ENERGY INPUT IN A COLD GREENHOUSE TOMATO CULTIVATION IN MILD WINTER CLIMATE

Results of a research carried out to quantify the energy input in a cold greenhouse tomato cultivation are reported.

Data were directly collected in Sicily (37°North) from a cultivation representing a normal cropping condition as far as greenhouse characteristics and growing practices are concerned.

The results show that energy input per unit of surface area (equal to about 83 MJ/m2, of which 56 were to set up the greenhouse and 27 to grow the crop), is up to 20 times higher than the one normally required in open tomato cultivation; on the other hand the values calculated are from 10 to 15 times lower than the ones reported in a normal heated greenhouse cultivation.

Symposium on Protected Cultivation of Solanacea in Mild Winter Climates

G. La Malfa, A. Ruggeri, S. Misseri, G. Signorello

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.191.31