6.114 The relative humidity is kept at 60% (see Section VI.10.4). Plants can grow in this humidity though it is not as favorable as a greenhouse environment. A higher humidity in the fields would be desirable if the excess water could be removed before it reached the housing areas. VI.11.5: Food Production - Yields: Approximately 5% of the colony population is engaged in the production of food. Weeds and insects are virtually eliminated before the first seeds reach the colony by hand inspection and fumigation. Problems of this nature occurring after the crops are planted can be controlled by hand in this relatively small area and with the use of low toxicity insecticides such as pyrethrum and rotenone. Disease treatment needs more investigation. However, disease organisms often attack only a narrow range of hosts; variety of crops would help keep the danger down. Henson and Henson also suggest bees for cross-pollination, and a cat or two in the event of escaped laboratory rodents. Honey would be an extra benefit from the bees (6.4). If any large farm equipment is needed, the spacing of buildings permits access with the size of the docking port as the limiting factor. VI.11.5.1: Grain: Since no economic reasons have existed for researching grain yield under other-than-field conditions, it is difficult to estimate its qolony yield. A variety of data indicates that a figure of 150 g/m 2 -day dry weight, assuming that approximately 40% is ultimately harvested, is reasonable. Using this ratio, 16 m 2 should provide the desired 500 g/day for one person (6.4). VI.11.5.2: Fruits and Vegetables: On the other hand, greenhouse vegetable production has been well researched. Greenhouse yields for nongrains are commonly 3 times or more field yields per crop. Recent figures from Abu Dhabi using growing methods similar to those proposed here are: Tomatoes Cucumbers Cabbage Radishes 82 89 47 50 g/m 2 -day g/m 2 -day g/m 2 -day (6. 4) g/m 2 -day
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