Optimizing transpiration without compromising photosynthesis

As a grower, you are constantly looking for ways to optimize the growing conditions of your crops and maximize yields. The benefits of real-time understanding of photosynthesis, as we wrote about in this article, are endless. Especially when combined with an accurate understanding of the transpiration process. In our climate chambers, we measure both processes, transpiration and photosynthesis, very accurately, in real-time, and fully automated. In this article, read how our software collects transpiration data for the grower and what benefits this provides.

Many growers measure transpiration in their greenhouse by placing load cells under the cultivation system. The drawbacks of this measuring principle, often installed in only 1 or 2 paths, are on the one hand that the result may not be representative for the whole crop, and on the other hand that actually only weight is measured and not yet directly transpiration. The grower himself has to make the translation and convert the measured weights to transpiration.

How does measuring transpiration work?
To meet these two challenges, Certhon has developed a measurement methodology at the Certhon Innovation Centre that enables standardized, real-time, and automatic measurement of transpiration. As with the measurement of photosynthesis, this uses the property of climate chambers so that all airflows can be accurately measured and controlled. In addition, Certhon developed its own sensor for measuring condensation from the cooling coils in the cells. This data, together with other data from the room, such as temperature, relative humidity, light intensity, as well as room volume, and leak-tightness of the room, are logged on a 15-second basis in the Certhon Control System.

Reading the insights
Using this data, we wrote algorithms that can measure real-time transpiration of the entire crop present in the climate chamber in any condition in any climate chamber we build. For validation, we also installed the well-known measurement method, using load cells and drain measurements, in the Certhon Innovation Centre.

The results of both measurement methods are superimposed in the software. As with photosynthesis, the grower can obtain this information with just the push of a button via the Certhon Control System dashboard.

In practice
Real-time insight into transpiration, combined with photosynthesis, provides growers with the knowledge they need to set up their crops in the most energy-efficient way possible and improve production. Think primarily about the relationship between photosynthesis and transpiration, as well as optimizing watering and preventing diseases and pests.

As we also saw in the article on photosynthesis, cultivation trials in climate chambers are thus growing into an indispensable tool for the optimal use of resources in greenhouse cultivation. Curious about the possibilities for your situation? Contact Jaap Weerheim or John van der Sande, via: +31174225080.