Precision Farming Techniques for Protected cultivation

Protected cultivation: Introduction, History, origin, development, National and International Scenario, components of green house, perspective, Types of green houses, polyhouses /shed nets, Cladding materials, Plant environment interactions – principles of limiting factors, solar radiation and transpiration, greenhouse effect, light, temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide enrichment.

Design and construction of green houses – site selection, orientation, design, construction, design for ventilation requirement using exhaust fan system, selection of equipment. Greenhouse cooling system – necessity, methods – ventilation with roof and side ventilators, evaporative cooling, different shading material fogging, combined fogging and fan-pad cooling system, design of cooling system, maintenance of cooling and ventilation systems, pad care etc.

Greenhouse heating – necessity, components, methods, design of heating system. Root media –types – soil and soil less media, composition, estimation, preparation and disinfection, bed preparation. Planting techniques in green house cultivation. Irrigation in greenhouse and net house – Water quality, types of irrigation system, components, design, installation and material requirement.

Fogging system for greenhouses and net houses –introduction, benefits, design, installation and material requirement. Maintenance of irrigation and fogging systems. Fertilization – nutrient deficiency symptoms and functions of essential nutrient elements, principles of selection of proper application of fertilizers, fertilizer scheduling, rate of application of fertilizers, methods, automated fertilizer application.

Greenhouse climate measurement, control and management. Insect and disease management in greenhouse and net houses Selection of crops for greenhouse cultivation, major crops in greenhouse – irrigation requirement, fertilizer management, cultivation, harvesting and post harvest techniques; Economic analysis.