Unit

2 Types of Protected
Structures and their
Components

Introduction
So far, we have learnt that protected cultivation aims
to modify the micro climate of the plants by selective
control of environment for the protection of the crops
from biotic and abiotic stresses for healthy and safe
crop production, notably all round the year including
the off-season. Greenhouses enable qualitative and
quantitative production of ornamental crops of high
value especially during the off-season for fetching better
prices, that otherwise is not possible through open field
cultivation. This is particularly helpful in cold areas
with heavy snowfall or chill factors.
Different types of protected structures can be
adopted for off-season and round the year cultivation
of flowers and ornamental crops. Commonly used
protected structures are — low tunnels, walk-in tunnels,
net houses, greenhouses and mist chambers. These
structures vary in their shape, design, height and size.

Session 1: Types of Protected Structures

In India, protected cultivation technology for commercial
production is hardly three decades old. In a country
like ours, where most of the structural designs have
been adopted from different countries, the designs

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 have been amply modified to suit the local conditions
and requirements of different agro-climatic areas. The
commonly used protected structures are as follows.

Low Tunnel
Also called ‘miniature greenhouses’, low tunnels
generally cover rows of plants in field and, therefore,
they are also known as row covers. Clean
plastic films or nets are stretched over low
wire hoops (arcs up to 1.0 m high) to protect
plants against frost, wind, insects and
pests. The hoops are made of steel wires
or bamboo strips or cane. These hoops are
covered by polythene sheets of about 50
microns thickness and are provided with
ventilation holes on the side opposite to the
solar movement. Total surface area of such
ventilation is about 4 per cent. Use of non-
Fig. 2.1: Low tunnel
woven/spun-bonded fabric material, which
is porous and much lighter, is a more recent trend.
Low tunnels provide a passive control of plant micro
climate, i.e., use of specific plastic material to control
radiation and provision of natural ventilation. Plastic
mulches and drip irrigation may be used in conjunction
with low tunnels. There are several methods of low
tunnel formation and operation. The low tunnels permit
early yield for spring crops with significantly higher
yields. These tunnels are not usually used for growing
flowers. The crops which have been generally grown
commercially under low tunnel conditions are melons,
cucumber, tomato, strawberry, pepper, beans, squash
and sweet corn.
A variation of the low tunnel is a plastic covered
trench system where polyethylene is stretched over a
trench in the ground. The trench may be 20–40 cm
deep. The polyethylene is removed from the trenches
when the plants start flowering to enable pollination
facilitated by insects. Such trenches are showing
excellent results under the cold desert conditions of Leh
(Jammu and Kashmir) as moisture is also conserved to
a great extent.

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 Advantages
1. Normally low tunnels are recommended for cultivation
during winter season especially for growing early
crop of cucurbits.
2. They protect crop against wind, rain, frost and snow.
3. They are suitable for raising a healthy nursery and
early vegetable crops.
4. They maintain optimum temperature for plant
growth.
5. They help in better nutrient uptake by the plants.

Walk-in tunnel
It is a temporary structure made by using GI
pipes or bamboo, and is covered with different
cladding material depending upon the season
in which the cultivation is proposed. Walk-in
tunnels are used for off-season cultivation
of vegetables and flower seedlings. They
give an advantage of better prices of the
off-season produce, giving more profit per unit
area. Optimum size of the walking tunnel is
60–75 sq m, with 2–2.5 m width and up to
Fig. 2.2: Walk-in tunnels
30 m length with a 2–2.5 m central height.
Overall, the height is enough for the worker to walk
comfortably during operation.

Advantages
1. The worker can easily walk-in to take care of the
crop.
2. The cultivators get higher returns from off-season
cultivation of vegetables and raising of flower seedlings.
3. These are temporary and low-cost structures, which
can be fabricated by the cultivators themselves at
the village level with the help of rural artisans.

Net Houses
Depending upon the cladding (covering) material used,
the net houses may be classified as insect-proof net
houses and shade net houses.

