is a framed or an inflated framed or an inflated structure covered with a structure covered with a transparent or transparent or translucent material in translucent material in which crops could be which crops could be grown under the grown under the condition of at least condition of at least partially controlled partially controlled environment and which environment and which is large enough to is large enough to permit persons to work permit persons to work within it to carry out within it to carry out cultural operations. cultural operations.

Advantage of Green houseAdvantage of Green house

Under greenhouseUnder greenhouse one can grow crops one can grow crops under controlled environment and under controlled environment and throughout the year four to five crops can throughout the year four to five crops can be grown due to the availability of be grown due to the availability of required plant environmental conditions. required plant environmental conditions.

This helps in increased crop productivity This helps in increased crop productivity and superior quality of produce can be and superior quality of produce can be obtained. obtained.

Gadgets for efficient use of various inputs Gadgets for efficient use of various inputs like water, fertilizer, seeds and plant like water, fertilizer, seeds and plant protection chemicals can be well protection chemicals can be well maintained in a green house. maintained in a green house.

Pasts and disease can be effectively Pasts and disease can be effectively controlled in the growing enclosed area. controlled in the growing enclosed area.

Percentage of germination of seeds is high in Percentage of germination of seeds is high in greenhouse. greenhouse.

When the crops are not grown, drying and When the crops are not grown, drying and related operation of the harvested produce related operation of the harvested produce can be taken up utilizing the entrapped heat. can be taken up utilizing the entrapped heat.

Greenhouses are suitable for automation of Greenhouses are suitable for automation of irrigation, application of other inputs and irrigation, application of other inputs and environmental control by using computer environmental control by using computer and artificial intelligence techniques. and artificial intelligence techniques.

Self-employment for educated youth on farm Self-employment for educated youth on farm can be increased. can be increased.

Points to be considered for planning of Points to be considered for planning of green house constructiongreen house construction

  1. Site selection - size and future expansion1. Site selection - size and future expansion 2. Water supply - source - well, tank, 2. Water supply - source - well, tank,

pipeline, river, etc.pipeline, river, etc. 3. Fencing - type, gate, cattle trap, etc.3. Fencing - type, gate, cattle trap, etc. 4. Greenhouse - design, plant layout and 4. Greenhouse - design, plant layout and

working drawingworking drawing 5. Plant system - soil, pot, bags, platform or 5. Plant system - soil, pot, bags, platform or

soil less mediasoil less media 6. Irrigation - drip, sprinkler and ridge- 6. Irrigation - drip, sprinkler and ridge-

furrowfurrow 7. Ventilation - natural, forced and openings7. Ventilation - natural, forced and openings 8. Environmental factors - temperature, RH, 8. Environmental factors - temperature, RH,

carbon dioxidecarbon dioxide

REQUIREMENTS FOR GREENHOUSE REQUIREMENTS FOR GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

Site Selection for the Greenhouse:Site Selection for the Greenhouse:

Selection of geographical location of the land, Selection of geographical location of the land, price, transportation, and present and future price, transportation, and present and future effects of adjacent properties should be taken effects of adjacent properties should be taken into consideration.into consideration.

Topography of the LandTopography of the Land

It determines the amount of work and expense It determines the amount of work and expense that will be required to provide good surface that will be required to provide good surface drainage and efficient transportation.drainage and efficient transportation.

Transportation in and Around the Transportation in and Around the GreenhouseGreenhouse

This is an important factor. If the proposed This is an important factor. If the proposed site is hilly, it should be anticipated that site is hilly, it should be anticipated that considerable land preparation will be considerable land preparation will be required. required.

Access roads to the property will need to be Access roads to the property will need to be large enough and surfaced to handle large large enough and surfaced to handle large motor freight equipment .motor freight equipment .

The type of neighboring properties may have The type of neighboring properties may have varied affects on the greenhouse plants. varied affects on the greenhouse plants.

Greenhouse that were built outside of cities Greenhouse that were built outside of cities become surrounded by urban development become surrounded by urban development with increased pressure of urbanization may with increased pressure of urbanization may develop problems in future.develop problems in future.

UtilitiesUtilities ElectricityElectricity

Greenhouse businesses cannot have interruption of Greenhouse businesses cannot have interruption of electrical service for more than a few minutes electrical service for more than a few minutes without serious consequences.without serious consequences. Electrical shutdowns Electrical shutdowns that are a nuisance for a machine shop could be a that are a nuisance for a machine shop could be a disaster for a greenhouse.disaster for a greenhouse.

