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Innovative Approaches in Greenhouses and Biosystems Engineering for a Sustainable Future

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Resources and Sustainable Utilization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 3650

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mohammad Akrami

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
Interests: sustainable engineering; energies; biosystems; computational analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Edwin Andres Villagran Munar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria - AGROSAVIA, Centro de Investigación Tibaitata, Mosquera, Cundinamarca, Colombia
Interests: energy simulation; numerical simulation; BES simulation; biosystems simulation; greenhouse technology; energy management; agriculture 4.0; climate-smart agriculture; smart irrigation; irrigation and fertilization modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices has never been more critical as we face the challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and a growing global population. This Special Issue aims to explore the cutting-edge advancements and innovative solutions in greenhouses and biosystems engineering that are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.

Greenhouses and biosystems engineering are pivotal in enhancing crop production efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring food security. This issue will highlight research and practical applications that address key areas such as energy-efficient greenhouse designs, integrated pest management, precision agriculture, water conservation, and the use of renewable energy sources.

We invite contributions from researchers, practitioners, and policymakers that provide insights into the latest technological innovations, case studies, and theoretical developments. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Advanced Greenhouse Technologies: innovations in greenhouse design and construction that maximize energy efficiency and crop yield;
  • Sustainable Energy Solutions: the utilization of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal in greenhouse operations;
  • Precision Agriculture in Greenhouses: the use of sensors, IoT, and data analytics to optimize crop management and resource use in greenhouses;
  • Integrated Pest and Disease Management in Greenhouses: sustainable approaches to pest and disease control that minimize the use of chemical pesticides;
  • Water Management in Greenhouses: techniques and technologies for efficient water use and recycling in greenhouse systems;
  • Climate Control Systems in Greenhouses: advances in climate control technologies that create optimal growing conditions while minimizing energy consumption;
  • Automation and Robotics in Greenhouses: the role of automation and robotics in enhancing productivity and reducing labor costs in greenhouse operations;
  • Economic and Environmental Impacts of Greenhouses: assessments of the economic viability and environmental benefits of innovative greenhouse and biosystem engineering practices;
  • Numerical Simulation and Modeling for Greenhouses: the application of computational models to predict and optimize greenhouse environments and biosystem processes;
  • Experimental Analysis in Greenhouses: empirical studies and experimental setups that validate new technologies and methods in greenhouse and biosystems engineering;
  • Water–Food–Energy Nexus in Greenhouse Systems: interdisciplinary approaches that address the inter-connectedness of water, food, and energy resources in sustainable greenhouse systems;
  • Biotechnology and Biosystems Integration in Greenhouses: the role of biotechnology in developing resilient crop varieties and integrating biological systems for enhanced productivity and sustainability.

This Special Issue will serve as a comprehensive resource for those involved in the field of greenhouses and biosystems engineering, providing valuable knowledge to drive sustainable practices and policies. By sharing pioneering research and practical solutions, we aim to foster a collaborative effort towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.

Dr. Mohammad Akrami
Dr. Edwin Andres Villagran Munar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • greenhouse technology
  • sustainable greenhouse agriculture
  • precision agriculture in greenhouses
  • renewable energy for greenhouses
  • water management in greenhouses
  • climate control in greenhouses
  • automation and robotics in greenhouses
  • numerical simulation for greenhouses
  • experimental analysis in greenhouses
  • water–food–energy nexus in greenhouse systems

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3821 KiB  
Article
Vapor Pressure Deficit as an Indicator of Condensation in a Greenhouse with Natural Ventilation Using Numerical Simulation Techniques
by Mirka Maily Acevedo-Romero, Constantin Alberto Hernández-Bocanegra, Cruz Ernesto Aguilar-Rodríguez, José Ángel Ramos-Banderas and Gildardo Solorio-Díaz
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 1957; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17051957 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 619
Abstract
The relationship between Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) and condensation in a naturally ventilated Gothic greenhouse in northeastern Mexico was analyzed using numerical simulation techniques. This study was carried out in 3D in a steady state, considering the presence of crops. The model was [...] Read more.
The relationship between Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) and condensation in a naturally ventilated Gothic greenhouse in northeastern Mexico was analyzed using numerical simulation techniques. This study was carried out in 3D in a steady state, considering the presence of crops. The model was validated with experimental data on temperature and relative humidity. Custom Field Functions (CFFs) were implemented to calculate VPD and dew point temperature (Tdp). The conditions that cause condensation inside the greenhouse were analyzed by evaluating days with and without the presence of condensation, with 100 and 50% window opening configurations, and the relationship between condensation and VPD levels was established as an indicator of this phenomenon. The simulation results showed that condensation conditions can be prevented by opening the ventilation at its maximum capacity in a timely manner. In the simulation with a 50% opening, VPD values of zero were reached and coincided with zero and negative values in the subtraction of ambient temperature and dew point temperature. However, when opening the windows to 100%, the VPD maintained values between 0.15 and 0.25, and the dew point temperature remained below ambient temperature by up to 2 °C. It is concluded that the VPD can indicate the risk or presence of condensation inside the greenhouse. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches in Greenhouses and Biosystems Engineering for a Sustainable Future)
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Review

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41 pages, 4616 KiB  
Review
Use of Lighting Technology in Controlled and Semi-Controlled Agriculture in Greenhouses and Protected Agriculture Systems—Part 1: Scientific and Bibliometric Analysis
by Edwin Villagran, John Javier Espitia, Jader Rodriguez, Linda Gomez, Gina Amado, Esteban Baeza, Cruz Ernesto Aguilar-Rodríguez, Jorge Flores-Velazquez, Mohammad Akrami, Rodrigo Gil and Luis Alejandro Arias
Sustainability 2025, 17(4), 1712; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041712 - 18 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2034
Abstract
This paper examines the essential role of artificial lighting in protected agriculture, a crucial sector in addressing the increasing global food demand and the challenges posed by climate change. It explores how advanced lighting technologies, particularly LED systems, have revolutionized productivity and sustainability [...] Read more.
This paper examines the essential role of artificial lighting in protected agriculture, a crucial sector in addressing the increasing global food demand and the challenges posed by climate change. It explores how advanced lighting technologies, particularly LED systems, have revolutionized productivity and sustainability in greenhouses and indoor or urban farming systems. These technologies enable precise control over key factors influencing crop growth, optimizing both yield and resource efficiency. The methodology was based on a bibliometric analysis developed in four phases: collection of information in the scientific database Scopus, filtering and selection of relevant documents, quantitative and qualitative analysis of trends, and visualization of the results using tools such as VOSviewer. The study included scientific publications between 1974 and 2024, focusing on keywords related to greenhouse lighting technologies and protected agriculture systems. Key findings identified a significant increase in research over the last two decades, with countries such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and China leading the way in scientific output. The main trends in artificial lighting for protected agriculture include the use of specific light spectra (particularly red and blue) to optimize photosynthesis and morphogenesis, as well as the integration of LED systems with digital sensors and controllers for enhanced precision. However, in developing countries such as Colombia, the adoption of these technologies remains in its early stages, presenting significant opportunities for implementation and expansion. Additionally, this bibliometric analysis provides a robust foundation for identifying key areas for improvement and guiding future research toward more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches in Greenhouses and Biosystems Engineering for a Sustainable Future)
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