INRA : Technological farming.

INRA : Technological farming.

What we see here is a pilot sustainable farming program for the production of roses, for the purposes of which INRA Antibes wished to have an efficient tool, equipped with all the latest technologies and the maximum automatic control.

Construction of a prototype sustainable farming greenhouse.

In the interests of developing and applying these new methods of farming, a greenhouse specifically designed for the purpose was built at URIH/INRA Antibes on the Sophia-Antipolis site.

The main priority was to strengthen the physical barriers destined to prevent the entry of pests (airlock, Insect Proof netting, water purification) while maintaining acceptable farming conditions (optimised openings, for example).

Climatic simulations using fluid mechanics software have been used to test the various hypotheses and to obtain an acceptable compromise between the objective of confinement and the technical and financial constraints of greenhouse growers.

The representative dimensions of the greenhouse (921 m2) will make it possible to validate and optimise the initial simulations.

Apart from the quest for maximum protection, growth control tools have been developed: optimised control of the climate, fertilisation and plant growth.

INRA consulted FILCLAIR and worked in liaison with its design office to draw up the specification of requirements, the main objective of which was to make the greenhouse as watertight and airtight as possible.

This led to the installation of a spacious 9600 multispan greenhouse (4 m gutter height, 6 m ridge height) with a surface area of 921 m2 divided into 3 compartments:

- A closed zone for research into pathological problems such as viruses, fungi, insects…

- A zone for off-soil production of roses, starting with 3 common varieties.

- A technical zone destined, as its name implies, to house all the climate control equipment.

The greenhouse is equipped with an impressive array of options: insect proof netting using Tibelissa mesh, less tightly meshed than anti-trips netting but allowing more air to pass; AMPLITUDE® ridge openings and roll-up side openings; mixed shade and thermal screens, made of aluminised fabric;

double inflatable walls with a new plastic providing excellent light transmission and improved longevity; boarding on the straight bases made of a new polycarbonate also providing excellent light transmission in the region of 98% with a 10-year warranty.

These new materials can rival glass greenhouses in terms of luminosity or even, according to the manufacturers, surpass them.

Similarly, their improved longevity means that depreciation is less of a burden. Given its low surface area (921 m2), the infrastructure has a slightly higher cost per square metre than what professionals would achieve over several hectares.

A deliberate effort was nevertheless made to stay within price brackets that are close to economic reality, so that the pilot project can be transposed by any professional looking to expand into “reasoned agriculture”.

Obviously, all that comes at a price. However, those of phytosanitary products alone are now so high that the investment is worthwhile, not to mention all the benefits to the health of users and consumers.

This project received the support of French partners with whom we were keen to collaborate, such as FILCLAIR or MEILLAND-RICHARDIER, who provided us with the most representative variety of red rose on the market: the Magnum. To this selection, we added an orange and a yellow variety from NIRP International: Milva and Suella.

Each played its role beyond our expectations to bring the project to a successful conclusion under the best possible conditions.

We are therefore entirely satisfied with their collaboration.