Effect of glazing configuration as an energy-saving strategy in naturally ventilated greenhouses for strawberry (Seolhyang sp.) cultivation

Abstract

Strawberry cultivation is highly dependent on environmental parameters and energy during the winter. Two gothic greenhouses with different glazing material combinations, polyolefin–thermal screen (PoTS) and polyolefin–thermal screen–polyethylene (PoTSPe), were used for strawberry cultivation. The energy-saving capabilities of the two configurations and their impact on the microclimates of the greenhouses were investigated. The temperature, relative humidity, vapor pressure deficit, leaf temperature, carbon dioxide concentration and solar radiation over the experimental period in the PoTS greenhouse were 13.0 ± 2.3°C, 75.8 ± 6.5%, 0.4 ± 0.1 kPa, 13.6 ± 1.7 °C, and 168.8 ± 82.3W/m2, respectively, whereas those of the PoTSPe condition were 13.1 ± 2.3 °C, 80.0 ± 5.7%, 0.3 ± 0.1 kPa, 13.5 ± 1.6 °C, and 183.1 ± 90.5 W/m2. The mean fuel consumption by the PoTS and PoTSPe greenhouses were 5.5 and 3.5 L, respectively. The performance analysis shows that both greenhouses were able to maintain the environmental parameters and leaf temperature within the recommended ranges, although more energy was consumed in the PoTS. More yield was obtained in the PoTS greenhouse, however, not significantly different from PoTSPe yield.