Field practice report on the light transmission in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) greenhouse at Leisure Farms Tagaytay Inc. (LFTI), Amadeo, Cavite, Philippines

Date

6-2016

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Major Course

Major in Structures and Environment

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Vicente G. Ballaran, Jr.

Abstract

Hydropoponically-grown crops in greenhouses continuously compete with the traditionally-grown crops in terms of quality, nutritional value, and marketability. One of the most common hydroponicallygrown crops is lettuce. Compared to field-grown lettuce production, greenhouse production is very few but of high quality and of preference of selective consumers. Leisure Farms Tagaytay, Inc. practices lettuce production under the Nutrient Film Technique, one of the different types of hydroponic system. This field practice report focused on the environmental control of the lettuce greenhouse for the optimum growth of the crop. The field practice specifically concentrated on the observation of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), wasthe parameter used to quantify the amount of light transmitted inside the lettuce greenhouse. Daily PAR data was gathered inside and outside the greenhouse and the data gathering lasted for three weeks. Analysis of data involved was the comparison of the total PAR per day inside the greenhouse, with the daily PAR requirement of lettuce. The inside and outside PAR was also compared. Artificial lightings used in the greenhouse was 400-Watt High Pressure Sodium Lamps and the amount of PAR produced by the lamps were determined to be able to know how much PAR the lights could give off to supplement the light deficiency of the lettuce. Shading nets were also used to minimize the transmission of the solar radiation during sunny days. Observation on the farm operations was done and recommendations were made for the improvement of the production of the lettuce. The field practice provided the trainee a hands-on experience concerning to her field of study. She has gained more knowledge about environmental control in the lettuce greenhouse to improve the production of the crop. The study focused on the design and fabrication of a microcomputer-based sensor which would measure the changes in the intensity of light through an image processing algorithm. The materials that were used in fabricating the sensor were Raspberry Pi 2 Model B for data processing, Raspberry Pi camera for the sensing element, micro SD card for data storage, Wi-Fi adapter for wireless program execution and data transmission and Power bank for the rechargeable power supply unit. Three Neutral Density (ND) filters was used to stimulate the change in intensity measured by the sensor. Also, it can be concluded that the measured values are precise for the percent change in intensity as shown in the trials not having a significant difference in the means. This result suggests that the use of pesticide samples for measuring the changes in intensity can also be investigated to extend the scope of applications of the sensor for pesticide residue detection.

Language

English

Location

UPLB College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Call Number

LG 993 2016 A2 /R63

Document Type

Thesis

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