Materials of Construction for Traditional and Low
Cost Greenhouses
Traditional and loW-cost grecenhouses are primarily designed for
protection. These structures usc locally available. cost-effective. affordability and basic crop
and easily workable
materials, making them suitable for small and marginal farmers. While they
advanccd climate control features, they provide afunctional may
lack
environment for off-scason or
protected cultivation.
1. Frame Materials
Material Description Advantages Limitations
Bamboo Locally sourced, renewable, |Cheap, biodegradable. Susceptible to decay.
lightweight good strength termites, shorter lifespan
Uscd in traditional
Wood
greenhouses, especially in Strong, easy to work Prone to warping.
|(timber) hilly regions
with roting, and pest damage
Used in semi-permanent low-|Lightweight, corrosion-|Degrades under
PVC Pipes cOst structures
resistant., flexible prolonged UV exposure
Mild Steel Galvanized or painted to |Durable, available, Needs anti-rust coating.
(MS) resist corrosion structurally strong |heavier
2. Foundation/Base Materials
Material Description Remarks
Brick Masonry Common in semi-permanent traditional Provides good anchorage
greenhouses for posts
Concrete Piers |Usedto support main columns/post ends |Durable andstable in all
in medium to low-cost houses weather conditions
Used in rural/hilly areas where stone is Economical but uneven and
Stone Footings
locally available labor-intensive
Buried Poles Least cost but limited life
(bamboo or wood) U'sed in temporary setups
span
3.Cladding/Covering Materials
Material Cost Range Life
Description Remarks
(INR/m) Span
UV Stabilized
Polythene Film (200 |Most commonly used |Available in
2-3
R20-30
lfor low-Cost structures |years single/double layers
micron)
Cost Range Life
Material Description (INR/m') Remarks
Span
Forshade net houses or 20-40 Controls light and
Shade Net (3$-75%) s0dewall ventilation ears
|temperature
Uscdon side walls or
Insect Net (40-50 Ensures ventilation
mesh) vents to prevent pest RIS-25
entrv
years without pest risk
Traditional material for
Jute/Sack Cloth
temporary shading Minimal cost Few Very low cost. not
months weather-resistant
1. Fastening and Joint Materials
Material
Usage RemarkS
Binding Wires For tying bamboo or pipes Inexpensive, but may rust
Clips/Clamps For attaching plastic film or
shade net |Easy to install, reusable
Plastic Temporary fasten1ng or suppOrt
Ropes/Twine for vines Uy-resistant types last longer
Nails/Screws/Bolts Fixing wood or MS parts Galvanized types preferred to av oid
corrosion
2. Ventilation Materials
Component Material Used
Description
Side Curtains Polythene or shade net Manually rollable for temperature control
|Roof Vents (optional)| Mesh + flap For passive natural ventilation
Summary:
Component Low-Cost Material Traditional Material
Frame Bamboo, PVC Wood, mild steel
Covering |UV polythene, shade net Jute, sack cloth
|Foundation/BaseBrick, stone, bambo0 poles Brick, concrete, vood
Fasteners |Rope, wires, plastic clips Nails, bolts, wooden pegs
Ventilation
Manual flaps, shade net openings Wooden laps, mesh-covered holes
Naturally Ventilated Solar Greenhouse(NVSGH)
A Naturally Ventilated Solar Greenhouse (NVSGH) is a type of protected cultivation
structure that uses solar energy and natural airflow to maintain favorable growing
conditions without relying heavily on artificial climate control systems. These greenhouses
are energy-efficient, cost-effective. and especially suitable for tropical and subtropical
climates like that of India.
Design Guidelines
Slope angle: 22-30° roof angle for nmaximum solar gain 25-30% of wall area
Vent size: Ridge vent = 15-20% of floor area; side vents =
Orientation: Align longer side in the east-west direction to trap
maximum sunlight
Climate Control Features (Passive)
Temperature Regulation: Controlled via side vents, roof vents,
and shading.
supplemented with foggers.
