Designing Greenhouse Propagation Systems for Better Plant Beginnings
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Ricardo Hernandez, Ph.D., associate professor of CEA at North Carolina State University, stresses that the early part of a crop cycle must be carefully controlled to give plants their best chance of success, especially when met with challenging conditions later in the production cycle, such as environmental stressors. Therefore, in order to achieve a successful early crop cycle, growers and propagators need both well-designed propagation systems/technology and environmental plant physiology knowledge.
Without both, he says, the risks of crop failure and increased costs follow.
With guidance from Hernandez, LLK Greenhouses Solutions offers some tips on how to properly design propagation systems.
Positive Pressure Airflow
Positive pressure airflow keeps contaminants out of greenhouse propagation zones. To help ensure positive pressure airflow, a greenhouse design will need:
- A greenhouse entry point with an airlock
- Dedicated air supply systems with filtration
- Fully enclosed production bays
- Pressure sensors and gauges
- Relief dampers and exhaust fans.
Separating Production Zones
Keeping production zones separate protects plants and is critical for all manner of biosecurity, including:
- Maintaining crop-specific microclimates
- Preventing cross-contact between propagation trays and older plant material
- Protecting crop integrity at every growth stage
- Reducing the spread of pathogens.
Sanitizing Greenhouse Surfaces
Maintaining clean surface areas in a greenhouse environment is a constant and challenging process, but essential for plant health and success. Greenhouse design tips to consider to help simplify sanitation processes include:
- Integrating sloped floors toward drains to prevent standing water
- Making high-risk areas easy to access, inspect, and clean
- Sealing any cracks, gaps, and seams to prevent hiding places for bacteria and insects
- Using smooth surface materials that resist moisture.
For additional information and a more in-depth look at properly designed propagation systems, including the importance of quality plant material, you can read the full article on the LLK Greenhouse Solutions website.