A greenhouse is a structure used to protect crops and extend the production window. Once growers decide to invest in a greenhouse structure they must think in ways to obtain the maximum benefit from it. There are plenty of options of greenhouse covers. But what should a grower be looking for? Photosynthesis is the main process related to crop yield. Therefore it is important to always be looking to optimize the greenhouse environment to promote photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is a process promoted mainly by CO2 and light. CO2 is captured by plants by a process of gas exchange. Smalls pores located in leaves called ‘stomata’ are in charge of this process. To get the best function of gas exchange and transpiration from stomata, plants must be free of any stress. Direct light and heat inside the greenhouse can lead to reducing plant photosynthesis. In these cases, photosynthesis reduction is mainly driven by two factors: leaf temperature and lack of a uniform light environment in the whole plant.
Research have shown how photosynthesis can be reduced when leaf temperature tends to rise. A rise in leaf temperature can be found in the upper leaves of plants exposed to direct light and heat. In addition, direct light will hit mostly upper leaves (which can be already stressed because of high temperature). This will leave an environment where upper leaves will work more on photosynthesis leaving leaves in middle and bottom canopy with much less light to do this process.
It is possible to maximize photosynthesis by promoting a uniform light environment and avoiding the rise of temperature in leaves. There are options of greenhouse covers to promote diffuse light and heat reduction. Sudlac is a shading paint manufacturer offering high quality paints to protect crops by optimizing incoming sunlight and heat to meet specific demands in different environments with the main purpose to increase your crop yield and quality.
Optufise IR from Sudlac can help reduce heat in the greenhouse while promoting diffuse light penetration. This product can be applied on the outside of all standard greenhouses. With the use of Optifuse IR incoming light will be scattered by the diffuse coating layer, reaching the leaves from all sides from top to bottom of the crop. This will improve the photosynthesis and transpiration of all plant leaves, resulting in a better humidity, temperature and CO2 level inside the greenhouse. It is proven by research that diffuse light in combination with heat reduction has a positive effect on production, quality and growth of your crop. In addition, this product will not affect your PAR (Photosynthetic Active Radiation) transmission.
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