EnvironmentallyControlledAgriculture&Tequila Flashcards
Agriculture
- Human manipulation of plant populations and the environment as to increase yield (calories/nutrients) per unit of time and space
Closed environment-controlled greenhouse systems
- Environmental conditions maintained to optimize fruit output
RedSunFarms greenhouse in Irapuato, Mexico
- Closed environment-controlled greenhouse
- Totally enclosed, cleaning of shoes and hands when entering
- Produces mostly peppers and tomatoes for export
- 30 hectares (1 ha = 100x100m, 10,000 sq.m, 42 football fields)
- Shape of GH 11m high with peaked roof to increase chimney effect in airflow (old design GH 6+m high with rounder roof)
- Crop height 5-5.5m, leave 5m buffer zone b/c too hot when plant close to roof
The role of photosynthesis increases with what?
- When light increases, but reaches max level
How is light intensity controlled in a GH?
- With plastic and different paints
- Can use these to increase shade, reflect infra-red light
What happens to plants when there is too much light?
- Photosynthesis stops with too much light when stomatas close
How is a higher than atmospheric CO2 level maintained in a GH? How much CO2 per hectare per day is required to reach max. absorption?
- Obtained by burning natural gas to increase PS
- 50kg per hectare per day to reach max.
What happens when there isn’t enough CO2?
- Plants will stop photosynthesis
- Less growth results
How is the rate of air change controlled in a GH?
- Ventilation
Where does the heat come from? How does it get distributed at night?
- Geothermal water
- Solar heated during the day
- and/or from burning of natural gas (to create CO2)
- heated water circulates at night in black hoses (used for irrigation next day)
What happens if plants have higher respiration?
- Plants respire at night and if there is too much, from higher temps, it uses carbohydrates made during daytime photosynthesis
- Results in less growth
How is the heat controlled at night?
- Computerized climate control calculates heat need for the night from weather forecast and adjusts heat input
What temperature do peppers and tomatoes prefer?
65-90 degrees F
How many people, and in what roles, are needed to operate a 30ha system?
- 1 Owner/grower
- 2 Managers
- 8 farm workers and 5 packagers, per hectare
- Plus administrators, personel for phytosanitary, physical control and maintenance
Comparative quantity of vegetable production of peppers
- High tech GH 45 kg/m2
- Conventional GH 20-25 kg/m2
- Field 5 kg/m2
What is the growth period and when does harvest start?
- 42 weeks growth period
- Harvest starts after 8 weeks
What is the production cost for tomato?
- $100/m2
How many kg/m2 tomatoes can be produced in Canada vs. Mexico?
- 65kgm/2 in Canada
- 85 kg/m2 in Mexico
Where do first grade vs. second grade vegetables go when produced in Mexico?
- First to international
- Second grade goes to national distribution (within Mexico)
How many more vegetables are produced in fields vs. GH
- 100x more vegetables produced in fields
- 1ha GH to 20ha fields
What is a major drawback to field growing?
- Energy cost could be higher in field production
- Major problem is insect pests and need for pesticides
- Insect pests are always changing
- 90% eliminated in GH
Which is greater, the fuel used in trucking product to Canada, or the greenhouse heating to grow in Canada?
- Fuel use in trucking product to Canada is less than for heating a GH in Canada
Conventional vs. Organic Systems?
- Increasing market demand for organic due to health and environmental concerns
- Organic cannot use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides
How do organic systems find natural sources of fertilizers?
- Feed soil compost and inoculate with microflora and earthworms
- Nitrogen and potassium come from fish extract, blood meal, feather meal, cow hoof powder
How do organic systems find natural sources of pesticides?
- Potassium sulfite from rocks
- Citric acid from organic sources
How do the production costs of organic vs. conventional systems compare? Give an example
- Production costs similar but organic system more complex to manage and optimize
- Hydroponic lettuce, 450 heads/m2 vs. 50 heads/m2 in field
Which country has the most high tech GH operations? Which other country has the potential to match this?
- Holland
- Uses many robotic operations
- BC has similar climate so could use similar systems
Which country produces relatively few vegetables for its size?
- USA
What is tequila made from?
- Liquor distilled from blue agave plant, Agave tequilana, Asparagaceae
- A monocot
- Grows at altitude above 1500m
What else is agave used to make?
- Fiber
Where in Mexico is tequila produced
- By law, only in five states of Mexico, including Guanajuato
Where and when was tequila first produced?
- 16th century in town called Tequila
How is tequila made?
- Heart of agave plant is harvested and heated to convert starch to sugars
- Then crushed for sugary liquid for fermentation
- Fermented wort then distilled twice to become tequila
How does tequila relate to blood health?
- Starch in agave is inulin, heat it to break down to fructose
- It can be sold as low glucose sugar health product, suitable for diabetics
