Effect of Greenhouse Environment on the Germination and Growth of Plants

The study deals with creating suitable environment for the germination and subsequent growth of plants in the greenhouse of size 7m x 3m x 2m for raising early summer vegetable nursery. It was observed that due to the greenhouse effect, the average air temperature inside the greenhouse was 10–12°C higher than the ambient air temperature. Inside average soil temperature was also 5–7° higher than the corresponding temperature outside the greenhouse. Greenhouse night microclimate was modified by covering its roof by a polyester sheet to cut down the effect of night sky radiation. The effect of elevated temperature in the greenhouse on the germination and subsequent growth of seedlings upto 2 true leave stage was monitored. It was observed that the germination of seeds, sown inside the greenhouse occurred one week earlier as compared to the seeds sown in the open field. The rate of growth of the seedlings inside the greenhouse took only 3 weeks to attain 2 leaves stage, whereas seedlings sown in the open field took 5 weeks reach upto 2 leaves stage. Thus, there was a clear saving of 15 days in raising the nursery under the greenhouse.