Introduction

• Protected cultivation is the practice of growing crops in an environment that is artificially controlled to provide optimal conditions for plant growth.
• It is the modification of the natural environment to achieve optimum plant growth by using various growth structures like greenhouse, polytunnels and other covered or enclosed structures.
• Modification can be made to both the aerial and root environment to increase crop yields, extends the growing season and permit growth during periods of the year not commonly used to grow field crops.
• In other words, protected horticulture is a system of controlled environmental agriculture in which all aspects of the natural environment are modified for maximum plant growth and economic return.