Energy and Water Related Parameters in Tomato and Cucumber Greenhouse Crops in Semiarid Mediterranean Regions. A Review, Part I: Increasing Energy Efficiency

Abstract

Countries located in the Mediterranean region share many common features in terms of agricultural sustainability and economic realities of modern farming, as they are affected by water scarcity, energy use and climate suitability. Greenhouses are considered as a mitigation measure to combat climate change and as a sustainable production system. The majority of greenhouses in the Mediterranean region are rudimentary, while those in Central and North Europe are characterized by equipment of a high technological level for greenhouse climate and fertigation management. However, the technological innovations and research originating from Central and North Europe glasshouses may not be appropriate for use in Mediterranean plastic greenhouses when considering the trade-off between agronomic needs and potential energy savings. Identifying energy measures suitable for the local climate will improve energy efficiency and crop performance toward the goal of greenhouse sustainability. This review mainly focuses on renewable and energy-efficient control systems in Mediterranean greenhouses, where crops such as tomato and cucumber are widely grown.