scholarly journals History of Controlled Environment Horticulture: Greenhouses

HortScience ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-246
Author(s):  
Krishna Nemali
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Rigid Plastic ◽  
Intensive Farming

Modern greenhouses are intensive farming systems designed to achieve high efficiency and productivity. Plants are produced year-round in greenhouses by maintaining the environment at or near optimum levels regardless of extreme weather conditions. Many scientific discoveries and technological advancements that happened in the past two centuries paved the way for current state-of-the-art greenhouses. These include, but are not limited to, advancements in climate-specific structural designs and glazing materials, and temperature control, artificial lighting, and hydroponic production systems. Greenhouse structures can be broadly grouped into four distinct designs, including tall Venlo greenhouses of the Netherlands, passive solar greenhouses of China, low-cost Parral greenhouses of the Mediterranean region, and gutter-connected polyethylene houses of India and African countries. These designs were developed to suit local climatic conditions and maximize the return on investment. Although glass and rigid plastic options are available for glazing, the development of low-cost and lightweight plastic glazing materials (e.g., polyethylene) enabled widespread growth of the greenhouse industry in the developing world. For temperate regions, supplemental lighting technology is crucial for year-round production. This heavily relies on advancements in electro-lighting during the 19th and 20th centuries. The development of hydroponic production systems for the controlled delivery of nutrients further enhanced crop productivity. This article addresses important historical events, scientific discoveries, and technological improvements related to advancements in these areas.

scholarly journals The Fatty Acid Profile of Meat from New Zealand White Rabbits Raised under Intensive and Extensive Production Systems

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3126
Author(s):  
Tomasz Daszkiewicz ◽  
Andrzej Gugołek ◽  
Dorota Kubiak ◽  
Krzysztof Kerbaum ◽  
Ewa Burczyk
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Wire Mesh ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
New Zealand White Rabbits ◽  
Pelleted Diet

The aim of this study was to compare the fatty acid (FA) profile of meat from New Zealand White rabbits raised from 30 to 90 days of age under intensive (IPS) and extensive (EPS) production systems. In group IPS, the rabbits were housed in wire mesh cages with a slatted floor (16.7 animals/m2) and were fed a commercial pelleted diet. In group EPS, the rabbits were housed in free-standing cages on straw litter (2.5 animals/m2) and were fed a conventional farm-made diet (green fodder, barley grain, stale bread, hay). The FA profile of intramuscular fat (IMF) was analyzed in samples of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle. The analyzed production systems had no significant effect on the content of most FAs in IMF. However, the differences between group means contributed to more desirable values of the quality indicators of IMF (in particular in the LTL muscle) in group IPS. The study demonstrated that the claim that meat produced under less intensive farming systems is of superior quality could be an oversimplified generalization that should be validated in research.

scholarly journals Methane emissions of extensive grazing breeding herds in relation to the weaning and yearling stages in the Eastern Plains of Colombia

2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Alberto Ramírez-Restrepo ◽  
Raúl Ramón Vera-Infanzón
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Uncertain Future ◽  
Animal Sciences

A substantial proportion of beef production in Colombia originates in its extensiveEastern Plains. However, in this scenario and in a global context, demand for cattleproduction increasingly requests that it satisfies social and environmental expectationsin addition to being economically efficient. A dataset containing five-year long recordsof cow-calf production systems collected at Carimagua Research Centre located in theMeta Department was retrospectively interrogated to understand the liveweight (LW)-derived flux matrix dynamics of methane (CH4) emissions. Estimated total CH4 (kg)emissions during the gestation period, were similar between conventional weaned (CW;37.86 ± 0.506 kg) and early weaned (EW; 37.47 ± 0.476 kg) cows. However, averagedover two lactations, total CH4 emissions were larger (p < 0.0001) in CW cows (38.67± 0.456 kg) than in their EW (14.40 ± 0.435 kg) counterparts. Total gas emissionsfrom birth to comparable commercial yearlings age were higher (p < 0.0001) for CW(43.11 ± 0.498 kg) calves than for EW (40.27 ± 0.472 kg) calves. It was concluded thatmid and long-term pastoral datasets and new concerns are well suited to understanddifferent contexts and adaptations to the contemporary weather conditions. Nevertheless,conventional farming systems will be less environmentally vulnerable if EWmanagement practices involve the strategic and temporal use of improved pastures. Theroles of veterinary medicine and animal sciences are briefly discussed in the context ofunprecedented climate variability to provide a guide to the uncertain future.

