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Four dehumidification technologies were tested at three different facilities over a three year period: commercial mechanical refrigeration dehumidifier (MRD), chemical liquid desiccant dehumidifier (LDD), air-to-air heat recovery ventilation system (HRV), and finally a prototype called energy recovery ventilation (ERV), which is a combination of liquid desiccant approach (wet mode) and an air-to-air heat exchanger (dry mode). Overall, energy savings could be achieved, but the dehumidification systems controls needed. to be strategically integrated in the greenhouse computer control system logic in a manner that resulted in optimal performance in order for the savings to be significant. A method for in-house qir quality monitoring was developed using 3M Petrifilms, and showed a linear correlation with standard air quality testing methods.
The project assessed the potential environmental impacts of land application of Greenhouse nutrient feedwater (GNF) under the Ontario Nutrient Management Act as a best management practice (BMP) through field infiltration experiments established at four greenhouse operations representing a cross section of the vegetable greenhouse sector near Leamington, Ontario. The results demonstrated that the majority of the nutrients and other dissolved constituents in GNF applied at the highest permissible rates and practical loadings over a variety of soil types and agricultural land use practices remained within the vadose zone and at low concentrations over the course of the monitoring period. No evidence of significant environmental impact from the land application of GNF was observed. Overall, the results of the study suggest that land application of GNF in accordance with Ontario’s regulations is a feasible and environmentally reasonable treatment option for managing GNF.
En lutte biologique en serre, l’utilisation des sachets à libération lente d’acariens prédateurs que l’on accroche sur les végétaux est de plus en plus répandue en production horticole ornementale. Un des objectifs de ce projet était d’évaluer le taux de libération de 2 types d’acariens prédateurs provenant de sachets à libération lente. Un deuxième objectif consistait à évaluer l’efficacité de deux méthodes de décompte des prédateurs sortant des sachets. Le taux de libération des acariens prédateurs fournira aux producteurs une façon d’évaluer la qualité du contenu du sachet tandis que la méthode de décompte la plus efficace leur permettra de savoir si les sachets performent comme prévu.
L’humidité relative élevée dans les serres peut causer une augmentation de la consommation énergétique (déshumidification par ventilation naturelle ou forcée) ainsi que des problèmes fongiques comme le botrytis (tomate, basilic, ornemental) et le mildiou (basilic, impatiens), ce qui cause une utilisation accrue des fongicides et des pertes de production chez les producteurs. Une évaluation du potentiel d’utilisation de la technologie VLHC (Ventilate Latent Heat Converter) de la compagnie AGAM pour déshumidifier les serres a donc été réalisée. Aussi pour informer le secteur des enjeux reliés à la gestion de l’humidité et des défis rencontrés lors de l’expérimentation, la création d’un outil de réflexion sur ce thème a été réalisé. Le but de celui-ci est de présenter les questionnements et les actions pour régler les problèmes engendrés par une gestion déficiente de l’humidité.
A comprehensive survey of plant pathogen populations (measured by DNA Multiscans) in irrigation water leachate and/or runoff from the range of Ontario flower and vegetable greenhouses and container nurseries was conducted to help assess the level of risk involved in operations switching to recirculating systems. The ability of several bioremediation technologies to remove plant pathogens from recycled irrigation water (e.g. constructed wetlands, woodchip biofilters) was evaluated as well as the effectiveness of current plant pathogen disinfection systems.
The project objectives were to demonstrate the principles of collection, treatment, and reuse of irrigation runoff water in the greenhouse horticulture industry and develop and draft a. Existing treatment systems were monitored at three sites and new systems were installed and monitored at the seven sites. Irrigation water runoff and water at interim stages of each treatment system were monitored to determine their effectiveness. A Greenhouse and Container Nursery Water and Nutrient Management BMP document was drafted which formed the basis of the three individual OMAFRA BMP and self-assessment guides for greenhouse vegetable, container nursery, and greenhouse floriculture production.
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