COMPARISON OF GLASSHOUSE TYPES

In glasshouses the light and temperature conditions are important for the cropping results.
The amount of available light and the possibilities for an adequate temperature control are dependent on the shape of the glasshouse.
Theoretically, the best cropping results may be expected in glasshouses with the highest light transmission.
These glasshouses are the most expensive ones too, in respect of the investment and running costs.
The grower, however, is interested in the glasshouse type in which maximum nett returns are obtained.

For a comparison on a practical scale four different types of glasshouses of the same area were erected at the Institute of Horticultural Engineering at Wageningen in 1958. The available cropping results of tomatoes in heated houses will be discussed.

The data indicated that cropping results increase with the width of the spans.
This holds especially for the earliness of the yield.
In addition, the total yields were affected by the height of the gutters.
From the data concerning the yields and the costs the most profitable glasshouse for a definite holding can be calculated.
Finally, some provisional results of heat consumption measurements will be communicated.

Symposium on Glasshouse Construction and Automation

G.H. Germing

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1965.2.7