Protected Cultivation Systems

Introduction 1.1. Vegetables and floriculture cropping systems: protected and open field crops 1.2. Importance and diffusion of protected crops in Italy 1.3. Classification of protected crops 2. Structure and types of greenhouses 2.1. Roofing materials 2.2. Thermal balance in greenhouses and design of a heating system 2.3. Spectrum of solar radiation 3. Temperature management 3.1. Greenhouse heating and cooling 3.2. Environmental control 4. Irrigation management 4.1. Estimation of crop needs 4.2. Greenhouse irrigation method 4.3. The quality of irrigation water 5. Hydroponic crops 5.1. Growing on substrates 5.2. Physical and chemical characteristics of substrates used in greenhouses 5.3. Open cycle and closed cycle 5.4. Management of the nutrient solution 5.5. Methods of sterilization of the recirculating solution. 6. Use of plant growth regulators 6.1. Rooting cuttings 6.2. Flowering 6.3. Fruit set 7. Introduction to horticulture 7.1. Horticultural systems 8. Improving the quality of greenhouse products 8.1. Control of nitrates in edible vegetables 8.2. Practice of herbaceous grafting 8.3. Greenhouse pollination 9. Botanical characteristics and agronomic technical requirements of the main species. 10. Flower systems for ornamental greenery 10.1. Response of high and low irradiance crops and adaptation strategies. 10.2. Water stress and effect on the quality and yield of crops and the quality of ornamental plants. 10.3. Effect of salinity on the quality of crops and on ornamental plants.