Articles
THE GREENHOUSE CARE SYSTEM: A DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR HEIGHT CONTROL AND SCHEDULING OF POTTED FLOWERING PLANTS
Article number
417_4
Pages
41 – 46
Language
Abstract
Control of elongation and time of flowering are major challenges in the production of high-quality potted plants.
Graphical tracking is a technique that allows growers to compare actual measured plant height with a target height curve and make height-control decisions based on this comparison. The Greenhouse CARE System was developed as a computer decision-support tool to graphically track poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Klotz.), Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.), and chrysanthemum (Dendranthema x morifolium) crops.
A ‘Second Opinion’ module was developed for poinsettia and combines a simulation model to predict short-term elongation with a knowledge-based system to make temperature and growth retardant suggestions based on the graphical track, growth stage, and projected elongation.
For Easter lily, the Second Opinion module contains a model of plant development from emergence to flowering and a knowledge-based system that recommends temperatures and growth retardant applications.
The software is currently for sale to growers.
Benefits include a vehicle for delivering models and expertise to end-users, new technologies for decision support, the ability to link biological models directly to the greenhouse environmental computer, a database of commercial crop and climate information, and a means to validate models in a research environment.
Graphical tracking is a technique that allows growers to compare actual measured plant height with a target height curve and make height-control decisions based on this comparison. The Greenhouse CARE System was developed as a computer decision-support tool to graphically track poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Klotz.), Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.), and chrysanthemum (Dendranthema x morifolium) crops.
A ‘Second Opinion’ module was developed for poinsettia and combines a simulation model to predict short-term elongation with a knowledge-based system to make temperature and growth retardant suggestions based on the graphical track, growth stage, and projected elongation.
For Easter lily, the Second Opinion module contains a model of plant development from emergence to flowering and a knowledge-based system that recommends temperatures and growth retardant applications.
The software is currently for sale to growers.
Benefits include a vehicle for delivering models and expertise to end-users, new technologies for decision support, the ability to link biological models directly to the greenhouse environmental computer, a database of commercial crop and climate information, and a means to validate models in a research environment.
Authors
P.R. Fisher, R.D. Heins
Keywords
poinsettia, Easter lily, chrysanthemum, elongation, growth, development, expert system
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