Moldovan Greenhouse Design Manual

The manual is a result of the Agricultural Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (ACED), sponsored by the USAID/Ukraine Regional Contract Office, with a contract number of AID-117-C-11-0001, and implemented by DAI. The manual emphasizes the importance of creating an optimal plant microclimate within the greenhouse to maximize plant growth and production. It highlights the need to focus on the environment of the plant, rather than the greenhouse environment, to achieve substantial savings or growth increases. The manual also stresses the significance of plant transpiration, which serves two purposes for the plant: cooling and nutrient movement. The manual outlines a step-by-step approach to improving the greenhouse environment, starting with the cold frame and progressing through various interventions, including plant support, irrigation, high tunnel, and rollup sidewall curtains. It also covers more advanced features, such as computer controls, automatic roll-up doors, gutter-connected greenhouses, fan and pad cooling, and CO2 enrichment. The manual provides detailed information on the greenhouse frame, including arch shapes, frame materials, footers and concrete, insulation, irrigation, rollup sidewalls, cover, air inflation fans, heater sizing, HAF fans, exhaust fans, evaporative pad system design, and three sample greenhouse designs for Moldova. The manual's introduction highlights the importance of considering both costs and production when designing a greenhouse. It emphasizes the need to create an environment that will result in the highest produce quality and plant production during a time when the market price is high, while also keeping capital and operating costs to a minimum. The manual's focus on the plant microclimate and plant physiology provides a solid foundation for understanding the complex interactions between the plant, the greenhouse environment, and the various interventions used to improve plant growth and production. By following the manual's guidelines, greenhouse designers and operators can create an optimal environment for plant growth, leading to increased productivity and profitability. The manual's emphasis on cost-effectiveness and efficiency is also noteworthy, as it highlights the importance of minimizing equipment and operating costs while maximizing plant growth and production. This approach is particularly relevant in the context of the Agricultural Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project, which aims to improve the competitiveness and enterprise development of the agricultural sector in Moldova. Overall, the Moldovan Greenhouse Design Manual provides a comprehensive and practical guide for designing and operating greenhouses in Moldova. Its focus on the plant microclimate, plant physiology, and cost-effectiveness makes it a valuable resource for greenhouse designers, operators, and farmers seeking to improve plant growth and production in the region.