Many uses have been found for plastics in intensive horticulture throughout the world, but the present article is concerned more specifically with their use as coverings for greenhouses and walk-in tunnels, whether as thin flexible films or as flat or corrugated rigid sheets. The plastic may be supported on a metal or timber frame or, in the case of “bubble” houses, simply by air pressure.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
British Visqueen Ltd (1964) Low Tunnel Crop Protection with Visqueen Polythene Sheeting. Growers’ Technical Bulletin No. 3. First published 1964, latest edition 1971. British Visqueen Ltd., Stevenage, Herts., now Visqueen Marketing, Films Group, ICI Plastics Division, Welwyn Garden City
2.
British Visqueen Ltd (1972) Polythene Greenhouses and Walk-in Tunnels, Growers’ Technical Bulletin No. 1. Latest edition 1972. British Visqueen Ltd., Stevenage, Herts., now Visqueen Marketing, Films Group, ICI Plastics Division, Welwyn Garden City
3.
ButtreyD N (1974) Plastics Today (47) 2
4.
CanhamA E (1967) Air-supported plastics structures—Materials and design factors. Proc. Agric. Engng. Symp. Silsoe, Bedford. 14 Sept.1967. Paper 1/F/12
5.
DuncanG AWalkerJ N(1972) Review of Greenhouse Coverings. Univ. Kentucky. Paper No. 72–406 given at 1972 Annual meeting of the American Soc. of Agric. Engrs.
6.
EmmertE M (1957) Plastic row covering for producing extra-early vegetables outdoors Leaflet 167. Univ. of Kentucky Extension Service
7.
GoldsberryK L (1971) Florists Rev. 1971p. 53
8.
HallB J (1963) Continuous polyethylene tube covers for cucumbers. Proc. 4th Natn. Agric. Plast. Conf. 1973.p. 112
9.
JamiesonM (1971) The Grower, 13 Feb.p. 372
10.
KeverenR I (1973) Plastics in horticultural structures The Rubber and Plastics Research Association, Shawbury, Shrewsbury
11.
MAFF (1970) Film Plastic Tunnels: Prototypes designed at Lee Valley EHS Leaflet No. 17, Lee Valley Exp. Hort. Stn, Hoddesdon, Herts.
12.
MAFF (1971) Film Plastic Multispan Greenhouses LeafletNo. 20.Lee Valley Exp. Hort. Stn, Hoddesdon, Herts.
13.
MAFF (1972) Cropping in Walk-in Film Plastic Tunnels LeafletNo. 21.Lee Valley Exp. Hort. Stn, Hoddesdon, Herts.
14.
MartineauF (1963) Connaissance des Plastiques4 (38) 34