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Greenhouse Cooling Systems and Models for Arid Climate

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Book cover Sustainable Agriculture Reviews

Part of the book series: Sustainable Agriculture Reviews ((SARV,volume 18))

Abstract

The South African population will grow by 1.7 % per annum. 35 % of the current South African population live with inadequate access to food. Conventional agricultural methods show obvious limitations in producing sufficient food. Much land in South Africa is unsuitable for traditional farming. Africa is also extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. A large proportion of Africa’s crop production depends on rainfall, a factor that is expected to become increasingly unreliable due to climate change. Controlled environment agriculture such as greenhouse crop production is becoming more popular in South Africa. It is, however, often associated with high capital and operating costs and undesired internal micro-climates. Limited reviews have been done regarding the performance of different greenhouse structures and designs for local agro-climatic conditions in South Africa. Greenhouse cooling systems and the evaluation thereof are especially relevant to the South African arid climate and for providing a solution to the problems experienced as a result of over-heating inside greenhouses.

Here we review major greenhouse climate parameters such as temperature and relative humidity. We then evaluate different climate control installations such as cooling systems and associated greenhouse designs. We discuss existing models to predict internal micro-climates of different greenhouses, control systems and external climates. Agroclimatic conditions in South Africa are evaluated. We found that the management of supra-optimal temperatures in local greenhouses remains one of the biggest challenges. The history and status of greenhouse development in South Africa are reviewed to identify current problems. Information on cost-benefit analysis for different types of greenhouse and farming operations is presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bioresources Engineering, School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X0l, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

    Erna du Plessis, Tilahun Workneh & Mark Laing

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  1. Erna du Plessis
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  2. Tilahun Workneh
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  3. Mark Laing
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Correspondence to Tilahun Workneh .

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  1. INRA, UMR1347 Agroécologie, Dijon, France

    Eric Lichtfouse

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du Plessis, E., Workneh, T., Laing, M. (2015). Greenhouse Cooling Systems and Models for Arid Climate. In: Lichtfouse, E. (eds) Sustainable Agriculture Reviews. Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, vol 18. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21629-4_6

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