ABSTRACT
The research presents a greenhouse with hydroponic system developed and tested with Roma VF tomato variety. The microclimatic condition which determined the activities of the plant inside and outside the greenhouse system were at average operating temperatures of 29.53oC and 26.53oC, relative humidity of 71.76% and 75.65%, average solar radiation of 314.59w/m2and 426.88w/m2, with wind speed values of 0.08m/s and 1.69m/s for inside and outside the greenhouse system respectively. The disparity which existed between the greenhouse and environmental condition reflected on plant performance. Hargreaves second temperature method was used in evaluating the evapotranspiration between the greenhouse and the environment. The result showed a lower evapotranspiration rate inside the greenhouse which favored plant activities. Comparative analysis of selected plant parameters under the greenhouse and ambient condition showed an average length of leaves inside the greenhouse as 72.5mm against 67.6mm ambient value, with a difference of 4.9mm in length. Similarly, the average widths of leave and tomato yield were 22.6mm and 3.5kg inside the greenhouse, with 20.1mm and 2.9kg outside the greenhouse. The research concludes that the condition inside the greenhouse is better for the tomato production. Statistical analysis using factorial design at 5% probability level was carried out to assess the effect of the various factors on plant parameters at 25, 50 and 75 days planting. The analysis presents drip irrigation with a higher significant effect in comparison to sprinkler system when assessed with all the plant parameters such as length of leaves, width of leaves, number of leaves, plant height, stem diameter and yield. Two quantities (6grams) of fertilizer also showed higher significant effect than 1 quantity (2grams) of fertilizer. The cocopeat+perlite (3:1) soilless media showed the highest effect followed by cocopeat and perlite with the least effect when analyzed with all plant parameters. The improved physical properties of the cocopeat+perlite (3:1) reflected on the plant performance when compared to cocopeat and perlite soilless media only. Models for predicting each plant parameters was developed with all R2 values higher than 0.87 with standard deviation as low as 0.15. The numerical optimization goals using design expert software were to keep all factors in range and maximize all plant parameters. The software identified a combination of drip, 2quantity (6gram) of fertilizer and cocopeat+perlite (3:1) as optimal combination with respective values of each plant parameters presented.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Title
Page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Table
of Content vi
List
of Tables ix
List
of Figures xi
List
of Plates xiii
Abstract xiv
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study 1
1.2 Statement
of the Problem 3
1.3 Objective
of the Study 4
1.3.1 General objective 4
1.3.2 Specific objectives 5
1.4 Justification
of the Study 6
1.5 Scope and Limitation 6
CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Hydroponic
System 7
2.2 Soilless
Media 9
2.3 Greenhouse
Vegetable Production 13
2.3.1 Advantages
of greenhouse 14
2.3.2 Disadvantages 14
2.4 Irrigation
Systems 15
2.5 Irrigation
Scheduling 17
2.6 Innovative
Techniques in Soilless Planting 22
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY
3.1 Preconstruction Consideration 31
3.2 Design and Fabrication of Hydroponic
System 31
3.2.1 Construction of a home type greenhouse 31
3.2.2 The framing system 31
3.2.3 Glazing materials 32
3.2.4
Foundations and floors 32
3.2.5 Roof
system 33
3.2.6 Air
circulation 33
3.2.7 Platform 33
3.3 Soilless
Media 33
3.3.1 Media
preparation 33
3.3.2 Bulk
density 34
3.3.3 Particle
density 34
3.3.4 Total
porosity 35
3.3.5 Water
holding capacity 35
3.3.6 The pH
of the media 36
3.3.7 Electrical conductivity 36
3.4 Hydroponic
System Setup 36
3.5 Irrigation
Design 38
3.5.1 The
sprinkler system 39
3.5.1.1 Component
parts 39
3.5.1.2 Sprinkler
distribution pattern 40
3.5.1.3 Sprinkler
spacing 41
3.5.1.4 Other
sprinkler system Design parameters 41
3.5.1.4.1 Topographic
features 41
3.5.1.4.2 Water supply 41
3.5.1.4.3 Climatic
conditions: 42
3.5.1.4.4 Application
rate 42
3.5.1.4.5 Depth of
irrigation 42
3.5.1.4.6 Irrigation
interval 42
3.5.2 The
drip system 42
3.5.2.1 Component
parts of the drip system and dimensions 43
3.5.2.2 Emission
uniformity of the drip irrigation unit 43
3.5.2.3 Other
drip system design considerations 45
