Environmental Issues

Globalization and technological advances have influenced various industries in how they conduct business. Almost all aspects of professionalism and fields, have to adapt to the different situations and circumstances presented to them. Environment influences the agricultural industry mostly due to rain patterns. Availability of water is essential for farming practices and more so in green house farming. Green house projects in the arid climates face numerous challenges in making sure the conditions are optimum for farming. The key concern is the availability of water and how to utilize it sustainably. The aim of this study is to analyze different techniques which can be used to avail water to green houses in arid climates and consequently the kind of crops which can be grown.

Water for Green Houses in Arid Climate
Advances in technology, have led to more growers embracing greenhouse crops and farming practices. Green house farming presents a lucrative opportunity for many countries across the globe. Farming of perishable crops such as tomatoes, roses and carrots among a few from green houses have benefited farmers who yield quality produce from this venture. Moreover, green houses in arid climate encounter the problem of having sufficient water for irrigation purposes through efficient and effective water management, which consequently affects the environment. Water is crucial for irrigation. Green house farming in arid areas is affected by the fact of experiencing rainfall inequalities and imbalances that simultaneously affect water availability for irrigation (Chandra, 1996). Countries in these regions, example Israel, have taken the initiatives to develop effective solutions to water availability and use.

Efficient water management efforts have been realized through installation of efficient infrastructure, allocating appropriate quotas, replenishing aquifers and pricing which discourages wasteful consumption of the precious resource. Lack of sufficient water quality and quantity is the drive which has forced most green house farmers to adopt effective means and plans to save valuable water resources. Moreover, both quantity and quality of water is important for the successful farming in greenhouses. This is a critical parameter that should not be overstepped in green house production. Water requirement in green houses varies depending on the nature of climate in a region, but it can be both lower or higher compared to the open field. Consumption of water in green houses will be higher in temperate climate compared to hot or tropical regions. Moreover, one of the methods of making water available for green houses in arid climate is to utilize hydroponic irrigation.

Hydroponics system in vegetable gardening refers farming in green houses where water atmosphere is used against the usual soil based farming. This technique utilizes rock wool or volcanic rock base for growing crops. Roses do well on these conditions, but also incorporate vegetables like tomatoes and carrots. Systems installed in the green houses exploit recycled water which is used for irrigation.

Runoff water from occasional rain downpour and also water used for irrigation in the green houses is recycled and consequently used to irrigate roses. More so, this goes a long way in saving liquid fertilizers and valuable water resources (Bai, 2001). The hydroponic system prevents weeds, puddles and other problems that can arise from surplus water that has been left as waste. Recycling of fertilizers and water that has not been absorbed in the first irrigation cycle, is used for second cycle and henceforth, thereby saving a green house farmer significant expenses from loss of these resources in an arid setting. The hydroponic system ensures that nutrients and water are re-absorbed back through the roots during irrigation. Surplus fertilizer and water consequently does not accumulate in the substrate without soil which can create water runoff of 40. Crops in the green house can be irrigated close to five or six times a day under this scheme. A water tank is essential to be constructed and placed in one of the ends in a green house that will be used to collect runoff water. Sequentially, nutrients and water collected in this tank is pumped back to the green house or pushed into drip laterals which can be used to irrigate nearby crops if any (Schoonderbeek, 2008).

There are numerous advantages of using this system in vegetable gardening. Essentially, the growth rate of crops under the hydroponics system is higher compared to plants planted in the soil experiencing double growth rate. This is unique to hydroponic plants because roots react differently to water and soil bases. More nutrients, water and oxygen are available to plants soaked in hydroponics mediums. Most of the plant energy is transformed into growth as the essential requirements for growth are readily available. This benefits green house farmers by saving water and nutrients which could have runoff in case of soil medium. Sequentially, water is utilized sustainably leading to higher yields. In addition, hydroponics is advantageous because the system provides better protection against fungi and bug infection diseases. Therefore, green house farming under this system results in much healthier crops which at the same time grow quickly (Lovichit, 2007). The produce from green houses benefits dry geographical locations where food sources are limited, and also economically by exporting the produce.

Green house famers in hydroponics can either choose a passive or active system, where in active hydroponics nutrient solutions are actively pumped from the recycling tanks to the roots and consequently absorbed. This process incurs more expenses for the farmer, but yields much compared to the passive system.   Moreover, the water quality is constantly monitored in hydroponics system regarding pH and salinity levels through a special computer. Runoff water can be diluted with fresh water to reach the appropriate which are essential for irrigation and growth of crops. In addition, special pipes can be placed on the roof of the green houses, which can be used to collect rainwater when it rains occasionally. Rainwater collected can be used to irrigate roses in the green houses and other crops in the vicinity. The quality of harvested rainwater is high for irrigation purposes, which can also be used for leaching purposes due to salt accumulated during irrigation. Rainwater provides a relief from recycled water. Moreover, a green house is considered to use water efficiently compared to production systems in the open fields, but nonetheless water usage in conventional arid green houses use considerable amount of water through irrigation and evaporative cooling. Water recovery systems can also be used to monitor water consumption in the plant (Kubota, 2007). In this system, the exhaust air emanating from the green house is directed to a pad and a fan equipped with an evaporative cooling system, where chilled water is passed over the hot air acting as energy sink and consequently recover water from the humid air via condensation.

This technology has proved to be effective and being an economical option for running a green house. Benefits culminate towards recovering water from exhaust air and re-using the collected water. In addition, apart from ensuring there is enough quality water for green house farming in arid regions, other components such as planning land use, structure of green houses and materials used, are crucial in arid farming through green houses. Water conservation schemes should also be placed as priority in arid areas where irrigation can be utilized for green house farming. Green houses save twenty to twenty five percents of water used in cultivating compared to the conventional farming methods. Improving on water use in areas, will effectively enable long term crop yields in green houses and consequently controlling water used in irrigation. Hydroponics system for green houses in arid regions, presents a solid option for farmers who can also incorporate water recovery systems, to improve on the overall availability of fresh and quality water for irrigation (Dalrymple, 2000). Water recovery systems will aid hydroponic system to conserve and utilize the available water resources in the arid region, and foster growth of vegetables and ornamental plants. Overall, water policies and effective water management systems should be put in place, to help green house farmers meet their target produce in high yields and consequently conserving the environment and the limited resources available.

Conclusion
Water conservation practices are extremely important for green house irrigation purposes in arid climate and regions. Effective conservation through recycling and re-use of water will, ultimately reduce expenses for farmers saving on water and fertilizer resources. Overall, this is an essential element regarding water policies in any country or region, but deal more significantly on arid regions and climate countries that practice green house farming. Commitment to effective fertilizer and water management is a crucial aspect compounding innovative techniques that place importance upon water re-use and reclamation, and conservation.

Hydroponics system of farming in green houses significantly reduces the need of water for green house farming especially in arid regions. Water is recycled and reused which results to potential savings for farmers in both fertilizer and water use. Conventional farming practiced in arid and semi-arid regions, utilizes a lot of water that ends up to be wasted through over-absorption by the soil and evaporation, which can also lead to soil salination. Reduction in agricultural productivity is high compared to hydroponic green houses. Therefore, water use in arid areas would be effectively managed and utilized, hence benefiting farmers and residents in that region.