CROPPING CYCLES AND CULTURAL PRACTICES OF PROTECTED CULTIVATION OF SOLANACEA IN PORTUGAL

The two major areas of protected cultivation of solanacea are located in the Algarve (600 ha) and in the West near Torres Vedras (200 ha). Tomato is the most important crop in both regions.
Sweetpepper and eggplant are only produced in the Algarve and in small amounts.

As a result of climatic differences between those two regions the cropping cycles and the timing of production are also different.
The Algarve have mainly winter crops (Oct – May) while in the West tomato is a Spring-Summer or Autumn crop, there being a break during the coldest months.

Some figures are presented in relation with yields and the length of planting – fruiting period with the time of the year and the region.

Cultural practices are similar in both regions, as well as, the most used cultivars of tomato: Dombito, Carmello, Bufalo, Ultra Boy, Dombello; sweetpepper: Lamuyo; eggplant: Bónica.

Important aspects are: the influence of greenhouse environment, on behaviour and phytossanitary control, new tecnologies to reduce the effect of low night temperature.

Symposium on Protected Cultivation of Solanacea in Mild Winter Climates

A. Marreiros, J. Barrote, A. Monteiro, A. Canha

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.191.7