You are now on the AHDB Horticulture and Potatoes website.
Please click here to access the main AHDB website and other sectors.
Please click here to access the main AHDB website and other sectors.
Protected Edibles
2 December 2020
Energy makes the world go round and it can manifest itself in many forms including radiation, light and chemical. However, we are mostly concerned with it as heat, electricity or as fuel (i.e. oil, gas, wood etc.) which, for the most part we pay for. It’s important that we are able to measure it, so we can evaluate and compare its costs and assess how efficiently it’s being used. Read more about how best to measure your energy use in this technical updates.
2 December 2020
Circulation fans have been widely used in greenhouses for many years. A well designed fan installation will benefit the greenhouse climate by helping to maintain consistent temperature and humidity throughout the growing area.
20 July 2021
Find out what heat pumps are and how they work.
20 July 2021
Learn about the key factors involved in installing an effective heat-pump system.
27 November 2020
The use of sensors within horticulture is hardly a recent development, with thermometers, measuring boxes and CO2 sensors having been used for decades. However, the advent of wireless sensing technology, as well as the reduction in prices of such equipment, means data collection is now cheaper and easier than ever before. Determining which types of sensors are best suited to your needs depends on a myriad of factors. This Technical Update looks at the sensors that may be available to you for different measurement requirements, how the information may be shared and viewed, and the impact of big data.
27 November 2020
If someone offered you a product that could increase light transmission in your glasshouse by 10%, would you be interested? Research has shown a strong correlation between crop yield and the amount of Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR: 400-700nm wavelengths) light reaching the crop. Read more about how you can improve your light transmission.
20 July 2021
Thermal storage is the means of storing thermal energy (heat or cooling) so it can be used sometime after it is generated.
20 July 2021
Key aspects to consider in the design and maintenance of an efficient modern heat storage system.
21 December 2020
Biomass heating has become more popular over recent years, but one disadvantage has been that biomass boiler flue gasses can't be used for CO2 enrichment without cleaning them. Read this technical update to read about developments in biomass flue gas cleaning systems.
21 December 2020
The advantages of diffuse light in horticultural production have been long debated, and there’s now increasing evidence that using light diffusing technologies in a greenhouse can give production advantages that include yield increases in edible crops and reduced time to market and quality improvements in ornamentals. Read this technical update on diffuse light to find out more.
27 September 2021
This factsheet provides an introduction to the biology, behaviour and recognition of the main groups of hyperparasitoids.
13 January 2023
Find out how to identify southern green sheildbug and look at the various methods available to prevent and control this pest.