An overview of the microclimate conditions inside healing chambers

¹ Technical University of Civil Engineering, 020396 Bucharest, Romania
² ICDIMPH–HORTING Institute, 042159 Bucharest ; Romania

^* Corresponding author: adrian.ghiaus@utcb.ro

Abstract

In the civil and industrial construction engineering, the comfort of occupants is ensured by achieving appropriate microclimate conditions. The human physical comfort (thermal, visual, acoustic) is achieved when the person from an enclosure is in a state of equilibrium and is able to perform tasks with maximum possible efficiency and without any kind of stress. Similarly, in the case of crops grown inside protected spaces, for plants, just as in the case of human being, specific microclimate conditions need to be ensured for their optimum development during the vegetation period. Plant development is a result of its own genetic features, but this is influenced by microclimate conditions inside of the greenhouses. Even more, in the case of healing and acclimatization rooms for grafted vegetables, the specific microclimate conditions must be strictly monitored. Technologically, it is recommended an optimum indoor temperature between 23°C and 25°C, with a maximum value that must not exceed 28°C, under conditions of relative humidity around 85% - 95%. Other two important aspects are the CO₂ concentration and the level of solar radiation. The value of the CO₂ concentration is an indicator of the healing process. For the grafting process, it is useful to know the time of the connection of the donor and receiver. Led by the the light levels, the photosynthetic activity of the grafted seedlings in the healing period, lead to a decreasing of CO₂ concentration. This means that the two parts of the planting material are jointed, healed. So, the farmers can manipulate the environment in the healing rooms. This paper presents an overview of the scientific and technical issues that have to be achieved in order to reach suitable control and management of microclimate conditions in healing rooms for grafted vegetables.