OMAFRA is organizing a webinar series on controlled environment agriculture. The program can be found below.
Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2seaYKsYQcuLj7Pdb1h6tg
Day 1: Introduction to the theory of Plant Empowerment (Dr. Peter van Weel)
Thursday, May 27, 2021 (9:00 AM-12:30 PM EST)
9:00–10:15 AM EST
Basic knowledge about physics and physiology that play an important role in a greenhouse and for plants:
- The interaction between the main resources: CO2, light, water, RH and temperature.
- The energy balance and stomata opening.
- The role of air movement and ventilation in climate uniformity and physiology.
- The role of heat emission in the dark.
10:15–10:30 AM EST
Question and answer
10:30–10:45 AM EST
Break
10:45 AM -12:00 PM EST
Plant Empowerment, from experience-based control to sensor-based control:
- Controlling 6 balances instead of climate. Why are they important?
- Why and how the reduction of transpiration under intense light can increase photosynthesis.
- Why is transpiration control in the dark better than RH or VD control?
- Prevention of fungal diseases with better screen management.
12:00–12:30 PM EST
Question and answer
Day 2: Practical Application of Plant Empowerment. (Dr. Peter van Weel)
Friday, May 28, 2021, 9:00 AM — 1:15 PM EST
1. Introduction to sensors, software tools and the value of data analysis:
- A new generation of sensors: leaf temperature and tissue temperature, net absorbed radiation, and the microclimate.
Measure energy balance to control transpiration, stomata opening and water balance. - The RTR tool (ratio temperature to radiation) to control plant balance.
- Demonstration of the radiation monitor tool: the effect of energy screens on the greenhouse climate, transpiration, energy consumption and plant conditions.
- Demonstration of the GPE simulation tool: how can I use the hardware components such as screens, light, air tubes, air circulation or ventilation fans and windows in an integrated way?
2. The autonomous greenhouse.
10:30–11:00 AM EST
Question and answer
11:00–11:15 AM EST
Break
11:15 AM-12:45 PM EST
How can the 6 balances assist in obtaining positive effects of light abatement screens (Ton Habraken and René Beerkens).
2. How do I start with the RTR tool? (Evripidis Papadopoulos).
12:45–1:15
Question and answer
OMAFRA
Dr. Fadi Al-Daoud, Greenhouse Vegetable Specialist
fadi.al-daoud@ontario.ca
www.omafra.gov.on.ca