Articles
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PLASTIC COVER FILMS ON THE PRODUCTION OF SOME VEGETABLE CROPS
Article number
614_63
Pages
421 – 425
Language
English
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse the behaviour of long-lasting plastic films that could age without adversely affecting crops.
These films may reduce planting costs and, above all, the amount of plastic to be recycled or disposed every year.
Optical properties of long-lasting films may vary differently depending on regional climatic conditions, so that it is of interest to evaluate how these films influence crops behaviour and how they age under contrasting climatic conditions throughout the year.
The research was carried out in Palermo, in the experimental fields of the Department A.C.E.P., from February 1996 till June 1997. During the first year three tunnels each covered with different plastic films were compared: Lungavita (PE with additives anti-UV and mineral compounds); Evalux (with ethilenvinilacetate) and Polyethylene (PE with additives anti-UV). In the first year, two different species (pepper and zucchini) were cultivated under each tunnel, thus allowing comparison of the influence of films optical properties on the response of these crops.
Similarly, the second year three other tunnels were covered with new plastic films, so that the response of a string bean crop cultivated under these new tunnels was compared to that observed the same year under the tunnels covered with plastic in 1996. The plastic films used in this experiment showed different optical properties and mechanical characteristics and this, in turn, influenced crops growth and yield of pepper, zucchini and string bean.
Pepper gave the highest yields under Lungavita.
However, the films had no significant influence on the observed yield of zucchini and string bean, but the latter showed a lower productivity when grown under aged films.
These films may reduce planting costs and, above all, the amount of plastic to be recycled or disposed every year.
Optical properties of long-lasting films may vary differently depending on regional climatic conditions, so that it is of interest to evaluate how these films influence crops behaviour and how they age under contrasting climatic conditions throughout the year.
The research was carried out in Palermo, in the experimental fields of the Department A.C.E.P., from February 1996 till June 1997. During the first year three tunnels each covered with different plastic films were compared: Lungavita (PE with additives anti-UV and mineral compounds); Evalux (with ethilenvinilacetate) and Polyethylene (PE with additives anti-UV). In the first year, two different species (pepper and zucchini) were cultivated under each tunnel, thus allowing comparison of the influence of films optical properties on the response of these crops.
Similarly, the second year three other tunnels were covered with new plastic films, so that the response of a string bean crop cultivated under these new tunnels was compared to that observed the same year under the tunnels covered with plastic in 1996. The plastic films used in this experiment showed different optical properties and mechanical characteristics and this, in turn, influenced crops growth and yield of pepper, zucchini and string bean.
Pepper gave the highest yields under Lungavita.
However, the films had no significant influence on the observed yield of zucchini and string bean, but the latter showed a lower productivity when grown under aged films.
Publication
Authors
A. Miceli, F. D’Anna
Keywords
protected cultivation, greenhouse, polyethylene, zucchini, pepper, string bean
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