Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)

Today, advanced technologies have dramatically increased vegetable, fruit, and flower yields, with a whole new array of varieties available to the greenhouse industry. Growing greenhouse crops is one of the most exacting and intensive forms of all agriculture enterprises. Hydroponics / soilless growing systems, in combination with greenhouses, require high technology, and can be capital intensive and highly productive. For success, a grower must have a clear understanding and knowledge of horticulture, plant physiology, growing media, plant pathology and entomology, as well as computer and labor relations skills and the engineering capability to provide an environment best suited for plant growth. This knowledge base, plus management skills in greenhouse vegetable production, is a must.

One of the greenhouses at UA-CEAC, undergoing routine maintenance

Aspiring new growers must seek the correct greenhouse design that will provide and maintain a growing environment that will result in maximum crop yields and quality.

While there is no one best greenhouse, the structural design must provide protection from wind, rain, heat, cold, insects, and diseases. The structural members and covering must permit maximum light transmission to the crop. This, along with excellent temperature control, is central to high-quality products.

Soilless technology + greenhouse structures =
Controlled environment agriculture (CEA)

While growing in soil has been the standard for generations, major challenges with soilborne diseases and the lack of control over mineral nutrition and fruit quality require major changes moving forward.

Hydroponic/soilless technology, in combination with greenhouse structures (better termed controlled environment agriculture) have been developed to provide precise control over air and root temperatures, irrigation, plant nutrition, humidity, carbon dioxide, and even light. Newly available growing media, such as coco coir, are rapidly becoming popular. Today, such growing systems provide little root volume to reduce costs and maximize control over mineral nutrition, root aeration, diseases, and fruit flavor.

Fertigation workshops offered at UA-CEAC address both the basics, as well as more advanced fertigation systems

A technological revolution occurred with the advent of drip irrigation, which offers the only means of applying uniform water and fertilizer to the plant. Such systems have assured maximum yields while conserving fertilizer nutrients, and controlling costs associated not only with fertilizer but also water, labor, and machinery costs.

Fertilizer formulas, while quite similar, will differ according to the crop grown. Today, a whole new and exciting future in mineral nutrition is evolving for growing organic vegetables using systems of growing that are providing remarkable success.

Integrated pest management (IPM)

Today, pests and pathogens are best managed through an approach that is termed integrated pest management (IPM). In general, IPM is a multilayered approach involving the use of biological controls, plant genetics, and cultural practices, as well as chemical inputs, where necessary. Pesticides are avoided if at all possible because they are expensive and will reduce the potential for maximum yields.

A thorough knowledge of all diseases and insects, along with their control, is extremely important if one is to succeed.

Light, water, shade, wind, grade, drainage, labor, transportion, fuel… these factors and more may have a bearing on where you site your growing operation

A good building site is crucial for the proper function and operation of a greenhouse.

A constant supply of good water is imperative, and it must have good drainage of surface water and subsurface drainage. The location should additionally be free of high winds. If natural light is to be the primary source, the availability of good light is critical, and unless you have an overabundance of natural light, the site should also be unshaded by trees and mountains.

One must also have access to good labor and all-weather roads to markets, as well as availability of dependable and economically efficient energy, such as electricity and fuel for heating and mechanical cooling if needed.

Fresh-market flavor speaks volumes

Greenhouse crops are high in value and perishable, and must have a market quality advantage over imported products coming from long distances, whether it be nationally or internationally.

One must be able to produce high-quality products under a label that indicates the products are Locally Produced. Provenance, together with freshness, visual appeal, aroma, and flavor, constitute an irresistible combination in the marketplace.

Select varieties and source your seed with the utmost care

It is extremely important to select a reputable seed dealer that provides a wide selection of greenhouse vegetable varieties of the highest quality — a company that works with seed companies and plant breeders worldwide in the selection of the most suitable varieties for greenhouse vegetable production.

Growers producing fruit and flowers under protected culture must apply the same precaution in sourcing seed and plant material.

Murat Kacira, PhD, presenting on sensors and controls in CEA

It is important not only for new growers to gain firsthand knowledge on the new technologies of controlled environment agriculture, but for existing growers also to gain up-to-date information on developments that are rapidly changing in today's industry. Companies and growers that don't pay attention to these new developments will have technology pass them by, decreasing their competitive edge.

As communities throughout the world are growing, their access to fresh, affordable, safe food becomes increasingly critical and so, too, does the role of the direct-market grower in association with protected environment agriculture. We encourage continuing education, networking, and hands-on workshops to keep abreast of rapidly advancing developments in this exciting field.