A glasshouse light blocking film impacts Capsicum mesophyll ionic homeostasis and stomatal dynamics through altering light conditionsChenchen Zhao, Sachin Chavan, Rebecca K. Vandegeer, Abu Bakar Siddique, Chelsea Maier, Weiguang Liang, Meixue Zhou, Christopher I. Cazzonelli, Oula Ghannoum, Zhong-Hua Chen & David T. TissueArticleA glasshouse light blocking film impacts Capsicum mesophyll ionic homeostasis and stomatal dynamics through altering light conditionsThe use of light-blocking film (LBF) is a promising strategy to reduce energy consumption in high-tech glasshouses. However, it also reduces specific light spectra which affect the physiological responses of plants. The LBF reduces 8–25% of canopy-level photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) while targeting a reduction in biologically irrelevant heat-generating light. Here, we investigated the mesophyll…
Energy and fertigation consumption and economic viability of a light blocking film in greenhouse lettuce productionJing He, Terry Lin, Weiguang Liang, Sachin Chavan, Subbu Sethuvenkatraman, Mark Goldsworthy, David Tissue, Zhong-Hua ChenArticleEnergy and fertigation consumption and economic viability of a light blocking film in greenhouse lettuce productionHigh-technology greenhouses offer a promising avenue for enhancing global food security, yet their high operational energy costs, associated with cooling, remain a significant barrier to extensive utilisation in crop production, particularly in warm regions. This study evaluates the impact of Light Blocking Film (LBF) and different cooling technologies on lettuce production in high-technology greenhouses in…
Light blocking film in a glasshouse impacts Capsicum annuum L. yield differentially across planting seasonChenchen Zhao, Sachin Chavan, Rebecca K Vandegeer, Meixue Zhou, Christopher I. Cazzonelli, Zhong-Hua Chen, and David T. TissueArticleLight blocking film in a glasshouse impacts Capsicum annuum L. yield differentially across planting seasonHigh energy costs are a barrier to producing high-quality produce at protected cropping facilities. A potential solution to mitigate high energy costs is film technology, which blocks heat-producing radiation; however, the alteration of the light environment by these films may impact crop yield and quality. Previous studies have assessed the impact of ULR 80 [i.e.,…
An energy-saving glasshouse film reduces seasonal, and cultivar dependent Capsicum yield due to light limited photosynthesisSachin G. Chavan, Xin He, Chelsea Maier, Yagiz Alagoz, Sidra Anwar, Zhong-Hua Chen, Oula Ghannoum, Christopher I. Cazzonelli, David T. TissueArticleAn energy-saving glasshouse film reduces seasonal, and cultivar dependent Capsicum yield due to light limited photosynthesisGlasshouse films can be used to reduce energy costs by limiting non-productive heat-generating radiation, but the impact on yield of greenhouse horticultural crops remains unknown. The effects of energy-saving film ULR-80 (ultra-low-reflectivity film with 80 % light transmission referred to as Smart Glass; SG) designed to block long wavelength light that generates heat also reduced…
Smart Glass Film Reduced Ascorbic Acid in Red and Orange Capsicum Fruit Cultivars without Impacting Shelf LifeXin He, Sachin Chavan, Ziad Hamoui, Chelsea Maier, Oula Ghannoum, Zhong-Hua Chen, David T. Tissue, Christopher I CazzonelliArticleSmart Glass Film Reduced Ascorbic Acid in Red and Orange Capsicum Fruit Cultivars without Impacting Shelf LifeSmart Glass Film (SGF) is a glasshouse covering material designed to permit 80% transmission of photosynthetically active light and block heat-generating solar energy. SGF can reduce crop water and nutrient consumption and improve glasshouse energy use efficiency yet can reduce crop yield. The effect of SGF on the postharvest shelf life of fruits remains unknown.…
Smart glass impacts stomatal sensitivity of greenhouse Capsicum through altered lightChenchen Zhao, Sachin Chavan, Xin He, Meixue Zhou, Christopher I Cazzonelli, Zhong-Hua Chen, David T Tissue, Oula GhannoumArticleSmart glass impacts stomatal sensitivity of greenhouse Capsicum through altered lightThis papers compares the stomatal responses of Capsicum plants grown hydroponically under control glass (70% diffuse light) or the smart glass (SG) film ULR-80, which blocked >50% of short-wave radiation and ~9% of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR).
Light‑altering cover materials and sustainable greenhouse production of vegetables: a reviewXin He, Chelsea Maier, Sachin G. Chavan, Chen-Chen Zhao, Yagiz Alagoz, Christopher Cazzonelli, Oula Ghannoum, David T. Tissue & Zhong-Hua ChenPaperLight‑altering cover materials and sustainable greenhouse production of vegetables: a reviewThis paper reviews the studies on advanced greenhouse cover materials with variable light transmittance, the effects of which on leaf photosynthesis, physiology, and yield. It also provides insights into the potential key biological processes of crops responding to these light changes, specifically light receptors, signal transduction, nutrient biosynthesis pathways during fruit development and ripening.
Light‐limited photosynthesis under energy‐saving film decreases eggplant yieldSachin G. Chavan, Chelsea Maier, Yagiz Alagoz, Joao C. Filipe, Charles R. Warren, Han Lin, Baohua Jia, Michael E. Loik, Christopher I. Cazzonelli, Zhonghua H. Chen, Oula Ghannoum, David T. TissuePaperLight‐limited photosynthesis under energy‐saving film decreases eggplant yieldLight‐limited photosynthesis under energy‐saving film decreases eggplant yield
ReportProtected croppingProtected cropping is Australia’s fastest-growing food-producing sector, with huge growth potential; however, it requires scientific and technological solutions to become a key global player. Funding support and practical technological innovations – new methods of biological control; solutions for partial automation of tasks like irrigation and temperature control – could help growers using low-tech systems transition to more productive, profitable medium-tech ones. Medium-tech facilities require significant technological upgrades to compete with large-scale food production from poly-tunnel-deploying farms and high-quality produce from high-tech greenhouses. This part of the sector needs scientific and technological solutions generated by industry-university collaborations: new crop genotypes, integrated pest management, automated fertigation, climate control and robotic assistance in crop management and harvest. Meanwhile, high-tech glasshouses would benefit from incorporating technological advances in crop physiology, fertigation, recycling and lighting. Vertical farms also have a bright future, especially post-pandemic.
