SE--Structures and Environment Natural Ventilation and Microclimatic Performance of a Large-scale Banana Greenhouse

Natural ventilation performance is one of the key parameters for climate control in large scale, Canarian type of greenhouses which are rapidly expanding along the Atlantic coast in Morocco. The climatic conditions were measured and analysed in a 1ha Canarian type of greenhouse, with a mature banana crop which was the second most widespread crop under protected cultivation in the region of Rabat, Morocco. A global energy balance of the greenhouse is deduced, allowing for the determination of ventilation flux. New ventilation functions for very large-scale greenhouses are presented and compared with other existing functions. The greenhouse ventilation performances are compared with those of other greenhouse types and discussed with respect to the improvement of greenhouse design, the use of insect-proof nets and irrigation control.