Energy efficiency of tomato production in heated and non-heated greenhouse

Abstract

Greenhouse production is still among the most energy-consuming branches of agriculture. Producers are faced with high cost of the operations involved in greenhouse production processes (climate control, fertilizing, irrigation, etc). This is the reason why an optimal combination of energy inputs that will make this production more energy efficient needs to be found. This paper gives the methodology of estimating energy consumption based on all energy inputs in greenhouse production. Energy analysis is based on estimating energy inputs (direct and indirect), using their amount and equivalents, in referent plant production. According to energy output (yield per m 2) parameters for estimating greenhouse energy efficiency were calculated (energy input per kg of product, energy out/in ratio and energy productivity). Energy consumption was calculated for tomato production in heated and non heated greenhouse and the aim was do determine energy efficiency and to show its dependence on production technology.