scholarly journals Seed Priming: A Potential Supplement in Integrated Resource Management Under Fragile Intensive Ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Siva Devika ◽  
Sonam Singh ◽  
Deepranjan Sarkar ◽  
Prabhakar Barnwal ◽  
Jarupula Suman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Seed Priming ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
Productivity Cost ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Set Up

A majority of agricultural activities are conducted under fragile lands or set-up. The growth and development of crops are negatively affected due to several biotic and abiotic stresses. In the current situation, research efforts have been diverted toward the short-term approaches that can improve crop performance under changing environments. Seed treatment or priming technology is in a transition phase of its popularity among resource-poor farmers. Suitable policy intervention can boost low-cost techniques to implement them on a larger scale in developing countries and to harness the maximum benefits of sustainable food production systems. Primed seeds have high vigor and germination rate that help in seedling growth and successful crop stand establishment under stress conditions. This review is attempted to assess different seed priming techniques in terms of resource use efficiency, crop productivity, cost–benefit balance, and environmental impacts. Moreover, a comprehensive study of the mechanisms (physiological and biochemical) of seed priming is also elaborated. A detailed examination of the applications of priming technology under diverse agroecosystems can improve our understanding of the adaptive management of natural resources.

scholarly journals Growing Organic Heirloom Tomatoes in the Field and High Tunnels in North Carolina: Comparative Economic Analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olha Sydorovych ◽  
Cary L. Rivard ◽  
Suzanne O’Connell ◽  
Chris D. Harlow ◽  
Mary M. Peet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels

In this study, we conducted an economic analysis of high tunnel and open-field production systems of heirloom tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) based on a two-year study at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) located in Goldsboro, eastern North Carolina. The research site was transitional organic using organically certified inputs and practices on land not yet certified. Production costs and returns were documented in each system and provide a useful decision tool for growers. Climatic conditions varied dramatically in 2007 compared with 2008 and differentially affected total and marketable yields in each system. Profits were higher in the open-field system and the high tunnels in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using a range of market prices from $1.60/lb to $3.60/lb and a range of fruit marketability levels from 35% to 80%. Both systems were profitable except at the lowest price point and the lowest percent marketability level in high tunnel in 2007. At $2.60/lb, seasonal average sale price reported by growers for this region, and depending on percent marketability levels, the payback period for high tunnels ranged from two to five years. Presented sensitivity tables will enable decision makers to knowledgably estimate economic potential of open-field and high tunnel systems based on expected local prices and fruit quality parameters.

scholarly journals Underutilized Fruits of Assam for Livelihood and Nutritional Security

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
U Barua ◽  
R P Das ◽  
B Gogoi ◽  
S R Baruah
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Northeast India ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Fruit Crops ◽  
Marginal Lands

