Development of semi-automatic control system for new shootings cuttage propagation facilities of blueberry

To overcome the difficulties in blueberry rapid propagation, a semi-control system was designed. This system used the natural cold ground water to regulate the environment factors accurately, including temperature, humidity and light intensity in hot weather. The results indicated that the temperature, relative humidity and the light intensity in the system was controlled in 20-35℃，80%-100% and 0-16.50 klx, respectively, and their control error was less than 0.15℃, 0.2% and 0.165klx, respectively. Compared to the traditional open field cottage, the period for new shootings rooting was shortened from 90 to 25 days, the rooting rate increased from 15% to 97%, the total seedling period was reduced from 9 to 3 months with this system, and rooting system of new shootings was improved greatly with this system. Compared to the culture propagation, the average cost of seedling was decreased by 90%. Compared with the traditional seedling hothouses and facilities with double plastic film, double sunshade net and spraying systems, cost of investment and labor were decreased significantly, the automation level was improved, and the ambient temperature of seedling was controlled below 35℃.