CO2 enrichment of greenhouses [ Return towards Agriculture / Fish farming / Greenhouses ]
Air and sunlight are pick up by the plants to grow. The CO2 concentration in the surrounding air is a key factor of the photosynthesis. Therefore, an enriched concentration in the greenhouse is a major asset to productivity increase.
Photosynthesis principle
Plants photosynthesis is the conversion of light energy into chemical energy. The raw materials used by the plants are CO2, water and minerals, the end products being oxygen and organic matter like sucrose, glucose and starch.
The CO2 enrichment process
The surrounding CO2 concentration is a key parameter of the photosynthesis, and the purposes of the additional CO2 supply are:
- To fasten growth and ripening, and therefore reduce the culture period
- To increase the resistance to diseases
- To increase the quality
- To increase the culture’s productivity
The main concerned cultures are tomatoes, cucumbers, and flowers.
- © Copyright AIR LIQUIDE 2009
