HEATING AND CO₂ ENRICHMENT IN IMPROVED LOW-COST GREENHOUSES

Two levels of climate control: heating and heating with CO₂ enrichment, were compared with the conventional unheated control in improved low-cost greenhouses on the Mediterranean South Coast of Spain.
Their effect on the crop growth, yield and water efficiency were evaluated in a autumn-winter cucumber soilless crop.
The pure CO₂ was supplied linked to automatic vents operation: 600 µmol mol^-1 with closed windows and 350 µmol mol^-1 when these opened up.
Heating increased cucumber production (fruits per m²) mainly due to the shortening of the fruit growth period.
Yield was significantly increased by climate control, in a 25.9 and 24.3 % with the application of CO₂ enrichment and heating respectively and 56.4 % with both systems.
Similarly, the water supply efficiency was improved in a 28.7, 15.1 and 48.1 % respectively, for the CO₂ enrichment, heating and both systems.
Stem elongation and leaf production were enhanced by heating, whereas the CO₂ application increased leaf production before fruit set.

V International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Current Trends for Suistainable Technologies

M.C. Sánchez-Guerrero, P. Lorenzo, E. Medrano, M. García, I. Escobar

Cucumber, Cucumis sativus, plastic-house, temperature, carbon dioxide

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2001.559.38