3.5.3 Irrigation
Scheduling 45
3.5.4 Layout
of the Combined Sprinkler and Drip Irrigation Systems 48
3.6
Experimental Design 51
3.7 Crop
Parameters 53
3.7.1 Plant height 53
3.7.2 Stem diameter 54
3.7.3 Number of Leaves 54
3.7.4 Leaf Length 55
3.7.5 Leaf Width 56
3.7.6 Yield of tomato 57
3.8 Numerical
Optimization 58
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Description of the Developed Greenhouse with Hydroponic System 60
4.2 Evaluation
of the Microclimatic Conditions
inside and Outside the
Green House 64
4.3
Comparative Evaluation of
Evapotranspiration under Green House and Environmental Condition 66
4.4 Analysis
of Plant Performance under Greenhouse and Ambient Condition 68
4.5 Effect of Soilless Media, Irrigation
System and Quantity of Fertilizer
on
Plant Parameters 69
4.5.1. Analysis
based on number of leaves 69
4.5.2 Assessment
based on length of leaves 73
4.5.3 Analysis
based on width of leaves 78
4.5.5 Analysis
based on height of plant 82
4.5.6 Analysis
based on stem diameter 86
4.5.7 Analysis
based on tomato yield 90
4.6 Numerical
Optimization 93
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusion 96
5.2 Recommendations 97
5.3 Contribution
to Knowledge
97
REFERENCES 98
APPENDICES 106
LIST OF TABLES
2.1 Physical Properties of
Composted Bark Mixtures (Verdonck &
Demeyer 2004) 9
2.2 Yield of Basil in Soilless 12
2.2.1 Commonly used soilless mixtures for
greenhouse crops 12
2.3: The Procedures for Estimating Irrigation
Schedule for Major Crops for Different
Soils and Climate 19
2.4: Reference Crop Evapotranspiration (mm/day) 20
2.5: Estimated Irrigation Schedules for Major
Crops based on the Crop
Water
need in the Peak Period 21
3.1:
Approximate Root Depth of the Major
Field Crops 47
3.2:
Approximate net Irrigation Depths
(mm) 47
3.3:
Monthly Irrigation Water need by
Tomato 48
4.1 Details of the Developed Greenhouse 63
4.2 Determined properties of the soilless
media 63
4.3: Result
of various Factors on number of Leaves 71
4.4: Analysis
of Variance Table for Number of Leaves at 25 Days
after Planting 71
4.5: Analysis
of Variance Table for Number of Leaves at 50 Days
after Planting 72
4.6: Analysis
of Variance Table for Number of Leaves at 75 Days
after Planting 72
4.7:
Result of various Factors on Length
of Leaf 74
4.8: Analysis
of Variance Table for Length of Leaves at 25 Days
after Planting 75
4.9: Analysis
of Variance Table for Length of Leaves at 50 Days
after Planting 75
4.10: Analysis
of Variance Table for Length of Leaves at 75 Days
after Planting 76
4.11: Result of various factors on Width of Leaf 79
4.12: Analysis
of Variance Table for Width of Leaves at 25 Days
after Planting 80
4.13: Analysis
of Variance Table for Width of Leaves at 50 Days
after Planting 80
4.14: Analysis
of Variance Table for Width of Leaves at 75 Days
after Planting 80
4.15: Result of various factors on Plant Height 83
4.16: Analysis
of Variance Table for Plant Height at 25 Days
after Planting 84
4.17: Analysis
of Variance Table for Plant Height at 50 Days
after Planting 84
4.18: Analysis
of Variance Table for Plant Height at 75 Days
after Planting 84
4.19: Result of various factors on Stem Diameter 87
4.20: Analysis
of Variance Table for Stem Diameter at 25 Days after Planting 88
4.21: Analysis of Variance Table for Stem Diameter
at 50 Days after Planting 88
4.22: Analysis of Variance Table for Stem Diameter
at 75 Days after Planting 88
4.23: Result
of various factors on Tomato yield at 75 Days Planting 91
4.24: Analysis of Variance Table for Tomato yield
at 75 Days after Planting 92
4.25: Models
for various Parameters 94
LIST OF FIGURES
3.1: Flowchart
of Irrigation Scheduling 46
3.2: Pictorial
view of the Combined Irrigation Units 50
3.3: Combined
Assemblage of the two Irrigation Systems inside
the Greenhouse 50
3.4: The
line Diagram of the Combined Irrigation Units 51
3.5: Flowchart
showing the Steps followed in Numerical optimization
(Omodara et al., 2020) 59
4.1:
The Developed Greenhouse 62
4.2: Mean Temperature and Relative Humidity Inside and Outside the Greenhouse 65
4.3: Solar Radiation and Wind Speed Inside and
Outside the Greenhouse 65
4.4: Evapotranspiration
inside the Greenhouse and Outside 67
4.5: Comparison
of Plant Parameters Inside and Outside the Greenhouse 69
4.6: 3D
Diagram showing the Effect of Treatments on Number of Leaves 73
4.7: 3D
Surface Plot on Length of Leaf 77
4.8: 3D
Surface Plot showing the Effect of Factors at Respective Levels 81
4.9: 3D
Plot Showing Effect of Treatment Levels on Plant Height 85
