Gene A Giacomelli

Gene A Giacomelli

Professor, Agricultural-Biosystems Engineering
Professor, Applied BioSciences - GIDP
Professor, Plant Science
Professor, BIO5 Institute
Primary Department
Department Affiliations
Contact
(520) 626-9566

Work Summary

Gene Giacmomelli's research focus includes controlled environment plant productions systems [greenhouse and growth chamber] research, design, development and applications, with emphases on: crop production systems, nutrient delivery systems, environmental control, mechanization, and labor productivity.

Research Interest

Gene Giacomelli, PhD, is the director of the CEAC, or interdisciplinary education, research and outreach program for greenhouse and other advanced technology systems. Here at the University of Arizona, he teaches Controlled Environment Systems, which is an introduction to the technical aspects of greenhouse design, environmental control, nutrient delivery systems, hydroponic crop production, intensive field production systems, and post-harvest handling and storage of crops. His research interests include controlled environment plant productions systems (greenhouse and growth chamber) research, design, development and applications, with emphases on: crop production systems, nutrient delivery systems, environmental control, mechanization, and labor productivity.

Publications

Choi, C. Y., & Giacomelli, G. (1999). Freeze and frost protection with aqueous foam - Field experiments. HortTechnology, 9(4), 662-667.

Abstract:

Newly formulated aqueous foam was tested in the field. The foam demonstrated the longevity necessary for practical field use. Soil temperatures beneath an insulation layer of aqueous foam were measured to determine the effectiveness of foam as soil mulch. Leaf temperature within a canopy was monitored to observe the modification of plant leaf temperature, and to evaluate the phytotoxic effects of foam applied directly to the leaf canopy. Leaves were not damaged after being covered with the foam for two weeks. The foam-protected soil was effectively insulated, and the aqueous foam proved to be an effective radiation shield against the cold night sky. Temperature differences as high as 5 °C (9 °F) were measured between the foam-covered and uncovered copper metal plates, which were used to simulate plant leaves. The foam covered plates were ≃80% as effective as the aluminum foil covered plates in reducing radiation heat transfer.

Hayden, A. L., Brigham, L. A., & Giacomelli, G. A. (2004). Aeroponic cultivation of ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizomes. Acta Horticulturae, 659, 397-402.

Abstract:

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) rhizomes are popular as a spice and an herbal dietary supplement. The anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea qualities of ginger have applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Conventionally grown as a tropical field crop, ginger is plagued by soil-borne disease and nematode problems. Aeroponic cultivation of ginger can provide high-quality rhizomes that are free from pesticides and nematodes and can be produced in mild-winter greenhouses. An experiment involving 34 ginger plants grown in aeroponics was performed in a temperature controlled greenhouse in Tucson, Arizona. The unique aeroponic growing units incorporated a "rhizome compartment" separated and elevated above an aeroponic spray chamber. Bottom heat was supplied to one half of the plants. Accelerated growth was observed in plants receiving bottom heat. One third of the plants were grown in units where the rhizome compartment was filled with perlite, one third in sphagnum moss, and one third without any aggregate medium. Those plants grown in perlite matured faster than the other treatments. The aeroponic units without aggregate medium provided an opportunity to photograph the growth habit of rhizomes over a three month period. Those images were incorporated into a 60-second digital movie that dramatically illustrates how underground rhizomes develop and grow.

Patterson, R. L., Giacomelli, G. A., & Sadler, P. D. (2008). Resource and production model for the south pole food growth chamber. SAE Technical Papers.

Abstract:

NASA scientists have previously researched biomass production units for the purpose of bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS). The University of Arizona, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (UA-CEAC) in cooperation with Sadler Machine Company (SMC) designed, constructed and assisted real-time operations of the South Pole Food Growth Chamber (SPFGC). The SPFGC is a semi-automated, hydroponic, multiple salad crop production chamber located within the U.S. National Science Foundation New Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Fresh vegetables are grown for the Station crew during the annual eight-month period of isolation in one of the most extreme and remote environments on Earth. An empirical mathematical model was developed from data monitored onsite and remotely by Internet and telecommunications during the winter of 2006. The SPFGC model was based on a mass balance, whereby all carbon dioxide and water were monitored within the system and biomass generated by the crops was recorded. Edible production yields within the 21.90 m2 SPFGC Plant Production Room averaged 2.8 kg day-1 (± 1.0 kg day-1) with 12 kW of installed high intensity discharge lighting and a 17-hour photoperiod. Other operational resources were monitored including labor, energy, and plant nutrients. The data generated from the remote and isolated location of the SPFGC includes information for future BLSS applications. Copyright © 2008 SAE International.

Giacomelli, G. A., & Giniger, M. S. (1985). MICROCOMPUTER CONTROL OF WARM FLOOR HEATED GREENHOUSE.. ASAE Publication, 126-135.

Abstract:

An 11 by 15 meter free span, gutter connected, double polyethylene clad greenhouse was equipped with a porous concrete warm floor heating system. The warm floor heating system consisted of a 30 cm deep, vinyl swimming pool liner, filled with 20 cm of bluestone and capped with a 10 cm layer of porous concrete. It was filled with water to a depth of 20 cm and heated by a hot water boiler through a network of 1. 3 cm diameter pipes embedded within the bluestone. Supplemental heating was supplied by a water to air heat exchanger connected to the boiler. Cooling was achieved by forced air ventilation. There were three stages of ventilation with a maximum capacity of one air change per minute. This paper discusses tests conducted in the greenhouse, along with instrumentation hardware, the software program, and system operation.

Fang, W., Ting, K. C., & Giacomelli, G. A. (1990). Animated simulation of greenhouse internal transport using SIMAN/CINEMA. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 33(1), 336-340.

Abstract:

An animated computer model has been developed using a simulation language SIMAN/CINEMA to simulate greenhouse internal transport systems. The model can be used as a tool to study the performance of materials handling operations within a greenhouse. The potential bottleneck of a transport system can be visually detected on the computer monitor. Statistical analyses on the system parameters, such as the status and utilization of machines, workers and waiting lines, and throughput time of an operation, are performed during the simulation. From these data, the interaction between machines and workers within a greenhouse system can be studied.