A greenhouse (also called a glasshouse, or, if with sufficient heating, a
hothouse) is a structure with walls and roof made chiefly of transparent material,
such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown.
These structures range in size from small sheds to industrial-sized buildings. A
miniature greenhouse is known as a cold frame. The interior of a greenhouse
exposed to sunlight becomes significantly warmer than the external temperature,
protecting its contents in cold weather.
Many commercial glass greenhouses or hothouses are high tech production facilities
for vegetables , flowers or fruits. The glass greenhouses are filled with
equipment including screening installations, heating, cooling, lighting, and may
be controlled by a computer to optimize conditions for plant growth. Different
techniques are then used to evaluate optimality-degrees and comfort ratio of
greenhouseate (i.e., air temperature, relative humidity and vapor pressure
deficit) in order to reduce production risk prior to cultivation of a specific
crop.
