I International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Tropical and Temperate Climates

Protected cultivation involves the use of structures covered in glass, plastic or net to fully or partially control the microclimate around a crop. In tropical, temperate and mild winter climates, protected cultivation can permit horticultural cropping in areas where field production is challenging due to adverse weather, poor soils or limited land availability. Protected cultivation can offer higher yields, an extended growing season, control of pests and diseases with minimal pesticide use, higher water use efficiency and the potential to recycle water and nutrients. These climates also provide challenges for protected cultivation such as greenhouse cooling, and the need to develop more sustainable systems when simple and low-cost structures are used.