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 Insect-proof Net House
An insect-proof net house can be fabricated
as a temporary or permanent structure
in different designs. It can be in a walk-
in tunnel design and shape, with double
door facility at one end of the structure. It
is covered with UV-stabilised insect-proof
net of 40–50 mesh for effective control of
pests and diseases. The minimum size of
insect-proof net house is 100 sq m. The
Fig. 2.3: Insect-proof Net House
permanent structure can be fabricated
in two designs — flat roof design having
3.5–4 m height and dome shape with a height of
4.5–5 m and the other in dome shape in a popular
type of greenhouse design. Usually, the quality
production as well as growing seedlings are possible
under these net houses with proper selection of
varieties without application of harmful chemicals in
their production.
Advantages
1. Off-season cultivation
2. Production of quality seedlings is possible.
3. Restrict the growth of pests and diseases.
Shade Net House
It is primarily constructed to protect
plants from highly intense solar
radiation. The structure is made of
wood, stone, bamboo or GI pipes.
When wood or bamboo are used, the
poles are treated with turpentine and
tar on one side before inserting them
in the ground. Cladding material used
on the top and sides of the structure is
generally a shade net. The shade nets
Fig. 2.4: Shade Net House are available in different colours with
different percentages of shade factor.
Suitability of colour and shade factor is location and
season-specific. Generally, shade nets are used for
hardening of fruit orchard planting material raised
under greenhouses.

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 Advantages
1. They control high intensity solar radiation.
2. They protect plants from frost.
3. They also protect plants from large insects.
Greenhouse
It is a framed or covered structure with a
transparent or translucent material which
permits ample sunlight for crop production
and has provisions for at least partial control
of plant environment.
A greenhouse, depending upon the
transparency of the glazing material, admits
sunlight which is absorbed by the crop,
equipment, structure and the floor. These
objects in turn emit thermal radiation which
is only partially transmitted out of the Fig. 2.5: Greenhouse

greenhouse. As a result of this, a part of the solar energy

is continually retained in the greenhouse, leading to a
temperature increase. This natural temperature rise in
the greenhouse is utilised during winters to grow crops
with or without supplementary heat. During summers,
the greenhouses are cooled as per the crop requirement.
The closed side container of the greenhouse during
the night results in trapping the air rich with carbon
dioxide, which would improve photosynthetic activity
during the early hours of the day. Air humidity in
the greenhouse can also be increased or lowered. In
addition, favourable light conditions for crops, in terms
of quality and quantity, can be created by providing
supplementary lighting and shading systems. In general,
crops in greenhouses are either grown on beds or in
pots irrigated by micro-irrigation systems. Off-season
vegetables, flowers and ornamental/grow-bags, plants
and nursery raising are fairly remunerative practices in
protected cultivation.
Advantages
1. Off-season cultivation of crops is possible round the
year.
2. Crop cultivation is possible under harsh environ-
mental conditions.

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 Notes 3. They provide excellent opportunities to produce
export-quality crops.
4. Early production of quality seedlings and planting
materials is possible.
5. More production per unit area in comparison to open
field cultivation.
6. Greenhouses can also be used for growing flower
plants, strawberries and propagation of quality fruit
plants.
7. Insect, pest and weed management is easier in
greenhouses than in open fields.
8. Greenhouses can provide substantial income for
cultivators having small land holdings.

Mist Chamber
The main purpose of such a structure is to create
high humidity and droplet-free presence of water for
propagating delicate soft wood cuttings, vegetable
crops, root plants and shrubs, etc. Cuttings are misted
intermittently in place of continuous water application
or drenching. The intermittent water misting is done
using a high pressure pump, pipeline system and a
timer switch. The mist nozzles are connected to the main
pipelines for misting the plant material growing inside
the growth chambers or structures. A mist chamber of
15–25 sq m is sufficient for a nursery. The frequency of
misting depends upon ambient temperature and type of
plant material being propagated.

Advantages
1. Assured supply of plant material throughout the
year, which is not possible in open field cultivation.
2. Mist chambers reduce the rate of moisture loss
from the plants, thereby helping in survival of
root-cuttings as well as for hardening of tissue
cultured plants. Thus, the main advantage of mist
chambers is to avoid the desiccation or drying out of
the plant material.
3. Planting material remains devoid of any susceptibility
to pathogen, insect and pests attack.

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 Notes

Activity 1: Prepare a low tunnel with locally available

materials.
Material required: peg, rope, measuring tape, bamboo stick/
6 mm GI rod, insect proof net.
Procedure
1. Mark the area as per layout.
2. Insert peg as per demarcation.
3. Fix bamboo stick/GI rod.
4. Covering with cladding material.

Check Your Progress

A. Fill in the blanks
1. Low tunnel is also called as ___________ greenhouse.
2. Height of low tunnel is ___________ meter.
3. Polyfilm of ______________ micron thickness is used in
greenhouse.
4. Centre height of walk-in tunnel is generally __________
metre.
5. Commonly used mesh size of insect-proof net house is
____________ mesh.

