Control Systems Governing Gravity-Dependent Plant Growth

The use of computerized environmental control systems for greenhouses and plant growth chambers is increasing in frequency. Computerized systems provide the potential for more accurate environmental control, while at the same time allowing changes to be made more easily than with hard-wired mechanical control systems. The ease of changing allows switching sensor types, relocating sensors and resetting control parameters without significantly affecting the overall system design. Another advantage of computerized control systems is that they provide a method for recording environmental data as they simultaneously implement their programmed control algorithms. This data can subsequently be transferred to other computers for further processing and analysis. Computerized controls also support the possibility of implementing environmental control based on either mathematical models which simulate plant growth, or on actual monitored plant performance data such as nutrient uptake or leaf temperature. This paper discusses in detail these and other advantages of using computerized environmental control systems, as well as describing the problems and disadvantages associated with their implementation and use.

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Engineering Principles Impacting High-tunnel Environments

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/hortsci.19.1.30 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 30-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Gene A. Giacomelli

Keyword(s):

Quality Improvement ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Control Systems ◽

Crop Production ◽

Environmental Control ◽

High Technology ◽

High Tunnel ◽

High Tunnels ◽

Season Extension ◽

New Crop

High tunnels are a special type of greenhouse with primary operational goals of season extension, crop quality improvement, and new crop production opportunities to reach unique markets. From an engineering viewpoint, high tunnels have many of the same design concerns as larger, more complex greenhouses. They capitalize on the greenhouse effect as do all enclosed plant growth structures. However, less automated environmental control systems are required for the desired crop production. Tunnel designs are less complex and less expensive than large high-technology greenhouse ranges, but they must be designed and constructed with the fundamental assurance of structural stability, safety, efficient layout, appropriate environmental control, and effective crop management in mind.

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Mechanisms of ethylene biosynthesis and response in plants

Essays in Biochemistry ◽

10.1042/bse0580061 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 61-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Paul B. Larsen

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Ethylene Biosynthesis ◽

Unsaturated Hydrocarbon ◽

Flower Senescence ◽

Detailed Knowledge ◽

Plant Growth And Development ◽

Step Process ◽

Ethylene Response ◽

Ethylene Signalling

Ethylene is the simplest unsaturated hydrocarbon, yet it has profound effects on plant growth and development, including many agriculturally important phenomena. Analysis of the mechanisms underlying ethylene biosynthesis and signalling have resulted in the elucidation of multistep mechanisms which at first glance appear simple, but in fact represent several levels of control to tightly regulate the level of production and response. Ethylene biosynthesis represents a two-step process that is regulated at both the transcriptional and post-translational levels, thus enabling plants to control the amount of ethylene produced with regard to promotion of responses such as climacteric flower senescence and fruit ripening. Ethylene production subsequently results in activation of the ethylene response, as ethylene accumulation will trigger the ethylene signalling pathway to activate ethylene-dependent transcription for promotion of the response and for resetting the pathway. A more detailed knowledge of the mechanisms underlying biosynthesis and the ethylene response will ultimately enable new approaches to be developed for control of the initiation and progression of ethylene-dependent developmental processes, many of which are of horticultural significance.

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