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The main reason for applying microclimate control in greenhouses is to achieve optimal growing environment. Because of its complexity, excessive control in greenhouses can adversely affect the growing crops. Moreover, we need an optimal ambiental control to accomplish these complicated objectives, including low emissions and reduced production costs. This paper describes one practical approach to the real-time control system in a greenhouse. Control system considers internal and external ambient factors related to the regulation process. Control system cyclically reads the data from the sensors and implements appropriate response on the actuator, based on required greenhouse conditions. Most challenging was the design of the control algorithm for this kind of process, due to a complexity of influential greenhouse variables.

The environmental benefits of green roofs have been widely recognized. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to moisture management in the green roof systems. The moisture in the green roof has an influence on its thermal and hydrological performances. An accurate measurement of water content in green roof substrate is important for irrigation monitoring, optimal irrigation management, and plant growth. Knowing the performance and characteristics of the sensor for the chosen substrate layer in a green roof system is essential. This paper presents laboratory calibration of the capacitive moisture sensor in two types of the green roof substrate layer. The volumetric water content of several mineral wool and soil samples, with the water content from low until saturated, were measured using the gravimetric method and related to frequency obtained by the sensor. The results have shown that the capacitive moisture sensor has a good response to water content variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]