4.10: 3D
Plot Showing Effect of Treatment Levels on Stem Diameter 89
4.11: 3D
plot showing the Effect of Treatment on Tomato Yield 92
4.12: Normal
Effect Plot with Predicted against Actual values 94
4.13: Numerical
Optimization Solution 95
4.14: Optimization
Desirability Plot 95
LIST OF PLATES
3.1: Roof
of Greenhouse being glazed with Polyethylene Film 32
3.2: Picture
of the Hydroponic System after Transplant using Sprinkler
Irrigation System 37
3.3: Side view of the Greenhouse showing the
Water Supply Container 38
3.4: Borehole that Supply Water to the Water
Supply Container 39
3.5:
Experiment showing the discharge of
the Drip 43
3.5:
Display of the Drip and Sprinkler
Irrigation System 49
3.6: Plant
Height after 50 Days of Transplanting 53
3.7: Plant
Stem Diameter after 25 Days of Transplanting 54
3.8:
Plant Leaves after 50 Days of
Transplanting 55
3.9: Plant
Leaf Length after 75 Days of Transplanting 56
3.10: Plant Leaf Width after 75 Days of Transplanting 57
3.11: Plants with
Fruits 58
LIST OF APPENDIX
A: Plant
in Sprinkler Irrigation System after Transplant 106
B: Plant in Drip Irrigation System after
Transplant 106
C:
Mixture of the Soilless Mediums (cocopeat and perlite) 107
D: Plant
Sitting in the Greenhouse after Transplanting 107
E: Determination of Uniformity Coefficient (frequency = 1/
observation point) 108
F:
Determination of Application Rate
from the flow Rate 109
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE
STUDY
The cultivation of plants without using
soil as a rooting medium is known as soilless farming. Depending on the
requirement and type of crop, there are several soilless systems, including
hydroponic, aeroponic, vertical farming, and others (Dipesh et al., 2022). The lack of the typical
arable soil required to produce plants, can be remedied through soilless
agriculture. Fertile soil is fast disappearing due to climate change and
intensive farming practices as the world's population rises. The population of
the world was 7.6 billion in 2011, and the UN projects that number to increase
to 8.6 billion in 2030 and 9.8 billion in 2050. (UN, 2019). The world's total
agricultural land increased by 3% between 1958 and 2005, mostly in tropical
nations. However, there was a 0.19 percent decline in agricultural land between
2005 and 2011. (Foley et al., 2011).
There are now much fewer acres per person available for soil-based farming,
which has led to a number of agricultural and environmental issues (Pradhan and
Deo, 2019). The environment suffers when there isn't enough food to feed
everyone on the planet (FAO and ITPS, 2015). According to study from October
2018, there are 820 million hungry people in the world, to address the problem
of food scarcity and malnutrition, urban agriculture must undergo a revolution
(Dubbeling et al., 2010). But, in
cities soil is hard to come by and, even when it is, it may include impurities
that make it unfit for plant growth. Finding both is extremely difficult in
cities because both labour and space are expensive (Sardare et al., 2019). These significant
quantitative and qualitative food concerns can be solved by soilless farming in
urban environments. The world's agricultural areas are not only constrained but
also troubled by pollution, salinization, and drought, all of which reduce crop
production (Despommier, 2013). In these crucial situations, innovative
technologies and procedures must be developed to withstand the current
situation. Soilless agricultural production (Tzortzakis et al., 2020) is a highly promising technique for increasing the
cultivation of numerous cash crops and for growing plants without the need of
soil as a rooting medium. Soilless agriculture could be more cost-effective
than soil-based farming, resulting in larger yields and faster harvests from
fewer areas of land (Grafiadellis et al.,
2000; Raviv et al., 2007; Rezaei and
Ismaili, 2014). Hydroponics is a technology for growing plants in nutrient
solutions (water and fertilizers), with or without the use of an artificial
medium (e.g. sand, gravel, vermiculite, rockwool, peat moss, sawdust) to
provide mechanical support. Liquid hydroponic systems have no other supporting
medium for the plant roots; aggregate systems have a solid medium of support
which is referred to as soilless medium. Hydroponic systems are further
categorized as open in which once the nutrient solution is delivered to the
plant roots, it is not reused again or closed where surplus solution is
recovered, replenished, and recycled (BGHIC, 2007).
