GreenHouse News

Transforming Urban Spaces: Austria’s Mega Greenhouse in Shanghai In 2010, Shanghai hosted the World Expo in the Pudong district, transforming a site that once housed a coal power plant and steelworks. Over a decade later, the preserved steel framework of a historic industrial hall has become the centerpiece for the “Expo Cultural Park Greenhouse Garden,” designed by Austria’s Delugan Meissl Associated Architects

Drones and Agri-Photovoltaics: The Future of Sustainable Farming in Bavaria High-Tech Drones Revolutionizing Crop Monitoring The Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture

Greenhouse Tomatoes: A Lifeline in Drought-Stricken Somalia Somalia’s Greenhouse Revolution Somalia, an East African country often plagued by drought, is currently enduring one of its most severe dry spells in decades. With rainfall virtually nonexistent for over a month, traditional farming methods have become increasingly untenable. Amidst this crisis, young farmers like Abdirahman Sabriye are pioneering a solution: greenhouse farming. On the outskirts of Mogadishu, Abdirahman has established greenhouses to cultivate tomatoes. Using water-efficient drip irrigation, he harvests approximately 400 kilograms of tomatoes every two days. These are picked green to ripen later, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce. “In greenhouses, we can harvest far more than on open fields,” he says, emphasizing the importance of this innovation in addressing local food shortages. The Advantages of Greenhouse Farming Greenhouses offer significant benefits in drought-affected regions like Somalia: Water Efficiency: With less evaporation and precise drip irrigation, greenhouses drastically reduce water consumption—a critical factor in water-scarce areas. Year-Round Harvesting: Unlike traditional farming reliant on seasonal rains, greenhouse cultivation enables continuous production. ...

Next-Generation Solar Panels Revolutionize Greenhouse Energy Efficiency Solar Energy Meets Agriculture Harnessing renewable energy in greenhouses has traditionally posed challenges. Conventional photovoltaic systems block essential sunlight, hindering plant growth. However, Voltiris, a Swiss startup, has engineered a solution that integrates solar power production seamlessly into greenhouse operations. Using an advanced spectral filtering technology, Voltiris PV panels selectively convert unused light wavelengths, such as UV, into electricity while allowing the critical light spectrum for photosynthesis to pass through. This ensures crops receive the sunlight they need while generating clean energy. Pilot Implementation in Füllinsdorf The Eschbach Gemüsebau farm, a leader in microgreen cultivation, partnered with Voltiris and EBL

High-Tech Paint Boosts Greenhouse Yields and Reduces Costs Greenhouses are pivotal in modern agriculture, providing controlled environments for growing crops. However, in regions with limited sunlight, artificial lighting—often powered by expensive LEDs—has been a necessary but costly solution. Researchers at the University of Bath, in collaboration with Lambda Agri, have developed a groundbreaking solution: a high-tech paint that transforms sunlight into wavelengths plants use more effectively. The Science Behind the Paint The paint works by mimicking the fluorescence effect seen in certain chemicals, such as quinine in tonic water, which glows under UV light. By absorbing UV rays and re-emitting them as red light, the paint enhances photosynthesis—the process plants use to convert light into energy. With an impressive efficiency rate of 80–90%, the paint enables plants to grow with less light input, effectively boosting their productivity. In trials conducted in greenhouses treated with the paint, basil plants showed a 9% increase in yield compared to those grown in untreated conditions. Researchers suggest that similar benefits could apply to crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and lettuce. Extending Growing Seasons and Cutting Costs One of the most signifi...

Empowering Greenhouse Farming: New Grants for Berry and Vegetable Cultivation in Russia As greenhouse farming gains traction in Russia, the regional Ministry of Agriculture has introduced a grant program to incentivize the cultivation of berries and vegetables in closed-ground systems. This support measure aims to enhance food security, reduce dependency on imports, and create opportunities for small-scale farmers. Grant Details The initiative targets citizens managing personal subsidiary farms

From Pineapples to Pitaya: How Schoolchildren in Serebryansk Are Growing Exotic Fruits In the quiet town of Serebryansk, students from School No. 1, named after M.V. Inyushin, are doing something extraordinary: growing exotic fruits like pineapples, pitaya

Maximizing Greenhouse Efficiency with Strategic Crop Combinations Greenhouses offer controlled environments that extend growing seasons and improve crop yields. However, the success of a greenhouse depends heavily on the compatibility of crops and the management of temperature, humidity, and light. Poor planning can lead to plant stress, slower growth, and reduced yields. Temperature Requirements for Common Crops Each plant thrives within specific temperature ranges, and understanding these needs is key to effective greenhouse management: Eggplants: Soil temperature should be at least +18°C, with air temperatures around +20°C. Tomatoes: A minimum of +15°C for both air and soil. Cucumbers: Optimal nighttime temperatures are +16°C and daytime temperatures +18°C, with growth stalling below +10°C. Onions: Require a minimum of +10°C for successful growth. Celery: Grows best starting at +12°C. Peppers: Thrive at a minimum temperature of +15°C. Crop Compatibility in Shared Spaces Combining crops in a greenhouse can save space and resources, but not all plants are compatible. Tomatoes pair well with beans, beets, and melons. Beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, while melons share similar environmental needs. Peppers and eggplants should be kept apart due to their o...

Revolutionizing Potato Farming: Virus-Free Seed Tubers in Russia’s Greenhouses The agricultural sector in Russia is witnessing a significant advancement with the establishment of specialized greenhouses in “Bunyatino,” a leading enterprise in the production of seed potatoes. The project focuses on growing virus-free seed tubers using advanced methodologies, a critical step toward achieving food security and reducing reliance on imported seeds. The Science Behind Virus-Free Potatoes Producing virus-free seed potatoes involves advanced biotechnological methods, including apical meristem culture and microclonal propagation. Plants are grown in sterile environments, tested for viruses using techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Revolutionizing Agriculture: Omsk’s First Vertical Greenhouse Set to Transform Green Production The Omsk region is emerging as a leader in advanced agricultural practices with the announcement of its first vertical greenhouse. This facility, set to be built within the city, is projected to yield over 350 tons of fresh greens annually. Vertical farming represents a transformative approach to agriculture, optimizing limited urban spaces to grow crops efficiently. According to Nikolai Drofa, Minister of Agriculture for Omsk, the region has secured funding and begun preparatory works for several agricultural projects, including this innovative greenhouse. The facility will employ cutting-edge technologies such as hydroponics and LED lighting to cultivate leafy greens in stacked layers, maximizing output on minimal land area. This aligns with global trends where vertical farms use up to 90% less water and significantly reduce the need for pesticides compared to traditional farming methods. Globally, vertical farming is gaining traction as a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture. Projects like AeroFarms and Plenty in the United States have demonstrated the potential to increase crop yields by up to 350 times compared to traditional farms of similar size, while usin...