Effects of greenhouse cooling method on growth, fruit yield and quality of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a tropical climate

• Published in: Scientia horticulturae 2009-09, Vol.122 (2), p.179-186
• Main Authors: Max, Johannes F.J., Horst, Walter J., Mutwiwa, Urbanus N., Tantau, Hans-Jürgen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: abnormal development; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; air temperature; Biological and medical sciences; Blossom-end rot; Calcium deficiency; cooling systems; crop production; crop quality; crop yield; environmental control systems; Fan and pad cooling; fans; Fruit cracking; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; greenhouse production; Heat stress; mechanical ventilation; Natural ventilation; Nutrient uptake; pad cooling system; plant damage; plant development; plant growth; plastic film; polyethylene; Protected cultivation; relative humidity; roof vents; Soilless cultures. Protected cultivation; Solanum lycopersicum var. lycopersicum; tomatoes; transpiration; tropics; Water balance
• ISSN: 0304-4238; 1879-1018
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2009.05.007

A tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop was grown in four greenhouses during the dry season 2005/06 in Central Thailand. Sidewalls and roof vents of two greenhouses were covered with nets and these greenhouses were mechanically ventilated when air temperature exceeded 30 °C (NET). The other two greenhouses were covered with polyethylene film and equipped with a fan and pad cooling system (EVAP). Overall mean air temperature was significantly reduced by 2.6 and 3.2 °C (day) and 1.2 and 2.3 °C (night) in EVAP as compared to NET and outside air, respectively. Temperature maxima in EVAP averaged about 4 °C lower than in NET and outside. The relative humidity was around 20 and 30% (day) and 10 and 15% (night) higher in EVAP than in NET or outside, respectively. Vapour pressure deficit averaged 0.25 kPa in EVAP, 1.03 kPa in NET and 1.48 kPa outside. The crop water-consumption was significantly lower in EVAP (1.2) than in NET (1.8 L plant −1 day −1), which is ascribed to reduced transpiration in EVAP. Total fruit yield was similar in NET (6.4 kg plant −1) and EVAP (6.3 kg plant −1). The quantity of undersized (mostly parthenocarpic) and blossom-end rot (BER)-affected fruits was reduced in EVAP. However, the proportion of marketable yield was significantly higher in NET (4.5 kg plant −1) than in EVAP (3.8 kg plant −1), owing largely to an increased incidence of fruit cracking (FC) in EVAP. Higher FC but lower BER incidence coincided with higher fresh weight and Ca concentration in the fruits in EVAP. It is concluded that in regions with high atmospheric relative humidity evaporative cooling without technical modifications allowing dehumidification will not improve protected tomato production.