Tomato production in hydroponic system using different agrofilms as greenhouse cover

Abstract

Protected cultivation has increased over the years. More studies on the benefits of using photoselective agrofilms are necessary. The choice of material to cover the greenhouse is a decisive factor for crop development and production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diffuser and blue-colored agrofilms on the production of different tomato cultivars of indeterminate growth habit under NFT hydroponic system. A completely randomized design in a 2x3 factorial scheme (two environments and three cultivars) was used: two agrofilm types (blue and diffuser) and 3 cultivars (Monterrey, Arendell and Totalle). Each plot consisted of 30 plants per treatment, with four replicates. Commercial tomato seedlings of indeterminate growth habit grafted on rootstock cultivar (Shincheonggang) were used. During the experiment, the electrical conductivity, intensity of radiation inside the greenhouse, gas exchange, soluble solids, lycopene content, pH and fruit production were evaluated. We concluded that the amount of radiation transmitted through the diffuser favors an increase of about 18% in gas exchange, 12% in lycopene content and 9.4% in tomato crop production.

The Effect of Diffuse Film Covers on Microclimate and Growth and Production of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a Mediterranean Greenhouse

“…In the same way, the effect on cucumber productivity of new greenhouse covers with modified light regime was evaluated under eight high polytunnels (72 m 2 ), in comparison with several commercial covers as controls [51]. The effect of diffuser and blue-colored plastic cover films on the production of tomato crops was evaluated in two arch-detached type greenhouses of 225 m 2 [52]. The effect of two different covering materials, tempered glass and white polyethylene mesh, on solar irradiance was compared to open field (control) under real farming conditions.…”

“…Several works also investigate the degradation of the radiative properties of plastic films that was exposed for 12-13 months to Mediterranean [53] and arid climates [52,54]. These tests were carried up under greenhouse models of reduced sizes (2, 1 and 20 m 2 , respectively).…”

“…Greenhouse covers deteriorate rapidly and their optical performance decreases. Exposure of conventional film cover to arid climate agents for one year reduced spectral properties, increasing total radiation reflected and reducing transmittance to global solar radiation and PAR [52,[54][55][56].…”