Types of polyhouses
1) Based on environmental control system
a) Naturally ventilated polyhouse: This type of polyhouse does not have any
environmental control system except for sufficient ventilation and fogger system
to save the crops from bad weather conditions and natural pests and diseases.
b) Environmental controlled polyhouse: They are constructed primarily to
extend the growing period of crops or to increase the off-season yield by
controlling the light, temperature, humidity etc.
2) Based on shape
a) Lean-to
b) Even span
c) Un even span
d) Ridge and furrow
e) Saw tooth
f) Quonset
3) Based on suitability and cost
a) Low cost
b) Medium cost
c) High cost
Components and features of a polyhouse
1) Polyethylene- Polyhouses are made of transparent, tight, cheap and flexible
polythene. Temperature and humidity can easily be controlled in polyhouses as
they prevent thermal radiations from escaping which increases the temperature
and energy and thus helps in the process of photosynthesis. It is well established
that for the production of energy vegetables the polyhouses are constructed with
the help of ultraviolet plastic sheets, so that they may last for more than 5 years.
2) Heating systems- Heating is usually required in cool season. Generally the
solar energy is sufficient to maintain inner temperature of polyhouse but when
this is insufficient, covering the northern wall of polyhouse with jute clothing,
covering the whole of polyhouse with jute clothing during day and night,
installing solar heating systems etc. can be considered.
3) Cooling systems-In summer season when ambient temperature rises during
day time, cooling of polyhouse is done by providing adequate ventilation and
removing the internal air of polyhouse out of it in a natural manner or by installing
high power fans. Water misting mechanism can also be installed
4) Shading Systems-Certain plants are damaged due to very high light intensity
during summer. Shade paints, agro-shade nets or retractable thermal screens are
generally used.
5) Watering Systems-Water quality is very important and is often overlooked.
The water sources should be tested before a polyhouse is established. Micro
irrigation systems like drip irrigation or sprinklers can be used. Equipments
required for drip irrigation includes
A pump unit to generate 2.8kg/cm.sq.pressure
Water filtration system-sand/silica/screen filters
PVC tubing with dripper or emitters
6) Fertigation-It varies from single broadcasting of fertilisers to the use of
soluble grade fertilisers over different operating systems.
General problems of fertigation-Nitrogen tends to accumulate at the peripheral
zone of wetted soil volume. Hence roots at the peripheral wetted zone will have
more access to nitrogen. Nitrogen is lost by leaching and denitrification.
Phosphorous accumulates at the emitter and the phosphorus fixing capacity
determines the efficiency. Potassium moves both laterally and downward and
does not accumulate near the emitter.
7) Environmental control
a) Temperature: A thermostat can be coupled to water circulating pump or
exhaust fan for controlling the temperature inside the polyhouse.
b) Light: In certain areas where natural illumination is very low, illumination can
be provided artificially by incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes.
c)Relative humidity-A humidistat coupled to water circulating pump or exhaust
fan is used to control the relative humidity inside a fan and pad polyhouse. The
relative humidity in non-ventilated polyhouses can be increased by providing
foggers.
8)Media preparation-The media used in polyhouses have chemical and physical
properties which are distinct from field soils.
The medium should be well drained
A desirable medium should have a good balance between physical
properties like water holding capacity and porosity
pH of 5.0-7.0 and soluble salt (EC)of 0.4dS/m is optimum for most of the
polyhouse crops
Low pH can be raised by using amendments like lime and dolomite, high
pH can be reduced by amendments like gypsum, Epsom salts, urea,
ammonium nitrate etc
Polyhouse growing media may contain harmful pathogenic organisms,
nematode, weed seeds so it should be decontaminated by heat treatment. It
can also be achieved by fungicides and pesticides.
Fumigation in polyhouse- Physical propagation facilities such as containers,
knives, benches, working area etc are to be disinfected. Care should be taken to
disinfect the seed or planting materials before they are moved to polyhouse.
