Articles
Effect of a high transmittance film cover on agronomic and microclimatic plant parameters in a greenhouse tomato crop
Article number
1426_31
Pages
219 – 226
Language
English
Abstract
The increase of transmittance to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of the greenhouse cover improves photosynthetic activity and consequently can enhance crop yields.
The changes in the light reaching the crops could influence the microclimate inside the greenhouse and affect the development of the crop and some fungal diseases.
The main objective of this study was to compare a standard film cover with a high transmittance experimental film cover on growth, yield, fruit quality and microclimatic plant parameters of a tomato crop (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.). The experiment trial was carried out inside a multispan greenhouse located in the Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer “UAL-ANECOOP Foundation” in Almería (Spain). The naturally ventilated greenhouse (1800 m2) was divided transversely by a polyethylene sheet, creating two isolated sectors.
The experimental cover film (90% transmittance) was installed in the West sector while the standard film (85% transmittance) was located in the East sector.
On September 8, 2021, a tomato crop of cultivar ‘Ramyle’ was transplanted with a density of 1.2 plants m‑2. The use of experimental film cover increased PAR radiation by 6% (not statistically significant). Leaf temperature increased by 5.4% in plants grown under the experimental film in comparison to the standard film, with statistically significant differences.
The results of the tomato crop production show an increase in marketable and total yield of 0.21 kg m‑2 (+4.2%) and 0.15 kg m‑2 (+2.2%), respectively, in the West sector with experimental film cover.
No significant differences were observed in any of the plant growth parameters (length and thickness of the stem, number of nodes and length of internodes) or fruit quality (weight, fruit diameter, firmness, soluble solids content, dry matter and colour parameters).
The changes in the light reaching the crops could influence the microclimate inside the greenhouse and affect the development of the crop and some fungal diseases.
The main objective of this study was to compare a standard film cover with a high transmittance experimental film cover on growth, yield, fruit quality and microclimatic plant parameters of a tomato crop (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.). The experiment trial was carried out inside a multispan greenhouse located in the Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer “UAL-ANECOOP Foundation” in Almería (Spain). The naturally ventilated greenhouse (1800 m2) was divided transversely by a polyethylene sheet, creating two isolated sectors.
The experimental cover film (90% transmittance) was installed in the West sector while the standard film (85% transmittance) was located in the East sector.
On September 8, 2021, a tomato crop of cultivar ‘Ramyle’ was transplanted with a density of 1.2 plants m‑2. The use of experimental film cover increased PAR radiation by 6% (not statistically significant). Leaf temperature increased by 5.4% in plants grown under the experimental film in comparison to the standard film, with statistically significant differences.
The results of the tomato crop production show an increase in marketable and total yield of 0.21 kg m‑2 (+4.2%) and 0.15 kg m‑2 (+2.2%), respectively, in the West sector with experimental film cover.
No significant differences were observed in any of the plant growth parameters (length and thickness of the stem, number of nodes and length of internodes) or fruit quality (weight, fruit diameter, firmness, soluble solids content, dry matter and colour parameters).
Publication
Authors
M.A. Moreno-Teruel, F.D. Molina-Aiz, D.L. Valera, A. López-Martínez, F. Baptista
Keywords
protected crop, yield, PAR radiation, growth, fruit quality
Groups involved
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Working Group Nettings in Horticulture (subgroup of Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates)
- Working Group Light in Horticulture
- Working Group Organic Greenhouse Horticulture
- Working Group Vegetable Grafting
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Working Group Protected Cultivation, Nettings and Screens for Mild Climates
- Working Group Computational Fluid Dynamics in Agriculture
- Working Group Design and Automation in Integrated Indoor Production Systems
- Working Group Mechanization, Digitization, Sensing and Robotics
- Working Group Greenhouse Environment and Climate Control
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Working Group Vertical Farming
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