Improved root zone temperature buffer capacity enhancing sweet pepper yield via soil-ridged substrate-embedded cultivation in solar greenhouse

Abstract

A novel soilless cultivation method, called as soil-ridged substrate-embedded cultivation (SSC) was invented, and an experiment was designed to investigate root zone temperature and production efficiency of sweet pepper cultivated by two SSC patterns, i.e., SSC-P (polyethylene groove inserted) and SSC-W (wire-mesh groove inserted), and also other two cultivation methods, i.e., soil ridge (SR) and naked polyethylene groove (PG). Results showed that PG, SSC-P and SSC-W increased the average minimal root zone temperature by 1.01°C, 0.75°C, and 1.16°C compared to SR (16.33°C) during March 16-20, 2015. During June 1-5, SSC-P and SSC-W decreased the average maximal root zone temperature by 1.28°C and 1.29°C compared to SR (34.99°C), while PG increased it by 1.44°C. PG, SSC-P, and SSC-W decreased the differences of average daytime and night time temperatures by 1.34°C, 2.13°C, and 2.88°C compared to SR (4.56°C) during early stage. However, SSC-P and SSC-W decreased temperature differences of average daytime and night time by 0.9°C and 1.07°C compared to SR (0.95°C) during later stage, but PG improved by 2.85°C. Temperature difference of daytime and night time of SSC-W was minimal, and the temperature difference between the diurnal highest and the lowest temperature of SSC-W was also minimal. The buffer capacity of SSC-W was slightly better than that of SSC-P. SSC-W significantly improved the growth of sweet pepper compared to SR. Similarly, fruit yield per square meter of sweet pepper cultivated on SSC-P and SSC-W improved by 21.24% and 50.33%, respectively compared to SR (3.06 kg/m 2 ), while PG lowered the yield by 13.72%. SSC-W was a better SSC pattern compared with SSC-P in terms of production efficiency.

Biochar and DMPP Regulated Root-Zone CO2, N2O and CH4 Emissions of Soil-Ridged/Substrate-Embedded Cultivation Sweet Pepper in Chinese Solar Greenhouse

“…Construct an SSC ridge through the following steps. SSC ridge structure and seedlings plant were described by Fu et al [13] as follows: specially made grooves of wire-mesh within a placed plastic film all-embracing substrate were inserted trimly on the ground with the north-south direction and subsequently was filled with homogeneous peat matrix, perlite, and vermiculite along with a volume ratio of 2:1:1. Moreover, in order to enhance the capacity of the buffer attributed to the root-zone temperature, the soil was stacked up and piled with considering both sides of the ridge related to the particular grooves of wire-mesh.…”

“…While the GWP was not significantly affected by SSC-B25% and SSC-DMPP as compared with the SSC treatment. SSC is a novel substrate cultivation method for fruit and vegetable production in CSG with significant practical advantages that can solve a series of environmental problems caused by the production of fruits and vegetables [13] . Compared with SC treatment, that of SSC improved the yield of peppers by 10.99%, although it did not facilitate the growth of plants.…”

“…To overcome this issue, Fu et al [12] invented a novel substrate-cultivation method, called as soil-ridged/substrate-embedded cultivation (SSC), to substitute for soil cultivation. SSC combines the best features of the root-zone temperature buffer capacity of soil cultivation and the high-yield performance of soilless cultivation [13] . Moreover, drip irrigation techniques and custom-made grooves with inserted plastic film were used to accurately control the amount and fates of water and fertilizer, preventing the downward leaching of nutrients.…”

Gobi agriculture: an innovative farming system that increases energy and water use efficiencies. A review

“…The waste materials represent an alternative to commercial media used in conventional greenhouse production. To qualify as a substrate for Gobi land cultivation, organic materials must have the following characteristics (Fu et al 2018;Fu and Liu 2016;Fu et al 2017;Ling et al 2015;Song et al 2013): (i) low bulk density, high porosity, and high water-holding capacity; (ii) high cation exchange capacity and mineral nutrient content, and appropriate pH and EC; (iii) enhanced enzyme activity, usually accomplished by adding proper microorganism strains; (iv) slow degradation rate; and (v) be free of weed seeds and soilborne pathogens. The material type, processing method, degree of decomposition, and climatic conditions under which the substrates are produced may influence the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the organic material and, thus, substrate quality (Fu et al 2017;Song et al 2013).…”

Estimation of genetic merit of diallel hybrids of sweet pepper by mixed models

“…Palavras-chave: Capsicum annuum, capacidade geral de combinação, cultivo hidropônico, REML/BLUP. viable market niche, besides keeping the supply of the product throughout the year with yields of more than 3 kg per plant (FU et al, 2018). CHARLO et al (2009) stated that bout sweet pepper hybrids in a protected environment with hydroponic system are still scarce.…”