B. Mark the correct choice

1. Protected structures commonly used for hardening of
plants is
(a) walk-in tunnel (b) shade nethouse
(c) greenhouse (d) low tunnel
2. Protected structures commonly used for early rooting of
cuttings is
(a) walk-in tunnel (b) shade net house
(c) greenhouse (d) mist chamber
3. The suitable structure for propagated plant materials is
(a) polyhouse (b) mist chamber
(c) shade net house (d) plastic low-tunnels

C. Descriptive questions

1. Describe the types of protected structures.

__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

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 Notes 2. Write short notes on the following.
(a) Low tunnel
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
(b) Shade net house
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
(c) Greenhouse
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
(d) Mist chamber
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
(e) Walk-in tunnel
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

D. Match the columns

A B
1. Low tunnel cladding a. Plants protect against solar
radiation
2. Protected cultivation b. Maintain humidity
3. Mist chamber c. 50 micron polythene sheet
4. Shade net houses d. Off-season cultivation

Session 2: Classification of Greenhouses

Greenhouses can be classified according to the material
used in their construction, the shape of their structure
and the climate control methods adopted. Their
classification is sometimes done on the basis of the cost
of fabrication per unit area.

Classification of Greenhouses based on Cost

Low-cost Greenhouse
It is fabricated mainly using local and low-cost available
material like wooden logs or bamboos. The protection
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 of wooden structures from insects and
termites is a major challenge. These
structures are small in size and have a
short life-span. Since the height of the
structure is lesser as compared to those
with steel frames, maintaining proper
temperatures in summer becomes
difficult. Therefore, they are recommended
mostly in cold climatic zones and low
wind speed regions. The approximate cost
Fig. 2.6: Low-cost Greenhouse
of establishing such greenhouse units
ranges between Rs. 450–620 per sq m.

Medium-cost Greenhouse
It is generally fabricated using galvanised iron (GI) square
or rectangular or round pipes or lipped channel or their
combinations. The whole structure is
firmly fixed in the ground to withstand
high speed wind up to 140 km/hr.
Such greenhouses are suitable for
dry and composite climatic zones.
The normal height of these structures
ranges between 6.5–7 m and these
are mostly naturally ventilated.
The climate inside the structure is
regulated by opening and closing of
side curtains (which are rolled above
Fig. 2.7: Medium-cost Greenhouse
permanently fixed insect-proof net
on windows). Thus, air circulation can be regulated.
Humidity is maintained through operation of foggers/
misters. Light intensity can be controlled with the use
of internal collapsible shading nets. The approximate
cost of establishing such naturally ventilated polyhouse
unit ranges between Rs. 900–1000 per sq m depending
upon the size of the structure.

High-cost Greenhouse
For the production of sensitive, off-season, exotic or
quality crops, sometimes medium-cost greenhouses
cannot deliver the requisite quality. Therefore,
high-cost greenhouse structures, which can precisely
regulate climatic and nutritional needs of the plants,

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 are required. The greenhouse climate
parameters are regulated through passive
cooling by operating fan and pad systems
and sensor-based controlled systems. The
approximate cost of establishing such
greenhouse units ranges between Rs.1500–
2500 per sq m depending upon the size of
the structure.
Fig. 2.8: High-cost Greenhouse
Classification of Greenhouses based on shape
(a) Gothic Roof
(b) Slant Roof
(c) Saw Tooth
(d) Flat Roof

Fig. 2.9: Types of Greenhouse based on shape

(a) Gothic Roof (b) Slant Roof (c) Saw Tooth (d) Flat Roof

Classification of Greenhouses based on

cladding material used
(a) Transparent glass
(b) Fiberglass reinforced plastic/polycarbonate
(c) UV-stabilised low density polyethylene film

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 Classification of Greenhouses based on Notes
climate control mechanisms
Naturally Ventilated Greenhouse
The climatic parameters such as temperature, humidity,
carbon dioxide in these polyhouses are maintained
and/or controlled through natural air convection
without using any additional systems, and are mostly
operated manually.

Forced Ventilated Greenhouse

The climatic parameters such as temperature, humidity,
carbon dioxide in these polyhouses are maintained and/
or controlled through forced air circulation using fan
and pad systems (for hot regions)/heaters (for temperate
regions), foggers, curtain actuators (mechanism that
makes the system work) that are controlled with
automatic sensors. These systems are mostly operated
automatically, however, these can be operated manually
as well. These structures require continuous power
supply and backup.

