Pilot Underground Greenhouse as an alternative against frequent and intense frosts that occur in the Hidalguense Highlands

Abstract

The prevailing weather conditions in the Valles Altos of the Mexican state of Hidalgo enhance high frequency of frosts that usually last from September to April, causing serious damage and constraints on agricultural cycles, both open sky and protected agriculture. In this paper, the results of observations of the behavior of temperatures during night and early morning hours of an underground greenhouse built on the campus of the Polytechnic University of Pachuca are reported. These data allow for an innovative approach to the production of horticultural, ornamental and medicinal plants during the period of frost. After four years of continuous experimentation, there have been cultivated horticultural, ornamental and medicinal plants, during all months of the year, even when they came to present -10 degrees Celsius or lower coolings. As observed, one can conclude that the results have been satisfactory to the experimental design and, therefore, may try to build greenhouses of 2000 square meters with trade capacity throughout the year with some adaptations derived from a larger area.