The Science of Shade: Key Resources on New Research Updates

Choosing the right greenhouse covering or shade starts with understanding your operation’s specific needs — and how each option measures up.

In the last of a three-part series (be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the series, Greenhouse Grower caught up with manufacturers to learn more about resources growers can use to keep up with the latest developments in coverings and shading systems. Here’s a rundown of those resources.

• Wageningen University report on Energy Saving Screen Materials: https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/energy-saving-screen-materials-measurement-method-of-radiation-ex. This report also covers how heat retention is measured.
• A good starting point is to look at light and climate from the plant’s perspective. Key principles include Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), which drives photosynthesis, the McCree curve showing how different wavelengths contribute to plant growth, and photomorphogenesis, which explains how light quality affects plant development and shape.
• “Optimizing spectral quality with quantum dots to enhance crop yield in controlled environments”: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-020-01646-1
• “Solar spectrum modification by luminescent agriculture films for enhanced light use efficiency in greenhouse plant trials”: https://www.actahort.org/books/1426/1426_32.htm
• “Luminescent Quantum Dot Films Increase the Radiation Capture and Yield of Lettuce and Sweet Basil Compared to a Traditional/Neutral-density Greenhouse Glazing”: https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/59/7/article-p988.xml
• “Luminescent quantum dot films improve light use efficiency and crop quality in greenhouse horticulture”: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2022.988227/full
• https://www.academia.edu/: This site has many research papers on shade and other coverings. When you sign up you will receive research papers on any subject you ask about.