Increase in tomato production U30-NRC
The value traditionally used for outdoor weather monitoring and weather station greenhouse applications has gradually been proven. Changes in temperature, humidity, light and other greenhouse conditions can have a profound effect on the productivity and quality of plant growth, and many growers today integrate weather station technology as part of an overall climate control strategy. By continuously monitoring numerous environmental conditions, growers are able to better understand how fluctuating, climatic conditions and respond to these changes in order to maximize yield and efficiency.
This is the case at the Fort Machine Greenhouse in Tega Mountain, South Carolina. The greenhouse produces approximately 25,000 pounds of tomatoes each year, which are sold split among wholesalers, farmers markets, through roadside stands and to the public. Greenhouse owner Mark Robinson has computer systems for Greenhouse Grow, constantly monitoring conditions in his 28" x 144" greenhouse since 1999 with a battery-operated weather station U30-NRC .
"One of my main concerns is making sure the tomato plants get enough sun," he explains. “Tomato production can be greatly reduced by light intensity drops. While we generally have good sunlight in this field, every percentage of PAR you lose in a plastic-covered greenhouse is lost in factory production.”
According to Robinson, it's also important to be able to continuously record air temperature, which in turn keeps the greenhouse's environmental computer working properly, and soil temperature, in order to keep an eye on the root zone temperature of the plants.
Robinson chose to furnish the greenhouse HOBO® Weather Station U30-NRC from Onset. U30-NRC is based on "smart sensor" technology temperature S-TMB-M002, S-TMB-M006, S-TMB-M017, soil moisture S-SMC-M005, S-SMD-M005, rainfall S-RGA-M002, S-RGB-M002, S-RGC-M002, S-RGD-M002, wind speed S-WSB-M003, wind direction S-WDA-M003, S-WSET-B, S-WCA-M003, S-WCF-M003, Atmospheric pressure S-BPB-CM50, S-BPA-CM10, air temperature and relative humidity S-THB-M002, S-THB-M008, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) S-LIA-M003, total solar radiation S-LIB-M003 , Leaf Wetness S-LWA-M003, etc., which means Robinson is able to simply plug individual sensors for PAR, air temperature and soil temperature into the U30-NRC, instantly recognizing each without complicated wiring, programming, or calibration. The entire system, including the sensors, can run for a full year on just 4 AA batteries, so there is no need for solar panels or large battery packs.
On Mount Tega, the weather station is mounted on a pole located in the wall of the greenhouse. On top of the U30-NRC is the photosynthetic light sensor, which is affixed to an "arm" that the Robinson construct can swing in and out of the greenhouse. Robinson explained that once a month, he pivots the PAR sensor to collect actual sunlight data and compare it outside, with the data from the light coming from inside. "That tells me how much PAR is lost through the cover." Robinson added that by measuring the "transparency" of the cover, the cover weather station may indicate dirt that needs to be scrubbed, or possibly discarded and replaced. "The industry recommends getting new covers every three years, but if there is a significant reduction in PAR anytime before then, it's important to know."
The weather station U30-NRC 's temperature sensor, mounted on the sensor, continuously monitors the greenhouse air temperature to give Robinson a clear picture of overall growing conditions. The collected data will be offloaded to the computer once a month, during which time Robinson can analyze the data using the weather station's data graphing and analysis software, and understand any visible trends in climate change. This information can be used to troubleshoot the equipment's environmental control system.
To measure soil temperature, a third sensor was placed directly into the Bato bucket where the two tomato plants were grown in soil mixed with perlite. According to Robinson, the goal is to keep the temperature of the plant's root zone at a better level. "Studies show that if you can keep the temperature you like, the gains are better. If I see the temperature getting too cold, then I know I'm irrigating with water to heat up."
Since implementing the HOBO weather station, Robinson has been able to maintain tight control over his greenhouse environment and feels it has helped him change his ways.
"I think of weather stations as centralized, multi-port data acquisition devices," Robinson said. "Growers are very busy people, and you can plug things in, which is a huge advantage. For me, the biggest advantage of having a weather station is that it can answer the question, 'What can I do to make the environment more suitable Those plants that inhabit it?'”