9/29/2022

What is ABE?
RA 10915

Agricultural and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering refers to the application of

engineering science and designs to the processes and systems
involved in the sustainable production, post production and

Biosystems Engineering processing of safe food, feed, fiber, timber and other agricultural and
biological materials and the efficient utilization, conservation, and
management of natural and renewable resources in order to
ABE AND THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES enhance human health in harmony with the environment.
Agricultural and biosystems consist of crops, forestry and other
BY ENG R. JECAR T. DADOLE plants, poultry, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture resources and
other animals, wildlife and other living things.

Careers in ABE Challenges in ABE as a Profession

Agriculturist Engineer New graduates and new engineers are not fully equipped with knowledge and skills
required to initial practice of the profession.
Agronomist Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer Competing with job application with other agricultural and biosystems engineering
Horticulture Specialist Engineering Consultant related professions such as agriculturists, foresters and environmental science
professionals.
Plant Breeder Project Engineer
Lack of technical trainings for ABE related technologies such as operation and
Farm Managers and Supervisors Contractor maintenance of Greenhouses and other farm production structures and buildings;
Product Developers Irrigation Specialist agricultural machinery operation, testing, and maintenance.
Marketing Personnel Managers and Supervisors Lack of practical experiences in handling irrigation related jobs and activities such as
irrigation water quality sampling and testing.
Researchers Researchers
Lack of practical experiences in designing, standardization and testing of agricultural
machineries and equipment.
 ABE is a multidisciplinary profession with diverse opportunities locally and overseas.
Unpopularity of the profession in the Philippines.
 Currently there is shortage in number of Professionals.
 Institutionalization of ABE Law will require more ABE in the next coming years.
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Greenhouse : the current emerging

Challenges in Agriculture technology set-up
Low adaptability to mechanization technologies According to PAES, a greenhouse is a structure that provides a
Aging farmers
reliable enclosure within which an environment favorable to plant
growth can be attained.
Land Conversion of Agricultural Areas
It is a shelter for plant production providing necessary requirements
Price hike of inputs
to attain optimum level of production.
Low price of farm produce
Unsuitability of agricultural machinery
Climate Change
Sustainability

Controlled Atmosphere Greenhouse Design Considerations:

Controlled atmosphere agriculture or controlled 1. Choice of Crop
environment agriculture is a system of crop production 2. Conditions required by the crop – Close/Open
where in crops are provided with artificial, or altered
3. Light – Temperature, Intensity of Radiation
environment to facilitate growth, maximize space,
efficient fertilization and irrigation, manage pests and 4. Water – Irrigation water, Fertigation
diseases, and sustainably produce anytime of the year. 5. Anchor - Soil Media/ Soilless Media
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Components of the Greenhouse: Greenhouse and IPM

1. Roofing and Ventilation System – Wind resistant  Greenhouse is a closed system but it should have a provision for balance in
2. Shade and Radiation Control System – Shade nets ecosystem.
3. Anchor and Support – Ex. Plastic twines and hooks  Presence of pest should be required and pest control should then be provided.
4. Irrigation and Drainage System – Water pumping and reservoir Ex. Whiteflies, Aphids and Dragon Fly (Encarsia formosa)
5. Fertilization and Injection System  A well established Integrated Pest Management System should be provided.
6. Heating and Cooling System – Temperature control. Avoid Internal condensation  Pollinators should be provided. A combination of mechanical pollination and
7. Humidity Control natural pollinators is used in larger greenhouses.
8. Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen Exchange System
9. Sanitation System

Water Supply and Irrigation Maintenance of Greenhouse

 Drip irrigation – Pressure compensating emitters  Roof cleaning – avoid dust and growth of algae
 Fertigation – Combination of fertilization and irrigation through  Disinfection of tools used
injection of fertilizer solution to the irrigation water.  Quarantine areas with infectious diseases
 Rainwater utilization – The roofing system should act as catchment
for rain water collection  Provision of artificial lighting if solar radiation is limited.
 Reservoir and waste water use - Provision of water reservoir and  Regular flushing of piping systems to avoid accumulation of
pumping system, enough to sustain the irrigation needs of crop carbonates.
production.  Provision of additional insects inside the greenhouse
 Drainage system – Gutters and irrigation water return.  Irrigation water quality sampling and testing – EC and pH testing
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Getting Ready for Production: Basic Crop Care Activities

When can we say that a greenhouse is ready for  Regular pruning
production?
1. Sanitation – All the plant parts and debris from  Weeding
previous cycle should be removed, and the surfaces
inside the greenhouse should be sanitized  Stressing – twisting stems and vines, root trimming etc.
2. Piping system is fully functional and sanitized –  Anchoring or branch support
inside surface of the pipes are sanitized through
flushing with sanitizing solution.  Harvesting
3. All equipment are cleaned – all tools and
equipment necessary for production including all
kinds of lifts inside the greenhouse should be
cleaned and sanitized.