| Popis: |
Results of simulations from a computer model developed to determine economically optimum day temperature for greenhouse hydroponic lettuce production are presented. Selected optimum air temperature is a function of many factors including available insolation, stage of growth of the crop, length of the growing period, lettuce worth, and fuel costs. Potential savings due to production at optimum day temperatures compared to standard temperatures were estimated based on simulation of five years of operation. Potential savings vary depending on fuel cost and whether the greenhouse is operated such that only plants of the same age are present or such that many age groups are present simultaneously. Savings varied from 10 to 30% of the heating costs. KEYWORDS. Lettuce, Hydroponics, Temperature, Modeling, Simulation. |
