Polyhouse | UMAPLAST Himmatnagar

Polyhouse Farming Poly-house Materials.jpg

Let us understand Polyhouse technology,
Polyhouse Farming and its's benefits.

Why polyhouse farming?

Polyhouse is the technology that enables high-quality production compared to normal agriculture. It provides needed sunlight, proper aeration, and draining of water. The controlled conditions inside the polyhouse provide a facility to take the crop production around the year. It supports to take more yield of the crop because there is less damage to the farming done inside that turns out to be much beneficial.

What actually happens in a Polyhouse or Greenhouse?

Carbon dioxide is vital for photosynthesis under proper sunlight. More CO2 means more photosynthesis and a good crop. The predominant purpose Poly-house is to generate more carbon dioxide because it is a closed structure. Normally CO2 level remains around 350 to 400ppm in the open atmosphere which increases to 1200 to 1500ppm in a Polytunnel. So much more released CO2 during the night is utilized for photosynthesis during the daytime. The spraying of water increases the humidity that enables the opening of stomata (which are called holes in plant leaves that absorb CO2 transpiration). So. more opening of stomata helps more CO2 to enter plants leading to more photosynthesis.

The direct Sunlight has more lux that is around one Lakh and UV rays ham the plants. The sheet used in polyhouse filters the excess Sunlight and around fifty to sixty percent of Sunlight reach inside the Poly-tunnel so plants are protected from Scorching and damage by excess light.

Types of Polyhouses:

Naturally ventilated Polyhouse generally costs low
Partial climate-controlled Polyhouse costs medium
Fully climate controlled Polyhouse costs high
Plastic low tunnels
Net houses

Naturally ventilated Polyhouse - Low Cost :

Such Polyhouses require a less initial investment because they are constructed with locally available materials like Timber, Bamboo, etc. As there are no special devices used to control the inside environmental parameters, investment cost becomes less. They are suitable in the cold season, particularly in hilly regions.

Partial climate-controlled Polyhouse: Medium Cost

Such poly-house is made up of frames using galvanized iron pipes and exhaust fans are used for ventilation, which is thermostatically controlled. The cooling pad is used for humidifying the air entering the Polyhouse. Such Poly-houses are suitable for vegetable cultivation during mild winter and mild summer for the low hills regions.

Fully climate controlled Polyhouse: Costs high:

Such types of Polyhouses have all functional requirements installed like sensors and controls. Frames are made of GI Pipes or aluminum structures having dome shape or cone-shaped designs. Such structures are durable but cost high. The growing mediums are used like Peat, Perlite, Vermiculture, etc. In a country like India Coco fibers and rice, husks are used as growing mediums. Fogging machines are used to spray pesticides.