Using greenhouses to extend growing seasons and improve yields has had a notable impact on fresh food production in Europe and the rest of the world. Researchers have now identified several approaches to decrease the environmental impact of greenhouse agriculture without affecting productivity. While greenhouses greatly improve the output of fresh produce, they may carry increased costs when compared to outdoor farming practices. For example, the use of fossil fuels for heating is responsible for both increased environmental impact and higher costs of production.
The EU-funded 'Efficient use of input in protected horticulture' (EUPHOROS) project was established to develop a greenhouse system that does not rely on fossil fuels. The project also aimed to develop a toolbox to reduce inputs and waste outputs, to optimise the growing environment and to monitor the modern greenhouse.The toolbox is freely available on the project web-site.
Researchers tested a number of solutions to reduce the heating energy needs of greenhouses. Several glass coatings were tested, one of which could half heating requirements while maintaining similar productivity. Another coating improved the productivity of rose bushes in heated greenhouses, and was developed into a commercial product.
A new design for unheated greenhouses with improved ventilation was tested, showing a 40% increase in production compared to ordinary greenhouses. Other approaches included the reuse of irrigation water and fertilisers, which resulted in 25% reduction in water use and up to 40% fertiliser savings. EUPHOROS was a broad and comprehensive approach aimed at reducing the environmental impact of growing crops in greenhouses. Many of the proposed solutions have demonstrated that environmentally friendly agriculture can be economically viable.
Source: Cordis
Announcements
Vacancies
- Head Grower Strawberries, Australia
- Growing Manager for Hydroponic strawberry producer
- Farm Manager Costa Rica
- Regional Sales Manager Fresh Produce
- Head Grower Strawberries, Norway
- Export Trade Manager
- Business Developer - Northern Europe
- Orchard Sector Manager
- Grower
- International Citrus Account Manager
Efficient use of inputs in protected horticulture
Europe: Promising results for EUPHOROS project
Publication date:
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2023-09-27 NL: Subsidies for energy transition, but it's a quid pro quo
- 2023-09-27 Turkey sets geothermal goals in medium-term economic program
- 2023-09-19 "Electric and hydrogen alternative to fossil fuel within a few years"
- 2023-08-24 Corrosion risk returns in horticulture through more economical heating
- 2023-08-23 Weather extremes' impact on global fruit and vegetable sector
- 2023-08-17 CO2 storage under the North Sea is a go
- 2023-08-16 Nappa pursues renewed geothermal heat production North Limburg
- 2023-08-15 Solar park next to Tinte greenhouses under construction
- 2023-08-07 Singapore: Singrow and Norgren partner up to reduce energy costs
- 2023-07-21 Bringing geothermal knowledge from horticulture to other industries
- 2023-07-21 US: Future-proofing vertical farms’ electricity access through microgrids
- 2023-07-20 "Gains to be made by properly adjusting and monitoring your burner"
- 2023-07-10 "The emissions from our new burner are at an absolute minimum"
- 2023-07-06 Expect more record temperatures, Hutton experts say
- 2023-07-06 Comparing the environmental footprint of lettuce grown indoors to that grown in fields
- 2023-07-05 Don’t think you can afford a solar system for your farm?
- 2023-07-05 "Bylaws governing energy efficiency and light abatement will become the standard"
- 2023-07-04 Westland solar panels forced to be under-utilized
- 2023-06-30 Using wind turbines to energize greenhouses for zero emission cultivation
- 2023-06-29 “We are a company based on tradition and technology”
