Engineering and economics of liquid radiation filter greenhouses

J. Gale, D. Feuermann, D. Sivan, R. Kopel, E. Shlomo

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Liquid Radiation Filter Greenhouses (LRFG) have been perceived as an expensive alternative to conventional greenhouses. However, because of their improved capability for controlling the greenhouse climate, extensive fertilization with CO2 is possible. This results in significant yield increases. We review the functioning and the practical advantages of the LRFG that result in their superior performance. The latter is substantiated by plant growth data from conventional greenhouses and from a pilot model and a commercial size LRFG. An economic analysis, which takes into account actual costs and expenditures for the commercial LRFG, shows that the additional cost per unit area of the LRFG is only about 35%, if put in the perspective of an entire greenhouse farm, including infrastructure. This figure would be smaller if the cost of land was included. By way of example: under present conditions in Israel it is calculated that only a 15% increase in production of a Ficus sp rooting nursery would be sufficient to equalize profitability. In practice, production in LRFGs has exceeded that obtained in conventional greenhouses by more than 50% and sometimes by 150%.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Conference and British-Israeli Workshop on Greenhouse Techniques towards the 3rd Millennium
PublisherInternational Society for Horticultural Science
Pages361-366
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9789066059528
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameActa Horticulturae
Volume534
ISSN (Print)0567-7572

Keywords

  • Carbon dioxide
  • Closed system
  • Economics
  • Greenhouse
  • Liquid radiation filter

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