India is endowed with a rich genetic diversity of fruits. The Hindustani centre represents 344 species of fruits. Northeast India, meeting ground of Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese bio-geographical areas is one of the 18 mega-biodiversity centers of the World, has contributed the fruit genera like Citrus, Musa, Mangifera, Docynia, Elaeocarpus, Myrica, Morus, Artocarpus, etc. There are a quite large number of indigenous and underutilized fruit crops, which are being used by the local inhabitants in rural areas. These underutilized fruits are fairly rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidant properties and are serving as protective food. Because of their curative properties, different parts of these fruit and plants have been used in ethno-medicines. Apart from their nutritive and medicinal values quite a few of these underutilized fruits have good flavor, colour and juice content and can be used for value additions. Several underutilized fruit species which have potential for commercial exploitation are yet to be utilized to their potential. These fruit crops have not undergone any conscious phase of domestication and selection. Their cultivation is very restricted and they grow in wild and semi wild condition and adapted to local climatic conditions. Hence they can thrive even under most adverse situation. Their adoption on a commercial scale, with crop improvement, standardization of cultural practices and popularization in diverse farming systems and value additions are warranted to achieve stability in farm production and food security. Many underutilized species, well adapted to marginal lands and with low cost inputs, may thus be of great benefit for the survival of poor communities, employment generation and sustainability of agricultural ecosystems.

Economics of Low Carbon Agriculture

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Moran ◽  
Jorie Knook
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Global Food Security

Climate change is already having a significant impact on agriculture through greater weather variability and the increasing frequency of extreme events. International policy is rightly focused on adapting and transforming agricultural and food production systems to reduce vulnerability. But agriculture also has a role in terms of climate change mitigation. The agricultural sector accounts for approximately a third of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, including related emissions from land-use change and deforestation. Farmers and land managers have a significant role to play because emissions reduction measures can be taken to increase soil carbon sequestration, manage fertilizer application, and improve ruminant nutrition and waste. There is also potential to improve overall productivity in some systems, thereby reducing emissions per unit of product. The global significance of such actions should not be underestimated. Existing research shows that some of these measures are low cost relative to the costs of reducing emissions in other sectors such as energy or heavy industry. Some measures are apparently cost-negative or win–win, in that they have the potential to reduce emissions and save production costs. However, the mitigation potential is also hindered by the biophysical complexity of agricultural systems and institutional and behavioral barriers limiting the adoption of these measures in developed and developing countries. This includes formal agreement on how agricultural mitigation should be treated in national obligations, commitments or targets, and the nature of policy incentives that can be deployed in different farming systems and along food chains beyond the farm gate. These challenges also overlap growing concern about global food security, which highlights additional stressors, including demographic change, natural resource scarcity, and economic convergence in consumption preferences, particularly for livestock products. The focus on reducing emissions through modified food consumption and reduced waste is a recent agenda that is proving more controversial than dealing with emissions related to production.

scholarly journals Integrated BIM and VR to implement IPD mode in transportation infrastructure projects: System design and case application

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259046
Author(s):  
Ziqi Hao ◽  
Wensheng Zhang ◽  
Yunche Zhao
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Transportation Infrastructure ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Steering Wheel ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Simulation Design ◽  
Head Mounted Display

The complex design of transportation infrastructure hinders communication between different roles in the project, which makes it difficult to promote the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) mode. This paper discusses a design simulation and communication system based on Building Information Modeling and Virtual Reality for transportation infrastructure (DSC-BV-TI system), integrated with BIM, with VR developed by using a game engine. Based on an analysis of the user’s demand, the system introduces a three-dimensional BIM model of traffic infrastructure in an immersive VR environment and realizes the simulation design, weather simulation, virtual driving, sight distance calculation, visual simulation and other functions of traffic infrastructure project by using the system’s safety assessment and scheme decision. The system is applied to the design of the Jinjiazhuang Extra-Long Tunnel project of the Yan-Chong Expressway in Hebei Province, which was built for the 2022 Winter Olympics. The results show that, using the DSC-BV-TI system, the designer has completed a display of the overall scheme: the user can use the steering wheel to drive a vehicle; use the head-mounted display to play the picture; realize the simulation and interaction in a variety of simulated weather conditions and environments; and use IPD mode to communicate and make decisions on the design scheme of the traffic infrastructure, tunnel speed limit and other aspects that play a key role. The DSC-BV-TI system has 8 advantages and 4 disadvantages identified through a questionnaire survey, the advantages including high fidelity, high efficiency and low cost. At the same time, according to the research results, three suggestions to help improve the system are discussed. DSC-BV-TI system as a communication bridge between the design team and other stakeholders reduces the communication gap and promotes the implementation of the IPD mode in transportation infrastructure projects.

