GREENHOUSE WITH RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the process of collecting and storing rainwater for future productive use. The installation of RWH system in greenhouses offer water security an a safe, controlled environment for optimal growth of plants. The basic concept involves the collection of rainwater incident on the rooftop of greenhouses, storing the collected water, and providing irrigation to the to plants using the harvested water through drip irrigation systems. 

TIDE through studies in association with University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vigynana Kendra has experimented with a RWH system for large and small greenhouses. Data collected shows that  the water harvested from the roof top is adequate and of acceptable quality for irrigating crops inside the greenhouse. 

GI gutters are provided to the sloping roof of the greenhouse to collect rainwater. The harvested water is filtered and stored in rain barrels. Provision can also be made to collect overflow of water from these barrels. Water from the barrels is fed to the drip irrigation system through sand filters.

In the experiments conducted at the UAS, the rainwater harvesting system retrofitted to the greenhouse has enabled the cultivation of capsicum using rainwater and without depending on external water resources. The quality of rainwater is seen to be good when compared to groundwater. The low Total Dissolved Solids and constituents of rainwater allows for supply of water through existing drip irrigation systems. The system can be used to grow other agricultural/ horticultural crops (French beans, Pole beans, Cabbage, and flowers (Carnation, Gerbera and Chrysanthemum) although economics wise it is preferable to grow high value crops like coloured capsicum. The surplus water could be used for growing other crops or for artificial recharging of groundwater.

Read more about our experiments with greenhouse horticulture