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Hightunnel design, construction & management

Hightunnel design, construction & management. Christopher Vincent Program Technician Horticulture – University of Arkansas civince@uark.edu 479-575-2122. Why?. Manipulate harvest season Improve growth Temperature Light diffusion and reduction Exclude pests Reduce diseases.

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Hightunnel design, construction & management

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  1. Hightunnel design, construction & management Christopher Vincent Program Technician Horticulture – University of Arkansas civince@uark.edu 479-575-2122

  2. Why? • Manipulate harvest season • Improve growth • Temperature • Light diffusion and reduction • Exclude pests • Reduce diseases January 3, 2011

  3. What for? Crops: • Berries • Tomatoes • Peppers • Greens • Flowers

  4. How?Higtunnel design • Rule: purpose driven design • Different designs have different impacts on inside microclimate • Choose your design according to the use you intend to give it

  5. Components • Anchors • Frame shape • Frame reinforcement • Skin • Size • Ease and cost of construction • Total cost per ft2

  6. Anchors • Screw paddle • Tube • Do you need cement?

  7. Frame Design • Quonset (hoop) • Simple • Vertical wall • Better ground space utilization • Gothic arch • Claimed to be better in snow

  8. Reinforcement • Purlins • Parallel • Connects hoops so they shift together • Perpendicular • Keeps hoop stable from shifting side-to-side

  9. Extra reinforcement • Truss/brace • Tubing gauge • 17-14 gauge • Square or round tubing • End reinforcement

  10. Wind preparedness • End wall strength • Venting height • Seal

  11. Skin • Thickness mils (usually 4-6 mils) • Many chemistries, 2 basic important properites • Transmittance • Diffusion • Effects on plants: • Basic light requirements • Balance with the seasonal daylight hours • Diffuse light = more efficient photosynthesis

  12. Skin attachment • Wiggle wire (spring wire, channel wire) • Semipermanent • Stable • Seals • Rope • Easily adjustable • Requires adjustment • Holds plastic down, doesn’t seal

  13. Double-skinning • Two layers of poly seal and air pump inflates the space between them. • Superior insulation • Higher cost • Initial • Maintenance

  14. Construction • Ease • Number of people required at once • How much time • Cost • Tools and machinery • Materials • Labor

  15. Thanks.

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