Protected Cultivation
Greenhouse Sensor Placement & Data Quality
A greenhouse can contain large microclimate differences. Sensor location, shielding, calibration, response time, and maintenance determine whether data describe the crop or merely the sensor's immediate surroundings.
Key concepts
- Radiant heat can bias exposed temperature sensors
- Crop-height measurements are often more representative than ceiling measurements
- Multiple zones may require multiple sensors
- Calibration drift can turn precise-looking numbers into misleading data
What to measure or observe
- Map sensor height and location
- Compare two instruments side by side periodically
- Shield sensors from direct radiation when appropriate
- Review implausible sudden jumps before acting on them
Common mistakes
- Mounting the only sensor next to a heater, vent, door, or wet wall
- Never checking calibration
- Changing controls from one anomalous reading
- Assuming dashboard precision equals measurement accuracy
Visuals this lesson still needs
- Good-versus-bad sensor placement
- Greenhouse microclimate map
- Radiation-shield diagram
- Calibration-check workflow