WaterWater The quality and quantity of water that is available The quality and quantity of water that is available to the site must be determined.to the site must be determined.If municipal water is available, usually it is If municipal water is available, usually it is acceptable for irrigation and for use in boilers with acceptable for irrigation and for use in boilers with some treatment. When water has to be supplied by some treatment. When water has to be supplied by well or pond on the site, there are some potential well or pond on the site, there are some potential problem. Extensive treatment may be needed for problem. Extensive treatment may be needed for boiler, make-up water.boiler, make-up water.

Economy of ConstructionEconomy of Construction

Ridge and furrow type construction is usually Ridge and furrow type construction is usually more economical and needs less land area.more economical and needs less land area.   

The house should be arranged in such a The house should be arranged in such a manner so that labour is conserved and the manner so that labour is conserved and the crop can be handled more effectively. crop can be handled more effectively.

The greenhouse should be constructed in The greenhouse should be constructed in such a way that vegetable can be harvested such a way that vegetable can be harvested and moved to the marketable areas very and moved to the marketable areas very easily.easily.

Framework for Various Types of Framework for Various Types of GreenhouseGreenhouse

The choice of materials for the framework The choice of materials for the framework of a greenhouse is based on structural of a greenhouse is based on structural strength, durability, initial cost, and strength, durability, initial cost, and maintenance costs. maintenance costs.

Wooden framework is used primarily for Wooden framework is used primarily for temporary or semi permanent structures. temporary or semi permanent structures.

The most durable wood with the least The most durable wood with the least maintenance cost is redwood. maintenance cost is redwood.

Steel framework has been used widely. Steel framework has been used widely. This dose requires painting to prevent rust, This dose requires painting to prevent rust,

but it is very satisfactory in other respects. but it is very satisfactory in other respects.

Steel frame house may have redwood or Steel frame house may have redwood or aluminum roof and wall bars as well as aluminum roof and wall bars as well as ventilator sash. ventilator sash.

Aluminum has become increasingly popular Aluminum has become increasingly popular for the greenhouse framework. for the greenhouse framework.

The roof wall bars and ventilating sash all The roof wall bars and ventilating sash all are made of aluminum. are made of aluminum.

The corrosion problem with aluminum is The corrosion problem with aluminum is slight, and the structure does not require slight, and the structure does not require painting. painting.

It should be kept in however, that the It should be kept in however, that the glazing procedure and maintenance are glazing procedure and maintenance are approximately the same for wood, steel, or approximately the same for wood, steel, or aluminum.aluminum.

COVERING MATERIALS FOR COVERING MATERIALS FOR GREENHOUSEGREENHOUSE

The greenhouse must be covered with as The greenhouse must be covered with as clear a material as possible to provide the clear a material as possible to provide the maximum amount of sunlight for the plants. maximum amount of sunlight for the plants.

The durability of the covering material, the The durability of the covering material, the initial cost, and the maintenance costs then initial cost, and the maintenance costs then determine the desirability of the material.determine the desirability of the material.

Fiberglass, Poly Film etc is used as covering Fiberglass, Poly Film etc is used as covering material for greenhouse. material for greenhouse.

HEATING AND COOLING OF HEATING AND COOLING OF GREENHOUSEGREENHOUSE

Accurate temperature control in the Accurate temperature control in the greenhouse is of great importance greenhouse is of great importance because the desired, best growth of because the desired, best growth of vegetables occurs within a limited vegetables occurs within a limited temperature range. temperature range.

Variations in this temperature may Variations in this temperature may result in a complete lack of growth or result in a complete lack of growth or extremely excessive development. extremely excessive development.

2. Plastic houses2. Plastic houses

These are common These are common use. use.

The cheap houses The cheap houses are made of are made of polythene and are polythene and are widely used.widely used.

3. Shade houses3. Shade houses Shade houses are Shade houses are

made with straight made with straight sides and a flat top. sides and a flat top.

The frame consists of The frame consists of cloth of light cloth of light transmission plastic; transmission plastic; shade slightly lowers shade slightly lowers maximum daily maximum daily temperature and temperature and slightly increases the slightly increases the relative humidity.relative humidity.

Lath houses have Lath houses have straight sides and a straight sides and a flat top. flat top.

The frame is similar to The frame is similar to that of shad houses, that of shad houses, but the cover is but the cover is movable lath sash. movable lath sash.

Lath houses are Lath houses are usually used to usually used to protect high light protect high light sensitive plants.sensitive plants.

4. Lath houses4. Lath houses

5. Hot beds5. Hot beds The frame of hot bed made of The frame of hot bed made of

concrete blocks which acts as an concrete blocks which acts as an effective insulator but obstruct effective insulator but obstruct light. light.

