Soil, Without ventilation, the temperature in the greenhouse reaches considerable values even in April. When outside the air temperature reaches values of 15 C°, the temperature inside it is within the limits of the level of 40 C°.
In addition to the obvious advantage of reducing the internal temperature in the greenhouse, as well as equalizing the internal temperature, ventilation will reduce the incidence of foliar diseases.
The moving air removes moisture from the plants, resulting in the creation of a dry microclimate in the greenhouse. Dew on plants occurs when the temperature of the leaves is well below the greenhouse temperature.
This difference causes the phenomenon of condensation that creates an ideal environment for the appearance of diseases, especially during clear nights and without the use of foil with additives that would block infrared radiation, the temperature of the leaves will be several degrees lower than that of the air in the greenhouse.
The use of ventilation will reduce this difference and avoid or reduce the amount of dew deposited on the plants.
During daylight, photosynthesis takes place, during which plants consume carbon dioxide from the air layer in the immediate vicinity of the leaf. The ventilation will replace the air in the leaf area, with depleted carbon dioxide content, with new portions of air with a higher carbon dioxide content, in the case when carbon dioxide is administered in the greenhouse, the ventilation will reduce the need for this gas by 40% .
Preserving Soil Health: Understanding Biological Soil Degradation
The passive natural ventilation system consists in making some openings on the roof of the greenhouse, on its side or on its front, obtaining overhead windows, doors, or roll-up windows
The surface of the zenith windows should be equal to the surface of the roll-up windows and each of them should constitute 15…20% of the production surface of the greenhouse.
Actually, the movement of air and its passage from inside the greenhouse to the outside and vice versa, is done naturally, due to the pressure differences between the air inside and outside and the pressure exerted by the wind. Thus, a gust of wind with a speed of 1…1.3 m/sec ensures 80% of the maximum possible ventilation. In organizing a ventilation system, the main thing is to create the “chimney” effect. For this the greenhouse should be at least 3 meters high at the ridge .
Biological soil degradation. How “living soil” helps us and how to protect it
The importance of maintaining the properties and quality of the soil has always been talked about, but, despite this fact, in recent decades the soil is increasingly affected and subjected to degradation processes.
Depending on the factors that cause it, soil degradation can be of several types: physical, chemical, biological and ecological. In this article we discuss the importance of soil organisms, the functions they perform and what constitutes biological soil degradation.
In general, there is no single definition for “soil degradation”, but it is certain that degradation includes natural and anthropogenic (man-made) processes that reduce the ability of the soil to support human life, given that the soil is the most important means of food production.
Preserving Soil Vitality: Combating Biological Degradation
The biological degradation of the soil involves the reduction of the number, mass, composition, diversity, the deterioration of the way of life of living things and the functions they have in the soil, following external and internal factors and is a natural consequence of the physical and chemical deterioration of the soil .
The main causes of affecting the activity of living things in the soil are: insufficient food, large amounts of agrochemicals, loosening or excessive disturbance of the soil through numerous works.
In the relationship: soil work-biological activity-mineralization processes-formation of new compounds , the quantity and quality of the nutrient substrate are of the greatest importance . The physical, substance, and organic states of the dirt are convoluted by culturing.
The intensity of tillage, the quantity and the way of incorporation of plant residues influence the water content in the soil, the state of aeration, the temperature and the contact between mineral and organic particles.
These changes in the physical environment of the soil influence the organisms that live in that space, the various categories of organisms responding differently to the new conditions.
Various research shows that, in addition to the fact that in the last decades the number of useful organisms in the soil has decreased, on the other hand, the share of species that favor humus degradation has increased.
As a result of the anthropic impact (that is, human activity), the quantity, diversity and functional activity of soil organisms has reduced by 2-3 times. As a result, the bioproductivity and ecological stability of soils decreased.
Measures to reduce the biological degradation of soils.
Delicate Balance: Impact on Soil Microbes
To reduce the biological degradation of the soil, it is necessary to implement several complex measures. On the other hand, there are straightforward measures that every farmer may do to conserve the soils.
Its conservative work has an important role in reducing the biological degradation of soils. This fact explained by the fact that the absence of tillage (in direct seeding) allows the accumulation of plant residues on the surface of the soil, providing food and better protection on the surface against erosion, changing the conditions on the surface and in the upper soil layer and creating a micro- favorable habitat for all soil organisms.
Research shows that the microbial mass in the soil reacts differently in relation to the mode of work or loosening. The more intense it is, the stronger the negative effects will be.
Thus, the hyphae of mushroom colonies, which branched through. The entire soil profile, can be directly and dramatically affected by. The mechanical action of agricultural machines.
Bacterial colonies, which usually live in the center of structural soil aggregates, can survive as long as they are not degraded.
In the first 10 cm of the soil, the populations of microorganisms are lower in conventional tillage systems compared to those where direct sowing practiced.
This was due both to the increase in the content of organic matter and the improvement of its quality, as well as to the improvement of some physical characteristics of the soil regarding the state of settlement, the different way of formation, redistribution, morphology of the macropores, the increase in water content.
Direct Sowing: Reigniting Soil’s Biological Symphony
In contrast to conventional systems, in direct sowing the biological . Activity is more intense due not only to the improvement of food conditions. But also to the formation of macropores of biological origin, especially through the activity of earthworms.
As a result of different technological tillage systems, quantitative. And qualitative changes in the structure of microbial populations occur, on the one hand. And, on the other hand, the requirements for certain such communities become different.
Thus, in conservative systems and especially direct sowing. Saprophytic fungi become the most important having a major role. In the decomposition of plant residues on the soil surface. While bacteria are the most important in conventional loosening of the soil.
It also found that in conservative systems, especially in direct seeding. Compared to conventional loosening, the formation and stabilization of structural. Aggregates is predominantly determined by fungal colonies.
In conservative systems, especially in direct sowing, the population of lumbricidae significantly higher compared to conventional loosening.
In conventional systems, the reduction or even the disappearance of lumbricides. And some species of bacteria with a special role in the process of decomposition of organic. And vegetable remains and the formation of humus. The stabilization of structural aggregates, determined by insufficient food and excessive soil disturbance .
As previously mentioned, soil life affected by excessive tillage. Research shows that the implementation of the No-tillage system. (sowing directly, without tillage) has positive effects on microorganisms on most soils.
Respect For Employment
Monoculture (cultivation of one and the same crop for several years in a row on the same land). Leads to the reduction of the microbiotic biomass. The biological diversity of the microbiota and the intensity of biological processes in the soil. The accumulation activity of atmospheric nitrogen in the soils is significantly reduced.
As a result, in the case of a short rotation of crops with the predominance of grasslands. A large nitrogen deficit created in the soil , in connection with this, in some rotations. It is necessary to administer large doses of nitrogen fertilizers.
At the same time, fragments of organic residues in various stages of decomposition. Populated by fungal microflora, many components of which secrete toxic. Substances into the environment, accumulate in the soils.
Short rotations with the predominance of grasses lead to the reduction of soil microbiota. Biodiversity and the reduction of soil fertility. Thus, it is necessary to avoid crop rotations with
a high share of grasses and the cultivation of grasses for several years in a row.
The inclusion of legumes in crop rotation or their cultivation. As covert crops leads to the improvement of the soils structure. The enrichment of the soil with organic matter, the preservation and increase of useful micromycetes in the soil.
Solutions that will alleviate all your pest-related concerns and bring back the peace and serenity you deserve. Pest control Greenwich,Pest control Darien, Pest control New Canaan, Pest control Wilton, Pest control stamford.