OPTICO—a model based real-time expert system for dynamic optimization of CO2 enrichment of greenhouse vegetable crops

To improve the economic yield of CO, enrichment for greenhouse crops, an expert system (OPTICO) was constructed. The system continually adapts the setpoints of a standard climate computer to the climate, the greenhouse regulation equipment and the crop’s physiological status and stage of development. Models describing air loss and photosynthesis were used for selecting an optimized C02 setpoint by choosing the largest positive difference between expected income and cost. During the autumn of 1991 the sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Trophy was used as experimental plant in two standard greenhouse compartments. One treatment used the optimized C02 enrichment, the other a.fixed C02 level of 600 ppm. The optimized treatment resulted in greater yield using less C02. The results stress the importance of adapting the C02 level to the immediate irradiance and current leaf area and carbon partitioning behaviour of the crop.