Factors Responsible for Selection of Specific

Design of a Greenhouse
The following factors are kept into consideration while
selecting a specific design.
(a) Type of crop to be grown
(b) Easy availability of raw material
(c) Local climatic conditions
(d) Investing capacity of the farmer
(e) Market demand of the produce
(f) Appreciation to the produce

Activity 1: Identify types of protected structures

Material required: pen, pencil, notebook, etc.

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 Notes
Procedure
Visit any institution and note down the following information.
1. Identify types of structures.
2. Enlist kinds of material used in different structure.
3. Write down utility of each structure observed.
4. Draw sketch of protected structure.

Check Your Progress

A. Fill in the blanks
1. Climatic parameters are mainly maintained in ________.
2. In low cost naturally ventilated polyhouses ________ or
_______ material are generally used.
3. In forced ventilated greenhouses the temperature inside
the structure is maintained with the help of __________.
4. The normal height of medium cost greenhouses ranges
between ____ and ____ m.
5. The sensor based controlled system used in _______
greenhouse.

B. Mark the correct choice

1. A greenhouse does not comes under the classification
based on shape
(a) Quonset type
(b) Curved roof type
(c) Gable roof type
(d) Forced ventilated
2. An approximate cost of establishing low cost greenhouse
is Rs./sq.m.
(a) 900–1000
(b) 1200–1500
(c) 450–620
(d) 200–250

C. Descriptive questions
1. Classify greenhouses on the basis of cost.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Describe in brief
(a) Naturally ventilated greenhouse
(b) Forced ventilated greenhouse
(c) Criteria for selection of specific design

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 D. Match the columns Notes
A B
1. High cost greenhouse a. Manually operated
2. Cladding material b. Short life span
3. Naturally ventilated c. Precisely regulated climatic
greenhouse
4. Low cost greenhouse d. Poly ethylene film

Session 3: Major Components of a

Greenhouse
A greenhouse is constructed with different material and
their components. In this session, the major components
used in greenhouse construction and their features and
functions are described.

Different Greenhouse Components with their

Features and Functions
Cladding Material
Polythenes or other transparent material used for
walls and roof of a greenhouse for protection as well
as transparency, which simulates climatic conditions
inside the greenhouse is called cladding material. The
material could be made of polycarbonate, glass or
poly sheets. The polycarbonate and glass houses are
temporary structures and mostly used for research or
academic purposes. The polythene sheet as a cladding
material is most commonly used and these films are
normally UV-stabilised, 200 micron thick and fixed with
aluminum profiles using zigzag springs.
It is important to select a proper film for the polyhouse,
which has direct relation with the quality of the crop as
well as the quantity of the produce. Polythene should
be properly UV-stabilised and a minimum life span of at
least three years. With 1 kg polyfilm, a maximum area
of 5.4 sq m can be accommodated.

Polyhouse Film
(i) Compulsory properties: UV stabilisation, diffusion/
clear (light transmission)

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 (ii) Optional properties: UV blocking/antivirus,
sulphur resistant, thermic, anti-drip, anti-mist,
anti-dust, three-layer/five-layer films

Crop-wise Recommendations
(i) Dutch roses: Cladding—200 micron thick, UV-
stabilised, anti-dust, anti-sulphur, with cooling
effect, light diffusion
(ii) Gerbera, Bell pepper, Anthurium and Orchids:
Cladding—200 micron thick, UV-stabilised, anti-
dust, with cooling effect, light diffusion
(iii) Carnation: Cladding—200 micron thick, UV-
stabilised, anti-dust, with cooling effect for IR
protection polythene at high altitudes

Gutter
It is used for collecting rainwater from the roof of the
greenhouses and are placed at an elevated level (at least
4–4.5 m from ground level) between two spans.
Gutters are made of galvanised sheet of 2 mm
thickness in trapezoidal shape (preferably of single
length without joint). It should be leak-proof.
Minimum of 1 per cent slope is required for the
Indian Standards
for construction of
gutter. Gutter orientation is in North–South direction
Greenhouse/Polyhouse in multi-span greenhouse and may change according to
The Bureau of Indian
the direction of the wind.
Standards (BIS) has
formulated following Foundation Pipe
standards with respect to It connects the structure and the ground.
Polyhouse/Greenhouses.
1. IS 14462:1997: Tubular Structural Members, Foundation and
Recommendation
for layout, design Labelling
and construction of
greenhouse.
These are the galvanised iron tubular/square pipe and
2. IS 14485:1998: angles. These items are used to erect a stable frame to
Recommendations for support the cladding material and other systems in the
heating, ventilating and greenhouse. These items include horizontal and vertical
cooling of greenhouse. structure members in any polyhouse.
3. IS 15827:2009:
Plastics films for
(i) Purlin: It is a member that connects cladding
Greenhouse supporting bars to the columns.
(ii) Ridge: It is the highest horizontal section on top of
the roof.

