COVERING MATERIALS FOR GREENHOUSES

The most communonly used in Europe greenhouse covering materials are reviewed.
Their optimal properties as well as their operational radiometric and thermal characteristics are defined.
Some horticultural practical inferences are drawn from the confrontation of more than hundred technical charts.

Tomatoes cultivation tests in full-size classical greenhouses covered with low emissivity or horticultural glass are then reported.
Extensive climatic and physiological measurements are described.
The results show that low emissivity cover induces specific microclimate and physiological activity.
It leads to significant energy savings and does not handicap crop production even when traditional cultivation technique is applied.
The yield is over 53 kg/m² for 1991.

European Seminar New Technologies for the Rational Use of Energy in Greenhouse Horticulture in Northern Europe

J. DELTOUR, G. PIRARD, Ph. de WERGIFOSSE

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1992.312.6