The winter light greenhouse is a new type of greenhouse. Compared with the Venlo greenhouse, the crop receives 10% more light in winter. Therefore, less energy is required to achieve good production. The Greenhouse Horticulture Business Unit of Wageningen University and Research Department is investigating whether it is possible to use less carbon dioxide in the greenhouse to achieve good production.

A few years ago, the Winterlight greenhouse was built at the WUR research site in Bleiswijk. The greenhouse (500 square meters) has diffused glass, which becomes clear by condensation. Therefore, compared with the traditional greenhouse type, the irradiance in winter is higher. In summer-anyway, when the sun shines a lot-the radiation will decrease. According to previous tests on tomatoes and cucumbers, the use of Winterlight greenhouses can save up to tens of percent of energy.

In April 2021, a study began to investigate the possibility of limiting the dose of carbon dioxide in cucumber planting in winter light greenhouses. The goal of the trial is to apply one-third of the usual amount of carbon dioxide, or up to 10 kg of carbon dioxide, during the six-month growing season. By reducing carbon dioxide emissions, growers can prepare for a reduction in the supply of fossil fuels.

During the study period, a maximum of 60 grams of carbon dioxide per square meter per day. The first result shows that the crop responds well to this. Importantly, the summer of 2021 starts to be quite cool, so less ventilation is required (and therefore less carbon dioxide escapes from the greenhouse).

The research is being conducted on three cucumber varieties. These were chosen because of their resistance to mildew. WUR is also investigating whether possible powdery mildew outbreaks can be prevented and controlled through prevention policies and green plant protection products.

For more information: Wageningen University and Research Department www.wur.nl 

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