This document discusses various types of protected cultivation techniques in horticulture, including greenhouses and high tunnels. It provides an overview of greenhouse production in the US and China, focusing on high-tech greenhouses, plastic greenhouses, solar greenhouses, and closed plant production systems like vertical farming and plant factories. Protected cultivation techniques provide benefits such as protection from weather extremes and pests, but come with challenges such as high costs. Emerging trends include improving energy efficiency, adding environmental controls, developing design standards, and conducting research to optimize growing conditions.

1. Protected Cultivation
in Horticulture
Genhua Niu
gniu@ag.tamu.edu

2.  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.
Where is future agriculture?

4. • 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
The California Central Valley

5. 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

6. Types of protected cultivation -
overview
US greenhouse production
High Tech
Low Tech (high tunnel)
Chinese style solar greenhouse
Closed plant production system –
Plant factory
Outline

7. Type of protected cultivation
 Rain shelter /screen or net house
 Plastic and Glass greenhouses
 Plant Factory (Vertical Farming, Urban
Agriculture, etc.)

8. Screen house for vegetables
Plastic house for grape production
Jiaxing, China 2012

9. Texas

10. Japan – transplant production
Feb. 2009
Multi-layer tunnels to increase
protection from heat loss

11. Stand alone greenhouse
Multi-span greenhouse

12. W
E
South roof
Outside thermal cover
N S
North Wall
North Roof
South Roof
¼ of the
greenhouse
in China is
solar GH.
Solar greenhouse is
the main type of
greenhouse in
northern China
From Prof. Ma Chenwei of CAU

13. Greenhouse with multi-layers, Beijing, China

14. Plant factory at Tamagawa University in Japan

15. Plant Factory, Beijing, China

16.  Protection against the impact of heavy
rainfall
 Protection against temperature extremes
 Protection against biotic stresses due to
pests and diseases
Benefits of Protective Structures

17. Country Area (ha)
1. China 2,760,000
2. S. Korea 57,444
3. Spain 52,170
4. Japan 49,049
5. Turkey 39,400
6. Italy 26,500
7. Mexico 11,759
8. Holland 10,370
9. France 9,620
10. United States 8,425
Total areas of greenhouse production (Kacira)
The top 10
countries

18. Protected cultivation in China (by 2008)
小拱棚
38.2%
大中型塑料
棚38.9%
大型连栋温
室0.39%
简易加温温
室0.58%
普通日光温
室3.46%
节能型日光
温室18.5%
Plastic GH
38.9%
Low tunnels
38.2%
Solar GH
18.5%
Simple Solar
GH, 3.46%
Simple heating GH,
0.58%
Multi-span GH,
0.38%
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

19. Credit: Dr. M GU
Tunnels in China

20. Credit: Dr. M GU
Tunnels in China

21. Credit: Dr. M GU
Tunnels in China

22. Credit: Dr. M GU
Tunnels in China

23. Types of protected cultivation -
overview
US greenhouse production
High Tech
Low Tech (high tunnel)
Chinese style solar greenhouse
Closed plant production system –
Plant factory
Outline

24. U.S. Greenhouse production

25. 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%
Challenges of the US Greenhouse Growers
(based on 2010 survey, Kacira)
1. Labor costs 25.4%, 2 Competition 23%, 3 Energy costs 16%

27. 2014 Survey results show:

28. U.S. Greenhouse Technology
(High Technology)

29. • Climate is controlled
automatically
• Ebb and flood floors
or benches
• Automation and
operation
• Thermal screen, bug
screens
High Tech Greenhouses

30. EuroFresh Farms, Wilcox, Arizona

31.  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.
EuroFresh Farms, Wilcox, AZ

32.  Glass venlo type, automatically
controlled climate.
 Tomatoes and cucumbers and
other crops

37.  Hydroponically grown tomatoes, bell peppers,
and cucumbers.
 Fresh, Sustainable, Sweet, Quality
 Leading grower and marketer of branded, high-
quality hydroponic greenhouse grown produce
in North America.
Village Farms
Marfa, Texas
US, Mexico, DR

38.  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.
Village Farms

39. Built in recent years in Maine.
Glass greenhouse, venlo type.
Rock wool hydroponic
Vine-ripened tomatoes.
BACKYARD FARMS

40. Houweling’s Tomatoes, CA (family
owned)
Windset Farms, NV (Many kinds of
vegetables)
Wholesum Harvest, AZ (many kinds
of vegetables)
Other high-Tech greenhouse
production companies

41. Plastic Greenhouses
(High Tunnel, Low Technology)

42.  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, poly-
houses, or cold-frames
High Tunnels

43.  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.
Status of High Tunnels in the U.S.

