Articles
INFLUENCE OF TWO DIFFERENT THERMAL SCREEN MANAGEMENTS ON YIELD, QUALITY AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF A SOILLESS TOMATO CULTURE
Article number
952_10
Pages
97 – 102
Language
English
Abstract
The use of thermal and shading screens in a greenhouse can provide a significant saving of energy.
This study aimed to test two screen management procedures and to measure their impact on the energy saving, quality and fruit yield.
The trials were carried out during the seasons 2009 and 2010 in two 358 m2 greenhouses located in Switzerland.
The greenhouses were equipped with two screens: a thermal one (SLS 10 Ultra Plus by Svensson) and a aluminised one (shading screen, XLS 15 Firebreak by Svensson). In a first greenhouse, the shading screen was removed half an hour after sunrise and the thermal one, one hour after sunrise if the outside temperature was higher than 5°C and if the light intensity was higher than 3 klux (TEST MANAGEMENT). In a second greenhouse, both screens were opened at sunrise (CONTROL MANAGEMENT). In each greenhouse, a soilless tomato culture was observed during the seasons 2009 and 2010. During the season 2009, tomatoes Climberley, Komeet and Plaisance were planted on February 12th in coconut fiber substrate, at a density of 2.5 plants m-2. Thereafter shoots were selected to reach 2.8 stems m-2. In 2010, tomatoes Climberley and Komeet were planted on February 9th, at the same density.
The energy consumption was measured by thermal energy meter.
The test management allowed an energy saving of 23% for the 2009 season.
The 21th July 2010, the energy saving in the greenhouse with the test management achieved 27%. No significant incidence on yield and on analytical quality of tomatoes was noted.
The results confirm that screen management can allow energy saving without negative impact on the amount and quality of the yield.
This study aimed to test two screen management procedures and to measure their impact on the energy saving, quality and fruit yield.
The trials were carried out during the seasons 2009 and 2010 in two 358 m2 greenhouses located in Switzerland.
The greenhouses were equipped with two screens: a thermal one (SLS 10 Ultra Plus by Svensson) and a aluminised one (shading screen, XLS 15 Firebreak by Svensson). In a first greenhouse, the shading screen was removed half an hour after sunrise and the thermal one, one hour after sunrise if the outside temperature was higher than 5°C and if the light intensity was higher than 3 klux (TEST MANAGEMENT). In a second greenhouse, both screens were opened at sunrise (CONTROL MANAGEMENT). In each greenhouse, a soilless tomato culture was observed during the seasons 2009 and 2010. During the season 2009, tomatoes Climberley, Komeet and Plaisance were planted on February 12th in coconut fiber substrate, at a density of 2.5 plants m-2. Thereafter shoots were selected to reach 2.8 stems m-2. In 2010, tomatoes Climberley and Komeet were planted on February 9th, at the same density.
The energy consumption was measured by thermal energy meter.
The test management allowed an energy saving of 23% for the 2009 season.
The 21th July 2010, the energy saving in the greenhouse with the test management achieved 27%. No significant incidence on yield and on analytical quality of tomatoes was noted.
The results confirm that screen management can allow energy saving without negative impact on the amount and quality of the yield.
Authors
C. Gilli , C. Camps
Keywords
energy saving, glasshouse
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