Energy and resource saving timber drying

10.12737/6288 ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-204
Author(s):  
Курьянова ◽  
Tatyana Kuryanova ◽  
Платонов ◽  
Aleksey Platonov ◽  
Киселева ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Resource Saving ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Natural Wood ◽  
Drying Section ◽  
The Cost

Need of small woodworking companies in the efficient dryers of small capacity is very high. Used in industry dryers are very diverse in types and energy. Given that the processes of hydro-thermal treatment of wood are the most energy-intensive in woodworking technology, solutions to this problem are highly relevant. One of the most promising and low-cost ways is a combined method of drying timber with pre-atmospheric drying of wood. Natural wood drying is cheaper than chamber one. There are no expenses for the coolant, one of the major costs in drying chamber. One of the drawbacks of this dryer is the long duration and dependence on meteorological conditions. The solution to this problem is to create an incentive air circulation for material to be dried. For these purposes, the use of simple and cheap prefabricated elements of flow or dead-end type of shield materials, fitted with a fan, is possible. This design can also be the buffer stock for storing timber. Pre-drying of wood is made to a moisture content of 40-45%. Tests of this design have shown its high efficiency. The duration of subsequent chamber drying in the climatic conditions of Voronezh reduces by an average in 1,5 times, which is also reflected in the cost of the material being dried. In this case, the production capacity of the drying section of the company is increased by 20-35% depending on the species, the cross section of the material, the initial and transition humidity. Reduction of the specific heat consumption per 1 kg of evaporated moisture is about 10%. Drying of the wood becomes more equal, which helps to reduce shrinkage, reduce the value of internal residual stresses, which are one of the indicators of the quality of drying, as well as increased dimensional stability.

scholarly journals Marketing of renewable energy sources

2020 ◽  
Vol 175 ◽  
pp. 14006
Author(s):  
Yaroslav Lavrinenko ◽  
Victoria Tinyakova ◽  
Larisa Shishkina ◽  
Ruben Partevian
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Installed Capacity

The article discusses the importance of marketing in the market of renewable energy sources. Alternative energy and its development significantly depend on the country and the climatic conditions of a particular area. In Russia, alternative energy, its development, lags behind world leaders. There are several reasons for this. The first reason is the large reserves of fuel and energy raw materials and their low cost. The second reason is the low utilization rate of the installed capacity of alternative energy. The third reason is that the weather conditions in Russia are nonhomogeneous and not very suitable for the development of alternative energy. A promising direction for the development of alternative energy is small alternative energy. Marketing is built on effective market segmentation, increasing end-user awareness and customer education efforts. The article also provides recommendations for improving the effectiveness of marketing, its special features, taking into account altruism, paternalism and moral satisfaction ofcustomers.

scholarly journals Ostrich - A diversification option for east coast farms?

1996 ◽  
pp. 273-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.D.A. Brown ◽  
K.F. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Reproduction Rate ◽  
Low Cholesterol ◽  
By Products

Ostrich are currently being promoted as an alternative to sheep, cattle and deer. Although current bird prices are not sustainable, New Zealand and overseas experience to date suggest ostrich can be farmed successfully and profitability long term. Climate and terrain of the east coast of New Zealand suit ostrich physical requirements. It has been suggested that production systems will develop in which grazed herbage will provide 60% or more of the nutritional requirements. The ability to graze low-cost herbage combined with a reproduction rate of about 25 progeny per hen per year indicate that ostrich production systems may be three times more efficient than beef or deer at turning feed into lean meat. The low fat and low cholesterol meat is likely to be the primary product and is already being sold in international markets. There is also a market for the leather, feathers and oil by-products. Keywords: diversification, east coast, farming systems, meat, ostrich

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