Predicting the microclimate inside a greenhouse: an application of a one-dimensional numerical model in an unheated greenhouse

A one-dimensional numerical model has been adapted to predict the microclimate inside an unheated commercial greenhouse during a continuous period of 51 days. The main outputs of the model (hourly air and leaf temperatures and relative humidity) were used to derive the leaf wetness duration (LWD) each day. Measured microclimate parameters inside the greenhouse were used to test the model performance during the corresponding period. Reasonable agreement was found between the predicted and measured parameters for the entire period. The root mean square differences between the predicted and actual air and leaf temperatures, relative humidity and LWD were 1.2 and 1.8 degrees C, 5.8% and 1.9 h d(-1), respectively. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.