Reinforced polyester plastic is Reinforced polyester plastic is also used for frame. also used for frame.

It is light in weight, easy to It is light in weight, easy to handle and admits light, which handle and admits light, which however, is likely to decrease however, is likely to decrease with age. with age.

Hot beds are headed with the Hot beds are headed with the help of different heating systems help of different heating systems like hot air, hot water and like hot air, hot water and electricity, which are adopted electricity, which are adopted depending upon availability and depending upon availability and cost, systems. cost, systems.

6. Cold frames6. Cold frames The cold frame is made with The cold frame is made with

frame and the cover. frame and the cover. Cold frames are used to protect Cold frames are used to protect

plants from frosts heavy rains plants from frosts heavy rains and heavy winds. and heavy winds.

These are used in winter for These are used in winter for raising herbaceous leafy raising herbaceous leafy vegetable plants. During vegetable plants. During summer, cover may be summer, cover may be removed. removed.

Cold frames are of two types (i) Cold frames are of two types (i) temporary which is usually temporary which is usually made of wood, and (ii) made of wood, and (ii) permanent which is made of permanent which is made of concrete, concrete block and concrete, concrete block and bricks. bricks.

Selection of vegetablesSelection of vegetables The polyhouse cultivation is beneficial only when The polyhouse cultivation is beneficial only when

off- season vegetables are grown. off- season vegetables are grown. It is also useful in production of vegetable nursery It is also useful in production of vegetable nursery

under adverse weather conditions. under adverse weather conditions. The choice of crops depends upon the size of the The choice of crops depends upon the size of the

polyhouse structure, market demand as well as polyhouse structure, market demand as well as the expected market price. the expected market price.

While it is convenient to raise any vegetable crop While it is convenient to raise any vegetable crop in environmentally-controlled polyhouse during in environmentally-controlled polyhouse during any part of the year, the selection of crops is more any part of the year, the selection of crops is more critical in case of ordinary low-cost polyhouse. critical in case of ordinary low-cost polyhouse.

In subtropics, cucumber, bottle gourd, capsicum In subtropics, cucumber, bottle gourd, capsicum and tomato give quite remunerative yields during and tomato give quite remunerative yields during winter in low-cost polyhouse. With proper winter in low-cost polyhouse. With proper ventilation cabbage, early varieties of tropical ventilation cabbage, early varieties of tropical cauliflower and coriander can be successfully cauliflower and coriander can be successfully grown during summer/rainy season also.grown during summer/rainy season also.

Nursery raisingNursery raising Under normal weather conditions it is possible to Under normal weather conditions it is possible to

raise vegetable seedlings in open with ordinary raise vegetable seedlings in open with ordinary care. care.

But in some crops in certain seasons, the nursery But in some crops in certain seasons, the nursery is exposed to adverse weather which results in is exposed to adverse weather which results in heavy mortality of the seedlings. heavy mortality of the seedlings.

For example in many subtropical areas the For example in many subtropical areas the nursery period of early and mid season nursery period of early and mid season cauliflower coincides with the period of heavy cauliflower coincides with the period of heavy rainfall.rainfall.

Now it is well-established that if seeds of Now it is well-established that if seeds of cucurbits are sown in small plastic bags during cucurbits are sown in small plastic bags during winter and the seedlings are reared in polyhouse, winter and the seedlings are reared in polyhouse, they remain safe from frost injury and become they remain safe from frost injury and become ready for transplanting early in February to give ready for transplanting early in February to give early and remunerative harvest early and remunerative harvest

AftercareAftercare The nutritional requirements of crops grown in a The nutritional requirements of crops grown in a

polyhouse are similar to those of open field polyhouse are similar to those of open field grown crops. grown crops.

In polyhouse, the controlled irrigation, higher In polyhouse, the controlled irrigation, higher plant density and intensive cropping do not plant density and intensive cropping do not allow many weeds to grow.allow many weeds to grow.

Diseases and insects also pose problem in Diseases and insects also pose problem in polyhouse which should be controlled timely by polyhouse which should be controlled timely by using appropriate pesticides. using appropriate pesticides.

It is better to cover the ground surface with It is better to cover the ground surface with plastic sheet for about a month during summer plastic sheet for about a month during summer months to solarize the soil after 2-3 years gap. months to solarize the soil after 2-3 years gap.

During winters, mulching of the soil surface with During winters, mulching of the soil surface with polythene sheet may help in raising the soil polythene sheet may help in raising the soil temperature to favour the fruit set, checking the temperature to favour the fruit set, checking the weeds and conserving the soil moisture. weeds and conserving the soil moisture.