Protected Cultivation

Mahesh Chand Singh, PhD, is a Scientist in the Department of Soil and Water Engineering at the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology of Punjab Agricultural University, India, where he is actively engaged in teaching. He has made significant contributions to the fields of irrigation and drainage systems, remote sensing and GIS applications and protected cultivation. He has over 70 research papers published in international journals along with book chapters, popular articles, and one practical manual. He has held positions at various institutions, including Mata Gujri College, India; Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, India; ICAR-National Agricultural Science Fund (NASF); the Agricultural Science Recruitment Board (ASRB), India; and the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines. Dr Singh has developed several mathematical models for predicting greenhouse microclimate under soilless cropped conditions. K. K. Sharma, PhD, is a Plant Pathologist at the Dr. D.R. Bhumbla Regional Research Station of Punjab Agricultural University, India. Previously, he was an assistant professor at the Doon P.G. College of Agricultural Science and Technology, India. He has published research papers in national and international journals, practical e-manuals, book chapters, and popular articles. In addition to teaching and research, he is also engaged in various agriculture extension activities, such as agro-advisory services and transfer of technology through farmers’ training programs, and field days. He is a reviewer and editorial board member for several journals in his field.

• 1. Protected Cultivation: Technology, Constraints, and Its Global Status 2. Classification and Suitability of Protected Structures 3. Design and Construction of Greenhouse Structures 4. Soilless Cultivation Techniques in Protected Structures 5. Greenhouse Utilization for Vegetable Cultivation 6. Effect of Greenhouse Microclimate on Crop Performance 7. Irrigation and Fertigation Systems for Protected Cultivation 8. Recent Advances in Management of Diseases and Pests of Common Occurrence under Protected Cultivation 9. Insect-Pests and Diseases in Greenhouse Cultivation and Their Biological Control 10. Conventional and Recent Approaches of Integrated Pest Management in Greenhouse Cultivation 11. Geometric and Aerodynamic Characterization of Insect-Proof Screens Used in Greenhouses: Aerodynamic Models 12. Ventilation Models in Greenhouses 13. Greenhouse Climate Control for Flower Regulation in Ornamental Crops 14. Smart Farming Technologies for Protected Cultivation 15. Economic Feasibility, Status, and Future Prospects of Protected Cultivation