Engineering Commons^™

Ventilation System Design Parameters For Greenhouses For Tobacco Production, R. S. Gates, George A. Duncan

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Methods for germination and initial growth of tobacco have changed rapidly in recent years, moving from outside float beds into double-layer plastic greenhouses. Typically, these "tobacco greenhouses" consist of sidewall curtains, which run the entire length of both sides of the house. They may also have modest mechanical ventilation.

Ventilation of greenhouse structures is a mature field, with engineering practices for proper design given by numerous organizations including ASAE. In this article we briefly outline the important features of ventilation of concern to tobacco greenhouse operators.