A macro tunnel in agriculture is a structure used to protect and store crops during the vegetative cycles of the plant
This structure is use to reduce the impact of environmental effects on crops. Allowing their development without restriction under more favorable conditions. A macro tunnel in agriculture, commonly know as a “greenhouse”. Is construct with a metal or reinforced plastic structure, covered with a flat roof. The panels are cover with a plastic sheet. Which is intend to insulate the heat from the sun to protect the crops. Thermal insulation is crucial for a macro agricultural tunnel. This is primarily because plants need stable temperatures for optimal growth. This reduces the need to add heating systems.
In addition to the use of a foil for insulation
A macro tunnel in agriculture also requires a network of irrigation pipes. The irrigation network essentially helps farmers supply the plant with the water (and nutrients) necessary for its health and growth. The irrigation network also helps maintain humidity levels in the microclimate of the macro tunnel. These optimal humidity levels can be higher than outdoors, allowing for faster and more productive crop growth.
Among the many benefits of macro agricultural tunnels include a decrease in the amount of pesticide applications. This is due to the stable temperatures and humidities maintained inside the tunnel. Which reduces the amount of pests and diseases affecting crops. The lack of pests and diseases is especially beneficial for farmers engaged in organic food production: even a small amount of pesticides can damage such crops. Macro tunnels also allow farmers to grow plants during the winter months in cold climate regions. This is a particular boon for farmers who would like to extend the growing season of their crops. Macro tunnels are also used in warm climate regions to protect crops from damaging high temperatures.
There are some significant disadvantages to using macro tunnels
Material and construction costs are substantial, especially for small-scale farmers. Macro tunnel panels and frames also wear out and must be repaired or replaced over time. Condensation buildup can lead to the formation of mold, a typical crop disease. The foil used to insulate heat from the sun can deteriorate over time, diminishing the benefits of thermal insulation.
Macro tunnel in agriculture is an excellent structure for growing plants under more favorable conditions. Benefits include a reduction in the amount of pests and diseases. An increase in crop yields, and an improvement in food quality. The cost of installing and maintaining a macro tunnel, however, is a significant disadvantage for growers. Growers should carefully consider these factors before deciding if a macro tunnel is the best option for their needs.
What is an agricultural macro tunnel for?
Agricultural macro tunnel is a very useful tool for farmers, as it allows them to protect their crops from adverse weather conditions such as cold, rain and excessively strong winds. This structure is build by forming a winterization over the fields, where the crops will be expose to much more favorable conditions. This means that farmers will have longer and more abundant harvest cycles. This also means that food can be grow year-round, providing a constant and stable supply to the market.
A macro agricultural tunnel also helps reduce crop losses due to pests and diseases. This structure keeps pests and diseases out of crops through management practices such as soil sweeping and weed control. These efforts in turn reduce the need for pesticides, saving both money and pesticides. In addition, an agricultural macro tunnel insulates crops from the outside weather, which reduces the risk of sudden changes in temperature and weather conditions. These extreme conditions can cause crops to lose both nutrients and quality. Farmers can use the tunnel to control any changes in the indoor climate, keeping crops healthy.
Agricultural macro tunnels are also very useful for growing vegetables
They can provide an environment with less sunlight, which helps plants grow better. This is achieve by keeping the plastics tightly stretched to minimize the amount of sunlight entering the tunnel. This also helps prevent soil heating, which significantly increases crop survival during the summer.
Many macro tunnels are construct from recycle materials, which minimizes the carbon emissions associated with their construction. In addition, these structures can also be install on marginal soils, with the objective of reclaiming this land for agricultural uses. This is achieve by minimizing water consumption and nitrate pollution, both of which contribute significantly to soil degradation.
Agricultural macro tunnels are very useful tools for farmers, as they provide protection against the weather, reduce crop losses due to pests and diseases, control the indoor climate and provide the possibility of growing crops all year round. In addition, these structures are build with recycled materials, which helps reduce carbon emissions. Therefore, these types of tunnels are an excellent solution for farmers looking to gain more production and at the same time take care of the environment.
What are the characteristics of a macro tunnel in agriculture?
A macro agricultural tunnel is one of the largest and most robust greenhouse structures on the market, designed for a much larger land area cultivation extension than traditional greenhouses. These tunnels are use commercially on many farms as an innovation project that expands agricultural production by providing the ability to extend the growing season.
Main characteristics of this type of tunnel are its structure of steel beams lined with a PVC membrane, which doses the lighting and solar irradiation to facilitate a homogeneous heating of the ambient temperature. These membranes are design to filter UV light to prevent crop damage while promoting photosynthesis.
Another feature of the agricultural macro tunnels is the controlled ventilation by means of exhaust fans that increase the air flow in a refreshing way to the interior environments, preventing the risk of condensation and maintaining a low level of humidity in the soil. These tunnels also have a delayed lateral closing system that allows temperature control, as an excellent way to save energy and protect crops from the cold.
Efficiency of these agricultural macro tunnels is one of their main features in terms of production
This is mainly due to the superposition of layers inside the tunnel, so that there are two layers of fabrics to ensure optimal temperature control and maintain a stable environment. These layers are design to meet the specific thermal requirements of the desired crops.
In addition, these greenhouses are equipped with various automated irrigation systems to facilitate the farmer’s work. These intelligent systems allow growers to control the humidity and amount of water for crops remotely from a computer, as well as to schedule energy-saving irrigation events without compromising plant nutrition.
Agricultural macro tunnels provide an optimal environment for crop production, thanks to features such as the steel beam structure and PVC membrane, controlled ventilation, delayed side closure system, layers of fabrics inside the tunnel, and automated irrigation systems. These together allow for a more productive and profitable crop for growers.