Biocontrol in energy-saving cool temperature greenhouse production

Abstract

Energy costs for greenhouse growers continue to increase, with an associated negative effect on profitability for greenhouse growers. This has led to renewed interested in growing crops at cooler temperatures either by turning down the greenhouse thermostat or finishing a crop in an unheated high tunnel (Burnett et al., 2011; Beytes, 2010). In January 2011, Mattson made a presentation on recent high tunnel and cool crop production research at the Long Island Greenhouse School. On the program evaluation, 34 percent of respondents stated they would definitely plan on growing more crops under cool conditions, and 46% would consider growing more crops under cool conditions, as a result of the talk.