[Variation of CO2 concentration in solar greenhouse in Northern China]

The variation of CO2 concentration in winter-spring cultivated solar greenhouse in northern China was studied. The diurnal change of CO2 concentration showed an irregular 'U' shape in most case, the maximum value appeared prior to unveiling straw mat in the morning, and the minimum between 12:00 and 14:00 PM. Sometimes, an irregular 'W' shape curve with two valleys was also observed, with the first one appeared prior to the ventilation at noon, and the second occurred between 15:00-16:30 PM. During the period of winter-spring cultivation, the daily maximum concentration of CO2 in solar greenhouse decreased gradually, while the daily minimum concentration and daytime average concentration dropped first, then went up. At the same time, the time of CO2 depletion lasted longer and longer. In December, CO2 depletion happened 2.1-3.1 hours after morning unveiling. In the next March, however, it moved up to 0.6-1.1 hours after unveiling in the morning. At daytime, both during and after ventilation, solar greenhouse often showed CO2 depletion. The period of CO2 depletion extended from 4-5.8 hours per day in December to 8-8.5 hours per day in March of next year. The spacial distribution of CO2 concentrations within the greenhouse showed that in the morning and in the evening, the order was the front > the middle > the back, and the ground > the canopy > the upper, and at midday, the order was the front < the middle < the back, and the ground > the upper > the canopy. Photon flux density was the most important environmental factor affecting CO2 concentration in greenhouse. Ventilation did not avoided CO2 depletion. Canopy photosynthetic rate and soil respiratory rate were measured at different growth stages of tomato. At seedling stage, CO2 concentration in greenhouse was higher than that outside, due to the vigorous soil respiration and lower canopy photosynthetic rate. But at fruiting stage, severe CO2 depletion occurred because of stronger canopy photosynthesis and weak soil respiration.