| ABSTRACT |
Tropical Greenhouse with Fan-Pad Cooling System (TGPCS) was developed by integration of Greenhouse Structure, Fan-Pad Cooling, Fertigation and Automatic Control Systems for high value temperate vegetable in tropical lowlands. Firstly, the enclosed Greenhouse Structure transmits solar radiation, shelters rain, protects wind, excludes pests, insects and weed seeds from entering. Greenhouse Structure is made of tunnel shape roof, galvanized steel tube structure, transparent polyethylene cladding, woven polyethylene floor and double door entrance. The greenhouse is made of local materials, pre-fabrication and mass production. Secondly, the Fan-Pad Cooling System reduces temperature, increases humidity, enriches carbon dioxide and exchanges air in the sunny day. Cooling System is made of recycle dripping water in cellulose pad, exhaust fans with louver casings and automatic controller. Thirdly, the Fertigation System supplies water and fertilizer precisely to crop root zone according to crop requirements. Fertigation System consists of nutrient tank, water pump, fertilizer injector, filter, distribution pipes and automatic controller. Finally, the Automatic Controller System operates cooling and fertigation systems automatically. Automatic Controller has control panel, irrigation and cooling program, cabling, sensors and actuators. TGPCS enables high yield and premium quality hybrid temperate vegetable production in the tropical lowlands. TGPCS provides required solar radiation, air temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide between 2,000¿8,000 W m-2, 25-30 oC, 60-80 % and 300-400 ppm respectively. In addition, it reduces risks against extreme radiation, rainfall, insects, diseases, weeds and wind. The TGPCS also energy savings in cooling, reduces 40 ¿ 60% labor dependency and no pesticides required in crop maintenance. It is novel and green technology, sustainable and environmental friendly agricultural production system. TGPCS is technically feasible and economically viable.
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