Open-field Cultivation
This is the commonest way of vegetable production. With this, you need; soil with good structure, rich in Soil Nutrients and free from diseases or disease-causing organisms. The soil also needs to have a pH balance. Vegetables, with this method, are grown directly under the sun, subject to direct incidence of the sun ad hits from raindrops. They are in the open and so insects have free access. They attack your vegetable plants and destroy them. In this case, there is the application of agrochemicals. Image the health implications if not done right. You can lose all your crops to heavy attack by pest too if you don’t apply the chemicals.
Greenhouse Cultivation
The greenhouse has a controlled environment where you can grow your vegetables. The features of a greenhouse project the plants against insect pests and birds. There will be no insect to pollinate your vegetable. You may have to do it yourself. Temperature, humidity, irrigation and light can all be controlled depending on the needs of the vegetables. Little to no chemicals are used. Fruits appear very clean without spots or bruises. It allows for production throughout the year. The time for harvesting is also prolonged.
Criteria | Open-field | Greenhouse |
---|---|---|
Yield per area | Lower | Higher |
Fruit quality | Low | High |
Harvest period | One month | Over 6months |
Weather dependence | High | Low |
Climate control | Uncontrolled | Controlled |
Cost of structure | No cost | High |
Space requirement | Large | Small |
Pollination | Insects | Self |
Growing period | Seasonal | Year round |
Crop seed availability | Common | Not common |
Use of chemicals | Highly | Relatively lower |
Disease and Pest infestation | High | Reduced |
Water source | Rain | Irrigation |
Weed control | Difficult | Easier |
Theft | High | Reduced |
Initial cost of production | Lower | High |
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By: Nobowa.com