44. 12-05-2009; Crystal Springs, MS
Credit: Dr. M GU

45. 7:18 am; 12-05-2009 Crystal Springs
Credit: Dr. M GU

46. 4:29 pm; 01-12-2011 Crystal Springs
Credit: Dr. M GU

47. High Tunnel in Lubbock
Credit: Dr. Wallace

48. HT Strawberries 4.12.13
Credit: Dr. Wallace

49. Peppers Bell
Credit: Dr. Wallace

50. Peppers
Slide credit: Wallace

51. Multi Color Snapdragons HT Stocks Feb. 2013
Slide credit: J. MasabniCredit: Dr. Wallace

52. Blackeyes 7.31.13
Credit: Dr. Wallace

53. Mississippi Purple 8.6.13
Credit: Dr. Wallace

54. Types of protected cultivation -
overview
US greenhouse production
High Tech
Low Tech (high tunnel)
Chinese style solar greenhouse
Closed plant production system –
Plant factory
Outline

55. Protected Cultivation in China
(with emphasis on Solar GH)
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

56. Chinese Style Solar Greenhouse
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAUCredit: Prof. Ma of CAU

57. Main Components of a Solar GH
SN
Outside
thermal cover
Span
North Roof
Roof height
Width
N. Roof
Wall height
Northwall
South Roof
Slide Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

58.  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.
Characteristics of Solar GH
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAUCredit: Prof. Ma of CAU

59. SN
Min temp outside
-15 ~ -10℃
Minimum temp inside
5 ~ 10℃
Average temp inside 21-25 C without
heating during the day
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

60. -15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
0 4 8 12 16 20 0 4 8
时刻(时)
气温(℃)
室外气温
室内气温
25 ~30℃
18 ~ 20℃
Sunny day
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAUCredit: Prof. Ma of CAU

61. -15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
0 4 8 12 16 20 0 4 8
时刻(时)
气温(℃)
室外气温
室内气温
18 ~22℃
15 ~ 18℃
Cloudy day
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

62. Average light transmission
45%~60%
Conventional GH
60%~80%
Solar GH
Reasons for a better thermal environment
1. Better light interception
South-facing wall; fewer structures
On average, 15% higher.
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

63. Solar energy
absorbed by
the floor
SN a
2. North Wall accumulates and store solar energy
Solar heat
absorbed by
north wall
For the same area, Solar GH absorbed 40-
70% more solar energy.
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

64. 3~5W/(m2·℃)
Conventional GH
1.2~1.6W/(m2·℃)
Solar GH
3. Better thermal insulation
Heat transfer coefficient
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

65. SN
1/3~1/2
1/2~2/3
150~350W/m2
100~250W/m2
4. Heat storage and “heating”
Solar heat stored during the day
releases back to the greenhouse.
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

66. Protected cultivation in China
小拱棚
38.2%
大中型塑料
棚38.9%
大型连栋温
室0.39%
简易加温温
室0.58%
普通日光温
室3.46%
节能型日光
温室18.5%
Plastic GH
38.9%
Low tunnels
38.2%
Solar GH
18.5%
Simple Solar
GH, 3.46%
Simple heating GH,
0.58%
Multi-span GH,
0.38%
Credit: Prof. Ma of CAU

67.  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.)
Problems and Challenges

68. Low land use efficiency (< 50%)
Shading part can’t be used efficiently

69.  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

70.  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.
Trends for future development

71. 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
Outline

72. Vertical Farming –
Indoor Controlled Environment

73. Greenhouse with multi-layers, Beijing, China

74. Tamagawa Univ

75. Plant Factory, Beijing, China

76. 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

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

78.  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

79.  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.
TerraSphere

80.  Vertical Tower Unit with
Spinning lights in the
middle.
 Hydroponics
 De-humidification,
heating, cooling
systems.
GREEN APPLIED SCIENCES
(https://greenappliedsciences.com/)

82. High-Tech Greenhouse Planned for Vancouver parking Garage

83. Rooftop greenhouse and gardens

84.  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.
Brooklyn, NY
(Rooftop GH)

86. Uncommon Ground, a certified
green restaurant in Chicago,
hosts an organic farm on its
rooftop.
Rooftop Garden/Farming, Chicago

87. Organic Rooftop Farm, Chicago, IL

88. Organic Rooftop Farm, Chicago, IL

89. Higher Ground Farm –
Boston’s First Commercial Roof Farm

90. 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

91. Indoor Vertical Farming - Microgreens

92.  Microgreens: salad crop
shoots harvested for
consumption within 7 to 15
days after seeding, between
sprouts and baby salads.
Vertical farming for Microgreens

93. Grower Supply
Vertical Lettuce and herb growing system

94. Vertical growing
plant chambers by
Hort Americas

95. Books on Microgreens
from Amazon.com

96.  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 greater—than
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.
ARS News Service – January 23, 2014
Specialty Greens Pack a Nutritional Punch

97.  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 …
Worldwide Movement in Vertical Farming