Shading and air velocity influence on greenhouse microclimate

A comprehensive experimental study was initiated to investigate the effects of shading rates as solar interceptors and air velocity on the greenhouse crop environment. The 50% shade nets reduced evapotranspiration (ET) rates by 22% while solar energy loads were reduced by 45%. For the 50% shaded greenhouse, increasing air velocities above plant from 0.1 to 0.6 m/s significantly increased ET rates by 16%; for the 0% shade, ET rates were not significantly increased by air velocity. For the 0% shaded greenhouse, top leaf temperatures were approximately VC higher than air temperatures when air velocities were approximately 0.1 m/s. When air velocities across the plants were approximately 0.6 m/s, top leaf temperatures were nearly equal to or slightly less than air temperatures. For the 50% shade, both leaf temperatures at the top and within the plant canopy were consistently lower than air temperatures.