Jensen (1999) observed that greenhouse in
the tropics is often only a rain shelter with a cover of polyethylene over a
crop to prevent rainfall from entering the growing area, i.e. the hydroponic
beds. The shelter can also lessen the problem of foliage diseases. In such
cases, the sides of the structures are left open for natural ventilation. To
prevent insects from entering, especially those which are vectors for virus
diseases, the sides are covered with screens. Wood framing absorbs heat during
the day and expels it at night. Wood is aesthetically pleasing and available in
a variety of type and grain. Wood structures easily support heavy glass and
promote a more traditional design. Wood framing are regularly treated to
prevent wood rot. Most home greenhouses require a poured concrete foundation
similar to those in residential houses. Quonset greenhouses with pipe frames
and a plastic cover use posts driven into the ground. Permanent flooring is not
recommended because it may stay wet and slippery from soil mix media (Ross,
2006).
Tomato (lycopersicon esculentum) is
a very popular crop for production in greenhouses. Tomatoes are relatively easy
to grow compared to cucumbers and lettuce, and yields can be very high (Smith,
2007). Demand for tomatoes is usually high due to the vine-ripe nature and high
level of eating quality. Tomatoes are now eaten freely throughout the world and
their consumption is believed to benefit the heart among other things (Smith,
2007). Lycopene, one of nature‘s most powerful antioxidants, is present in
tomatoes. When tomatoes are cooked, lycopene has been found beneficial in
preventing prostate cancer (Smith, 2007). There are two types of soilless
cultivation systems: a) liquid medium systems that do not use any other media
to support plant roots, and b) solid medium systems that use a substrate to
support the plants. The hydroponic system is made up of two types of systems:
liquid medium and inert substrate. Furthermore, soil-free substrate cultures
are divided into two types: open systems (in which the nutrient solution that
drains from the roots is not reused) and closed systems (in which the surplus
nutrient solution is collected, rectified, and reintroduced) (Bhandari et al., 2016). The use of nutrients and
the lack of soil (that may be replaced by the substrate in certain of its activities)
are the major features that distinguish soil-less agriculture from conventional
techniques (Di Lorenzo et al., 2013).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In
Nigeria, urbanization poses a problem in which arable lands are used for
industrial purposes and housing needs. According to Sunday & Victor (2021)
the increasing rate of available arable lands in Nigeria from 1961 to 2018 was
0.62 and 0.72%, while population and urbanization growth rates were 2.57 and
4.75% with increasing potential. The increase in population growth rate and
urbanization shows that there is need for development of alternative crop
growing system, hence the need for soilless media. However, the various
soilless media possesses diverse physiochemical properties which are unique and
specific to some plant performance. These properties contribute favorably or
adversely to specific plants performance. Therefore, assessing the potentials
of each soilless media or a combination of media at various proportions is
necessary to identify which soilless media works best with which crop. For
example perlite may work best with pineapple and not with okra or cucumber due
to substrate composition and properties. In news released by horticultural
extension in Iowa State, tomato plant operates favorably between 70-85 degree
Fahrenheit. This means that there are certain climatic conditions which will
enhance tomato production and vice versa. Another major challenge is the
hydroponic system which comprises of the irrigation water and quantity of
fertilizer. Farmers experience limited in supply of water in some specific
geographical location. This means there is need for efficient use of irrigation
water and the adoption of suitable irrigation method, while increasing quantity
of fertilizer means increasing the cost of production.
All
of these are associated problems which relates to effective tomato production
in Nigeria. Therefore, subjecting tomatoes in a controlled environment called
greenhouse, to assess its performance on each soilless media under different
irrigation systems, and varying quantity of fertilizer in order to select
optimum conditions suitable for tomato production becomes imperative.
1.3
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
.
1.3.2 Specific objectives
In order to achieve the main objective of this
study, the specific objectives include:
1.
Design
and development of the greenhouse with hydroponic system.
2.
Evaluation of the Microclimatic conditions
inside and outside the greenhouse.
3. Comparative
evaluation of evapotranspiration under the green house and environmental
condition.
4. Analysis
of plant performance under greenhouse and ambient condition.
5.
Analysis
of the effect of soilless media, irrigation
system and quantity of fertilizer on plant parameters.
6.
Numerical optimization of
the categorical factors in order to determine the optimal conditions of the
plant parameters.
1.4
JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
The
adverse environmental conditions sometimes have impact on the crop performance.
Exposing the plant to soilless media without assessing the soilless media could
impact negatively on plant growth with gross loss in the overall farm
production. However, developing a greenhouse system which provides avenue to
regulate environmental conditions together with suitable soilless media which
allows tomato thrives well will assist farmers in rural areas.
1.5 SCOPE AND
LIMITATION
The
research covers the assessment of selected tomato performance parameters in a
greenhouse with hydroponic system. The experiment is also within and limited to
the impact of drip and sprinkler irrigation system; 2grams and 6grams of
fertilizer, with cocopeat, perlite and cocopeat + perlite (3;1) soilless media,
with respect to efficient tomato production.
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