207-321 Protected Cropping

On completion of this subject students should gain an understanding of:

• the design principles appropriate to the establishment of greenhouse facilities;

• the processes influencing the greenhouse climate and the interrelationships between crops and greenhouse environment;

• the technology and processes available to modify greenhouse environments;

• the techniques appropriate to the sizing and selection of environmental control systems; and

• the management of greenhouse facilities to achieve optimum use of the facilities.

This subject covers:

• the analysis of potential greenhouse facility sites;

• functional and structural design details of greenhouse buildings;

• layout and materials handling considerations;

• materials available and their properties;

• types of covering materials and properties and selection of coverings;

• the environmental requirements of selected greenhouse crops;

• the processes involved in determining the greenhouse climate;

• energy balance of the greenhouse;

• psychrometrics processes;

• environmental modification techniques including light, temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide and air movement modification;

• environmental control technologies;

• the selection and sizing of heating, cooling and ventilation systems;

• computer-based controller systems;

• alternative energy sources including passive and active solar design; and

• greenhouse irrigation and greenhouse operation and management strategies.

A two-hour examination (40%), one major assignment 4000 words (40%) and one minor assignment 2000 words (20%).