IMPACTOS DO AQUECIMENTO DO SUBSTRATO NA PRODUÇÃO DE MUDAS

Abstract

Facing a scenario in which the world population is constantly growing, it is necessary to search new technologies so that it is possible to increase food production in the long term. Therefore, technologies such as vertical farms are becoming increasingly relevant within agriculture. These technologies consist of environments where variables such as ambient temperature, soil moisture, air humidity, natural lighting and artificial lighting are controlled to optimize the production process. Thus, this work consisted of evaluating the impacts of substrate heating on the vegetable seedlings production. A substrate temperature control system was developed using the PID technique so that there were no temperature fluctuations during planting. The same technique was used to control irrigation water temperature to avoid thermal shock, and possible seed impracticability during the irrigation process. A soil moisture control system was used to ensure that the cultivars were always in the ideal condition. In view of this, it was possible to conclude that the substrate heating has positive or negative impacts on seedlings production depending of the temperature range, and the species used.