CO₂ ENRICHMENT IN SCANDINAVIA

It is a great interest for CO₂ enrichment of greenhouse crops in Scandinavia.
The main factors for this can be summarized as follows: 1) Increasing information about the effect of CO₂ enrichment on various crops, 2) More knowledgeable growers, 3) Tighter greenhouses, 4) Beneficial effects of CO₂ enrichment at low natural day light and with artificial lighting, 5) Reduced CO₂ flux from microbiological decomposition due to a less use of soil and organic material in the greenhouse, and 6) Improved equipment for CO₂ application and measurement of CO₂ concentration of the greenhouse atmosphere. 7) The development of computerized control of the total environment in the greenhouse including CO₂.

The main source of CO₂ is pure liquid CO₂ from bottles or containers.
Less important is the burning of kerosene and propane.
It is recommended to use pure CO₂ to sensitive crops because air pollution (CO, C₂H₄, SO₂, NO_x) is avoided.
Kerosene burning is mainly used on lettuce crops in Norway.

The overall effects of CO₂ enrichment are enhanced growth rate, higher yields and better plant quality.
Experience with CO₂ enrichment to some greenhouse crops are summarized (table 3). A CO₂ level of 800-1000 ul l^-1 is recommended for most crops.
Some unsolved problems with CO₂ application are pointed out.

Symposium on CO2 Enrichment

R. Moe

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1984.162.23