An investigation of transparent materials affecting the growing process of greenhouse plants in a tropical climate

Greenhouse farming is an alternative agricultural practice implemented in several climatic conditions with different in-use purposes. The general main purpose of greenhouse development tends to optimize energy consumption for climate control and plant productivity by the Internet of Things (IoTs) with few environmental drawbacks. However, in tropical climates, development is focused on pest protection and selective environmental factors to support plant growth by physical materials including net and transparent materials. This research aimed to investigate 1) how transparent materials affect greenhouse air temperature, light intensity, air humidity and plant growth and 2) how those transparent materials impact environments based on the Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) framework in tropical climate conditions. The research methodology mainly focused on systematic reviews of in-use transparent materials and their implementation affecting plant growth relying on the CIPP framework. Additionally, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Material, Energy and Toxic (MET) matrix were research tools also used to analyze environmental impacts of those materials. Research findings are critically explained by the CIPP framework: the Context element points to existing weather conditions and greenhouse production and the productivity of Thai case studies, which can be scoped to the melon plant which is a significant proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Thailand; Input relates to the transparent materials and other factors affecting the greenhouse ambience and plant growth. Process can be explained based on implementation of technological devices, constructional materials and operation, planting methods and technique. Lastly, Product is the outcome in terms of plant productivity and environmental impacts. Critical analysis of environmental impacts will mean making sure that farmers and developers are additionally aware about the importance of using sustainable materials in greenhouse farms in the future. Consequent contributions to this research will continue as knowledge is gained later in real time by monitoring environmental factors in the melon greenhouses of Thailand.