Objective- To study about the types of Poly-house and Net house.
Definition of Polyhouse
Polyhouse farming is a new and widely accepted method of farming in present days. The
Polyhouse is a tunnel used with polyethylene in semi-circular shape. Polyethylene sheets
stabilize the ultraviolet rays and helps in proper photosynthesis in crops. We can make it in other
shapes also but the semi-circular shape is most adopted shape in Polyhouse.
Types of Poly houses
Based on environmental controlling system poly house are two types following as;
1. Manually controlled polyhouses
2. Naturally ventilated polyhouses
Description
In semi-automatic control system, manual adjustments are needed to maintain the Polyhouse in
good condition whereas in automatic system, pre-settings are enough for the maintenance of
Polyhouse. Proper alertness and technical skills should be needed while managing semi-
automatic Polyhouse. Any deviation from this may result in damage of crop and may lead to
loss. In an automatic system of Polyhouse less attention is enough for maintenance, but it is very
costlier compared to semi-automatic type.
Shade Net House
A Shade house is a structure enclosed by agro nets or any other woven material to allow required
sunlight, moisture, and air to pass through the gaps. It creates an appropriate micro climate
conducive to the plant growth. It is also referred as shade net house or net house.
Used of Shade Net House
1. Helps in cultivation of flower plants, foliage plants, medicinal plants, spice & vegetables.
2. Used for fruit and vegetable nurseries as well as for raising of forest species etc.
3. Helps in quality drying of various agro products.
4. Used to protect against pest attack.
5. Protects from natural weather disturbances such as wind, rain, hail, and frost.
6. Used in production of graft saplings and reducing its mortality during hot summer days.
7. Used for hardening tissue culture plantlets.
Planning for a shade house
The shade house structure should be planned taking into consideration the type of crop to be
grown, locally available materials and local climatic conditions. The provision for future
expansion should be there.
Site selection
A shade house should be situated in such a way that it is well connected with market for input
supplies and sale of its produces. This structure should be constructed away from buildings and
trees, so also away from industrial or vehicular pollutants. The site should be free from drainage
problem. There should be provision of electricity and good quality water. However, wind
breakers may be located 30m away from the structure.
Orientation
There are mainly two criteria for shade house orientation. They are the uniformity of light
intensity in the shade house and wind direction. Single span structure may be oriented either in
east-west or north-south direction but multispan structure should be oriented in north-south
direction to ensure uniform light intensity.
Structural Materials
A shade house structure composed of two basic components i.e., frame and cladding material.
The shade house frame provides support for cladding material and designed to protect against
wind, rain, and crop loud. The shade house mild steel (ms) angle frame lasts up to 20 to 25 years,
if anti rust treatment is done at regular interval, whereas bamboo structure can last up to 3 years.
The agro shade net lasts for 3 to 5 years depending on the climatic condition. Shade nets are
available in different colours with wide range of shade percentages viz. 25%, 30%, 35%, 50%,
60%, 75% and 90%.
The design of shade house frames depends on the need and engineering skill. Structural frames
of Quonset, gable, or gothic arch shape or with minor modification suitable to local condition are
recommended in high rainfall areas like Orissa.
Design and Construction of shade house
Two types of shade house designs have been developed at Precision Farming Development
Centre, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar. The principal advantage
of these shade houses is that these structures do not require any welding at the site. Another
advantage is that foundation posts have been chosen to protect these structures against termite
attack.
