Abstract
Inexpensive plastic covered greenhouse structures of the type used by the horticulture industry for plant production are frequently used. We have developed “selective film” with the following properties: transmit the visible light portion of the solar radiation spectrum, the only portion utilized by plants for photosynthesis; absorb the small amount of ultraviolet radiation in the spectrum and cause some of it to fluoresce into visible light, useful to plants, absorb infrared radiation , which plants cannot use and which cause greenhouse interiors to overheat. Plant growth inside the experimental greenhouses covered with photoselective films were compared with plants grown inside growth chambers covered with clear conventional greenhouse films. The results are summarized in the paper. Keywords : greenhouses, photoselective film, plasticulture, solar radiation