Agricultural Technology

Humidity values in glasshouses are important indicators for good plant growth. Or to avoid plant diseases. High air humidity can stimulate the growth of harmful fungi, promote other diseases or impair the nutrient uptake of plants. The relative humidity should ideally lie in a range of 50 - 85 %RH.

The measurement and monitoring of relative humidity make it possible to control humidification and fogging systems. They come into action when the humidity is too low. If the humidity is too high, a ventilation or heating system can help. In all cases, use of these systems should be controlled optimally to keep energy costs down.

When storing fruit and vegetables, it is vital to maintain optimum storage conditions to protect against loss of moisture, prevent decay and extend the lifetime of the produce. To control the atmosphere in fruit and vegetable warehouses, relative humidity, temperature and CO₂ values are monitored. At a relative humidity of above 90%, the loss in weight through drying is kept within tight confines.

The measurement and monitoring of relative humidity is just as important in feed drying and storage as it is in big-bale technology and seed storage.
  

Further applications

• Environmental chambers
  The effects of simulated and accelerated environmental changes on plants are investigated in special climate chambers. Instruments to measure humidity, temperature and CO₂ are used in these chambers.

• Seed research
  One focus in seed storage and research is the measurement of water activity.

Humidity

Temperature

Water activity