technically speaking

BY ERIK RUNKLE

The Boundary Layer

and Its Importance
The boundary layer is a thin zone of calm air that surrounds through the plant is diminished. This can result in nutritional
each leaf. The thickness of the boundary layer influences how deficiencies, such as calcium, especially when the temperature
quickly gasses and energy are exchanged between the leaf and is warm enough to drive rapid leaf development and expansion.
the surrounding air. A thick boundary layer can reduce It doesn’t take much air movement to reduce the boundary layer
the transfer of heat, CO2 and water vapor from the leaf thickness; a recommended wind speed created by horizontal
to the environment. airflow fans in a greenhouse is 50 to 100 feet per minute
Knowing which factors influence the boundary layer (around one foot per second).
and then regulating them is important in controlled- There can be situations when a thick boundary layer is
environment production. In many growing situations, desired, such as when plant growth regulators are applied
a moderately thin boundary layer is desired, whereas as foliar sprays or
a thicker boundary layer can be desirable during during propagation
propagation and when plant growth regulators are of cuttings. Research Knowing which
applied as foliar sprays. has shown that the factors influence
There are several factors that influence the efficacy of PGR sprays
boundary layer thickness including characteristics increases as the drying the boundary layer
of the leaves themselves. Leaves that are larger in
size, are not dissected, and have pubescence or hairs
time of the spray
increases, which is why
and then regulating
typically have thicker boundary layers. A dense canopy PGR applications are them is important
including very tight spacing of plants impedes air movement
and increases boundary layer thickness. The environmental
recommended during
slow-drying conditions,
in controlled-
factor with the greatest influence on boundary layer thickness such as in the morning environment
is wind speed. This is one of the reasons why at least some and on cloudy days.
Erik Runkle is
air movement in a greenhouse is advised, and why adequate During propagation of production.
professor and air movement inside growing rooms (vertical farms) is critical. cuttings, a major goal
floriculture Inside a greenhouse with no ventilation (passive or active) is to reduce water loss from the leaf, especially during the first
extension specialist and with no horizontal airflow from fans, the boundary layer several days in propagation. This is accomplished by delivering a
in the department can become thick enough to impede photosynthesis and thus, high humidity and turning off fans.
of horticulture at plant growth. Generally though, a thick boundary layer is undesirable since
The boundary layer can be considered as the microclimate the microclimate surrounding leaves and shoots becomes more
Michigan State
that surrounds each leaf and growing point of each plant. different than the air. Humidity increases, CO2 concentration
University. He
When the boundary layer is thick (no air movement, leaves are decreases, temperature becomes more different from the air,
can be reached at crowded together), the microclimate around the plant becomes and water (and thus nutrient) uptake decreases. This can
[email protected]. increasingly different from the surrounding air. This can mean hamper photosynthesis and also create conditions that are more
that the temperature of the plant can become substantially favorable for pathogens.
warmer than the air during sunny conditions, and that the relative Two GPN articles provide useful information on the importance
humidity becomes high, which reduces water loss (transpiration) of horizontal air flow and installing fans in greenhouses for
from the plant. The concentration of CO2 around the leaf also can desirable results: www.gpnmag.com/grower-101-horizontal-air-
be reduced if the uptake of CO2 for photosynthesis is faster than flow and www.gpnmag.com/fanning-uniformity-greenhouse-0.
replenishment from surrounding air. By ensuring proper air movement, you can avoid extreme
When the air is completely calm and the boundary layer is boundary layer thicknesses and the problems that can arise
thick, water loss from the leaf decreases and thus, water uptake when air movement is inadequate.

34 MARCH 2016 GPNMAG.COM