|
Ahaneku, I. E.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
Ikechukwu-Edeh, C. E.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
Ndukwu, M. C.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The introduction of
greenhouse farming in agriculture has led to creditable advancements in global
food security and removed the climatic limitations in crop production, as
greenhouses create environments tailored to the exact needs of the plant.
However, due to the adverse effect of climate change on the global weather, it
is imperative to assess greenhouses to determine their suitability to the
purpose for which they are created. A naturally ventilated, wood-framed,
experimental greenhouse was designed for this research. A no-load test was
conducted to determine the effects of the greenhouse climate (temperature,
relative humidity and radiation) on the greenhouse soil (soil moisture and soil
temperature) using an electronic system of sensors, micro-controllers and data
loggers for data collection. It was observed that the soil moisture content was
on a steady decline and had an average weekly decline of 1.64%. The soil
temperature recorded for the experiment ranged from 26.87oC to 32.24oC, with
the maximum soil temperature occurring at a relative humidity of 70% and
greenhouse solar radiation of 1.97MJ/m2/day, confirming the suitability of the
greenhouse soil and climate for vegetable farming. Quadratic and linear models
were established for the soil moisture and temperature, respectively.
Keywords: greenhouse, no-load test, soil temperature, greenhouse climate, soil moisture content
https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v11i1_14
|
View: 15 | Download: 5
Published
Monday, February 03, 2025
Issue
Vol. 11 No. 1, June 2025
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
|
