6.1.3. Glasshouse systems

 

Glasshouses are used in some countries to control conditions for plant growth, especially when the local outside environment isn't ideal for plants. 

Glass traps heat, and inside glasshouses, atmospheric conditions can be controlled.

1. Carbon dioxide enrichment

• atmospheric air is only 0.04% CO₂  --> can easily become a limiting factor
• a glasshouse is a closed system --> air content is controlled
• CO₂  can be increased by
• burning fossil fuels in greenhouse
• release pure CO₂  from a gas cylinder

2. Optimum light

On cloudy and dark days, light conditions aren't ideal (e.g.: winter). They can be improved with artificial lights. Make sure the lights chosen have a suitable wavelength for the plants!

3. Optimum temperature

If temperature conditions are too cold (e.g.: winter), a heating system can be turned on, or fossil fuels burned. Many colder countries use this method to grow crop plants indoors e.g.: tomatoes.

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