THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF CHERRY TOMATOES IN NET COVERED GREENHOUSES

Covering the greenhouse structure with nets (screens) is increasing for fruit vegetables production during the spring and summer seasons in the highlands of southern Spain.
A two-year study was conducted in CIFA (Agricultural Research and Development Centre, Granada, Spain) to characterise the microclimate and quantify the growth and yield of cherry tomatoes grown under this type of protection.
Two types of nets (screens) were used, clear (A) and green coloured (B). The microclimates were similar under both nets, with mean values of global radiation transmission of around 60% and with slightly lower values of temperature and air humidity than in the open air.
No significant differences in high-quality yield were found with 2.72 (A) kg ^-2 and 3.17 (B) kg m^-2 in the first year (late planting cycle), while in the second year the yield reached 4.49 (A) kg m^-2 and 4.52 (B) kg m^-2.

International Symposium on Greenhouse Cooling

I. Romacho, O. Hita, T. Soriano, M.I. Morales, I. Escobar, E.M. Suarez-Rey, J. Hernandez, N. Castilla

Microclimate, shading, highland, coloured-screen

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2006.719.61