Humidity Management: Through airflow; sometimescross-ventilation
relies on and shade nets.
Cooling Mechanism: No active cooling
required).
Heating: Utilizes passive solar heating and thermal mass (no heaters
Features of aNaturally Ventilated Solar Greenhouse
Feature Description
fans used)
Ventilation Passive ventilation through sidewalls and ridge vents(no
Orientation East-West alignment to maximize sunlight absorption
pipes, and
|Mostly made with low-cost materials like bamboo, GI
Structure
polythene
Covering UV-stabilized polythene film (200 micron)
Material
months
Solar Heating Utilizes sunlight for natural heating, especially in cooler
Sometimes includes water barrels or brickS to store
heat and release it at
Thermal Mass
night
Structural Design and Components
Description
Component
air circulation
|Roof Type Gable or saw-tooth with ventilation ridge for natural
allow cross-ventilation
Side Walls Roll-up or fixed with insect net or shade net to
Frame Material|Bamboo, GI pipes, wood, or PVC depending on cost and availability
Component Description
stability
Foundation Brick or concrete base with anchoring for structural
Suitable Crops for NVSGH
V'egetables: Tomato, cucumber, capsicum, lettuce, spinach
Herbs: Basil. coriander, mint
Flowers: Marigold, chrysanthemum
Nursery: Vegetable or flower seedlings
Estimated Cost
Size Estimated Cost (INR) Remarks
100m² R60,000 -1,00,000 Basic structure with roll-up sides
500 m² 3.00.000 -5.00,000 With brick foundation and insect net
1000m²R6.00.000 10,00.000||Can be expanded for commercial use
Conclusion
option for small
A Naturally Ventilated Solar Greenhouse is a sustainable and affordable
with minimal investment.
and medium farmers looking to extend their crop growing season for
performance
Though it lacks full automation, it provides substantial protection and agro
similar
climate-resilient agriculture, especially in the Western Odisha region and
climatic Zones.
Concept andConstruction of Low Tunnels
Low tunncls, also known as row covers or minigreenhrn0es, are ternprtaty kro tets
protective structures used in agriculture and horticulture to createafavorahle mereimat
around crops. These are widely used for early planting. frrst protectinn ad ff eaun
cultivation.
" Purpose: Modify microclimate (temperature. hurnidity, and lighty tro enhae plat
growth.
Structure: Semi-circular hoops covered with transparent plastic filrn s iest ss
placed over crop rows.
Function: Traps solar radiation during the day and reduces heat lns at right. wing
like amini-greenhouse.
Usage Period: Seasonalinstalled during carly sprirng, winter, or rainy ezUt) i
removed after the critical growth period.
Construction of Low Tunnels
1. Materials Required
Component Material Options Specifications
Hoops/Frames
Galvanized iron wire, bamboo, PVC Diameter: 4-8 Tnm: Height: 45 44)
