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Optimizing Nighttime Warming for Solar Greenhouse Cucumber: An Integrated Bio-Economic Framework Combining Non-Linear Cost–Volume–Profit and Data Envelopment Analysis

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  • Hui Xu

    (College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
    Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
    National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang 110866, China)

  • Ru Yang

    (College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
    Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
    National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang 110866, China)

  • Qichao Yan

    (College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China)

  • Zhulin Li

    (College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
    Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
    National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang 110866, China)

  • Jinfu Li

    (College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China)

  • Juanjuan Ding

    (College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
    Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
    National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang 110866, China)

  • Tianlai Li

    (College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
    Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
    National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang 110866, China)

Abstract

High energy consumption in winter greenhouses poses a challenge to agricultural sustainability in Northern China, where heating costs typically account for 40–60% of total operating expenses. This study integrated a non-linear cost–volume–profit (CVP) analysis and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to balance cucumber yields with escalating energy costs. A single-season, single-factor experiment was conducted using insulated greenhouse compartments to evaluate four night temperature gradients (10 °C, 13 °C, 16 °C, and 19 °C). Results showed that although the 19 °C treatment (T3) achieved the highest marketable yield, it was associated with lower economic return because heating costs increased disproportionately. Among the four tested nighttime temperatures, the 16 °C treatment (T2) showed the most favorable observed combination of yield, net profit, and DEA-based efficiency indicators under the present experimental conditions. However, because the experiment was conducted in a single season within a compartment-based greenhouse system and the CVP relationship was fitted using treatment-level means, this result should be interpreted as a preliminary and condition-specific finding rather than as definitive evidence of a universal optimum temperature. Accordingly, the integrated bio-economic framework presented here is best viewed as an analytical prototype that merits further validation across multiple seasons, cultivars, and greenhouse systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Hui Xu & Ru Yang & Qichao Yan & Zhulin Li & Jinfu Li & Juanjuan Ding & Tianlai Li, 2026. "Optimizing Nighttime Warming for Solar Greenhouse Cucumber: An Integrated Bio-Economic Framework Combining Non-Linear Cost–Volume–Profit and Data Envelopment Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:8:p:3817-:d:1918487
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