Development of a root-zone temperature control system using air-source heat pump and its impact on the growth and yield of paprika

• Published in: AoB plants 2024-10, Vol.16 (5), p.plae047
• Main Authors: Myung, Jeesang, Cui, Meiyan, Lee, Byungkwan, Lee, Hyein, Shin, Jaewook, Chun, Changhoo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Studies
• ISSN: 2041-2851; 2041-2851
• DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plae047

Abstract By developing and implementing a local temperature control system, such as a root zone, with a high energy efficiency heat source, we can ensure both yield and energy efficiency against extreme temperatures. This system, designed with practicality in mind, has a remarkably positive impact on paprika plants’ growth and yield in greenhouse cultivation. In the summer season, paprika plants were grown with no cooling, nutrient solution cooling (NSC) and the combination of NSC and substrate surround cooling (SSC) (NSC + SSC). In the case of SSC, cooled water circulated through the pipe surrounding the substrate to lower the substrate temperature. The cooling system maintains the nutrient solution temperature at 18 °C and the circulating water temperature at the system in the winter season; the paprika plants were grown with no heating (NH), nutrient solution heating (NSH) and the combination of NSH and substrate surround heating (SSH) (NSH + SSH). The heating system maintains the nutrient solution temperature at 25 °C and the circulating water temperature at 30 °C. In the summer, the root fresh and dry weights, stem fresh and dry weights, stem length and node number were increased in the NSC + SSC. In the winter season, the stem fresh and dry weights, leaf area and leaf fresh and dry weights were increased in the NSH + SSH. In both seasons, root-zone temperature control increased the fruit quality and yield. The result indicates that this easy-to-install root-zone temperature control system can be applied to the commercial greenhouse to secure paprika growth and yield in year-round cultivation. The root-zone temperature control system, which uses the high energy efficiency heat source, the air-source heat pump, was developed in this research. The developed root-zone temperature control system can be easily applied to the commercial greenhouse and used to counteract the extreme temperature of the summer and winter seasons, respectively. The control of the root-zone temperature can secure paprika growth and yield in year-round cultivation by increasing nutrient uptake and decreasing temperature stress.