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 (iii) Girder: It is a horizontal structural member,
connecting columns on gutter height.
(iv) Bracings: These support the structures against
wind.
(v) Arches: These support covering or cladding
materials.

Polyhouse Length and Width, Orientation gable: transparent

(i) Polyhouse length is the dimension of the polyhouse wall of a greenhouse
in the direction of gable. (Length is side along the
gable or side along the truss lines)
(ii) Polyhouse width is the dimension of the polyhouse
along the gutter.
(iii) Orientation of polyhouse for Ridge
single-span structures, should Truss Ridge ventilator

be East–West. For multi-span Purlin

Gutter
structures, the orientation परनाल
should be North–South. The
distance of trees adjacent to the Gutter supp
greenhouse should be about Lateral
Ventilator
2.5 times the height of the
greenhouse, to avoid shade.
Fig. 2.10

Polyhouse 20m × 28m

Elevation

PCC 1:3:6

Foundation
Isometric View
Plan
Plan
Note:
Gable Width–20m
Gable Length–28m
The Greenhouse measurements are measured by Gable dimension as a Width and Gutter side
dimension as a Length (As shown in Drawing)

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 Notes Micro Irrigation System
Micro irrigation system is the best way for watering
plants in a polyhouse as per the daily needs and the
stage of the crop. Besides this, care should be taken
that water does not trickle directly on the leaves or
the flower, which may lead to disease and scorching of
leaves or flowers.

Fertigation Equipment
For providing fertilisers to the plants as per their daily
needs, water-soluble or liquid fertilisers are injected in
the irrigation mainlines feeding the greenhouse crops.
Fertiliser dosers and tanks are used for injecting soluble
fertilisers. They can also be connected to automatic
mixing and dispensing unit. The fertilisers are dissolved
in different tanks as per compatibility and are mixed in
discrete proportions for supply to the plants through
drip irrigation systems.

Spraying System
This system is used for spraying required chemicals
on the crop to control pests and diseases, if any. The
spraying machines are normally portable but may be
equipped with high pressure motorised piston pumps
and nozzles.

Exhaust Fan and Cooling Pads

For removing hot air from the greenhouses in forced
ventilated greenhouses, cooling pads are used for
cooling the air entering into the greenhouses.
These systems are operated as and when the climatic
parameters like temperature, humidity, etc., inside
the greenhouse need manipulation as per crop growth
requirement.

Shading Net
These are used for controlling light intensity falling on
the crops inside the greenhouse. Various shading nets
with shading capacities like 35 per cent, 50 per cent,
75 per cent are used for different crops and seasons.

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 Sensors and Controllers Notes
They are used for controlling climatic parameters
automatically inside hi-tech greenhouses. These
systems are generally used for very high-value crops
and sensitive activities like soil-less cultivation, tissue
culture plant and hardening activities.

Activity 1: Enlist the different components of a greenhouse

structure
Materials required: notebook, pen, etc.
Procedure
• Visit the nearby greenhouse.
• Observe different components of the greenhouse.
• Note down the components and their use.
• Draw figures of different components.

Check Your Progress

A. Fill in the blanks
1. Transparent material mounted on the walls and roof of
a greenhouse is known as ______________.
2. Gutters are used for __________ the rain water from the
roof of greenhouse.
3. In polyhouse _____________ polyfilm as cladding material
is generally used.

B. Multiple choice questions

1. The distance of trees near to the greenhouse should be
about ____ times the height of the greenhouse
(a) 1.5 (b) 2.5
(c) 3.5 (d) 4.5
2. One kilogram weight of polyfilm can be accommodated
in ____________.
(a) 5.4 sq. (b) 3.4 sq.
(c) 2.4 sq. (d) 1.4 sq.

C. Descriptive questions
1. What are the different components of the greenhouse?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

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 Notes 2. Write short notes on
(i) Shading net
(ii) Micro irrigation system
(iii) Fertigation equipment

D. Match the columns

A B
1. Connects cladding (a) Foundation pipe
supporting bars to columns
2. Highest horizontal section (b) Purlin
in top of the roof
3. To support the structure (c) Ridge
against wind
4. Connection between (d) Bracings
the structure and ground

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