Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
necessary to also integrate plant growth
management and economic aspects of pro-
duction with the climate control and ferti-
gation, so that the new generation of growers
will have to be experts in interpreting and
using technical information in decision
making (Papadopoulos and Hao, 1997a, b).
Before this happens, it will be necessary to
generate the required information about
plant growth and other non-documented
aspects of the local conditions.
Communication with the user
The user can change the program set points
and also identify the factors that must be
considered to respect the set points, inter-
vention priorities, and intervention delays.
Communication with the user allows for
remote control of equipment when the
appropriate communication interface is
available. The most commonly used sys-
tems are wireless communication (by radio-
frequency), and phone and wire (with
conventional cable) communication.
An essential aspect to take into account
in communication with the user is the alarm
notification in case of serious failure.
All the data registered during the day
can be stored. In addition, the system may
have the usual performance of a personal
computer, providing it with the required
elements (data visualization screens, data
downloading, printer, etc.).
12.3
Mechanization
12.3.1
Introduction
In the conception of the general arrange-
ment of a greenhouse, besides the structural
design and energy considerations (see
Chapter 4), other aspects that must be taken
into account include: (i) accessibility to all
points of the greenhouse; (ii) efficient use of
the available machinery; and (iii) for the
labour force, ergonomic efficiency.
Labour costs, which constitute the main
variable cost in most greenhouses (see
Chapter 14), can be decreased with: (i) aids
that assist with transport and management
(e.g. trolleys, vehicles; Photo 12.1); (ii) better
Integrated management of fertigation and
climate control is already used in some
modern commercial greenhouses.
In the future, in order to optimize con-
trol in well-equipped greenhouses it will be