pipes cm above ground
Covering |Transparent polythene (30-50 Width: 1-1.5 m
Material micron), shade net, insect net
Clips/Ties |Jute rope, nylon string, clips For securing film to hoops
Support Pegs Wooden sticks or U-pins For anchoring frarme nds to
ground
2.Step-by-Step Construction
1. Prepare the soil bed (raised or flat depending on drainage).
2. Insert hoops on both sides of the row at 1-1.5 m intervals.
3. Connect hoops with a horizontal top line or rod (optional for added stability).
4. Drape the polythene sheet or net over the hoops.
5. Secure the cover by burying its sides in soil or tying it with pegs or ropes.
6. Make small slits or flaps on sunny days for ventilation (manually managed).
7. Remove or roll up once ambient conditions become favorable for crops.
Suitable Crops
Vegetables: Tomato,cucumber, capsicum, chilli, brinjal
Leafy greens: Spinach, coriander, fenugreck, lettuce
Cucurbits: Bottle gourd, bitter gourd, watermelon
Nurseries: Vegetable or flower seedlings
Advantages
Benefit Description
Early and off-season production Enables sowing 20-30 days earlier
Shields crops from low night temperatures
Frost protection
Warmer microclimate promotes better germination/growth
Enhanced growth
Low cost |Affordable for small/marginal farmers
Easy to install/remove |Temporary andreusable with minimal labor
Limitations
Limitation Remarks
Manual ventilation needed Risk of overheating if not properly ventilated
Short lifespan Plasticfilm may degrade in 1-2 seasons
Labor required For daily management and cover handling
Limited protection Not suitable for very high rainfall or strong winds
Cost Estimation (per 100 m² area)
Component Estimated Cost (INR)
Hoops (PVC or GI wire) Z600 1,000 1g
Plastic film (30-50 micron)500 800
200 - 7400
gh
Ropes. pegs, clips
Total (approx.) 1.300 -2.200
Applications in Odisha & Similar Regions "ia
Useful for early rabi vegetable sowing in Western Odisha.
Beneficial in frost-prone districts like Nuapada, Balangir, or Kalahandi.markets. , Ch
off-season
Enhancesincome for small and marginal farmers through
Ood
spar
ly, fr
inligh
, rest
Greenhouse Type for Best Suited Regions/States
Greenhouse Type BestSuited Regions/States Crops Grown
Naturally Ventilated Maharashtra.Odisha, Karnataka Vegetables, flowers
Fan & Pad (Hi-tech) Gujarat. Rajasthan. Telangana Orchids. capsicum. lettuce. cut flowers
Solar Greenhouse Himachal. Kashmir. Uttarakhand |Leafy greens. cabbage, nursery
Shade Net House Kerala. Andhra. Tanmil Nadu, Goa Ornamentals. leafy vegetables
Low Tunnels Punjab, 0disha. UP. Bihar Cucurbits. spinach. coriander
Bamboo Polyhouse Odisha,Chhattisgarh. Jharkhand Tomato, chilli. nursery crops
Shade Net House
Shade net houses are an important component of protected cultivation
suitable for regions with high solar radiation, strong systems. particularly
winds, or moderate raintall. These
structures are made by covering a frame-usually constructed from galvanized
bamboo. or PVC-with knitted or woven shade nets of various iron (G).
shading intensities. By
filtering sunlight and moderating environmental conditions, shade net houses
favorable microclimate for the growth of various erops. create a
The primary purpose of a shade net house is to control sunlight intensity, reduce
temperature, and protect erops from biotic and abiotic stresses such as wind, heavy rain.
birds, and insects. Different shade percentages (commonly 35%, 50%, 75°o, and 90%)
selected are
depending on the crop's light requirement. For example,
and cucumber thrive under 35-50% shade, while delicate ornamentalvegetables like capsicum
flowers such as orehids
may require 75% or higher shading.
Shade net houses are extensively used for nursery raising, especially for vegetables, truits,
and ornamental plants. They offer a semi-controlled environment that supports better
germination and uniform seedling growth. The structure also serves as a hardening chamber
for young plants before field transplantation, reducing transplant shock und inerasing
survival rates.
In addition to nursery production, shade net houses are ideal for cultivating high-value crops
like gerbera, marigold, coriander, lettuce, and aloe vera, particularly in tropical climates.
They enable off-season and quality production by providing protection against scorching
sunlight and preventing leaf burn or flower drop.
The cost of constructing a shade net house is signilicantly lower than that of a fully climate
controlled polyhouse, making it a cost-effeetive solution for smalland narginal farmers.
Horticulture
With financial support from government schemes such as MIDH and State Odisha.
Maharashtra,
Missions, the adoption of shade net houses has increased in states like
TamilNadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
Despite their advantages, shade net houses have some limitations. They do not offer complete
protection from rain or cold temperatures, and their structural materials, especially low
quality nets, may degrade over time due to UVexposure. However, with proper maintenance
and timely replacement of covers, these structures remain a practical and efficient choice for
low- to medium-tech protected cultivation.
