Effect of aluminized screens on greenhouse tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production systems at the high tropical conditions
Autor
Gil, Rodrigo
Luque, Nadia Yurani
Bojacá, Carlos Ricardo
Institución
Resumen
Currently, Colombia has 3,390 ha cultivated with tomato under greenhouse conditions characterized by their low level of
climate control. In areas where low night temperatures limit tomato production, we evaluated the effect of aluminized screens
on the production of the crop. This work was conducted in
two greenhouses planted with tomato in Susa and Chía (Cundinamarca). Each greenhouse was divided in two sections, one
half covered with the screen and the other not. Screens at both
locations were closed between 5:00 pm and 6:00 am. Inside each
greenhouse section, temperature (T, °C) and relative humidity
(HR, %) were recorded during the production cycle, as well as
the external climate conditions. The effect of aluminized screens
on tomato production was compared against the simulation
output of the tomato potential growth model “Tomgro”. In both
locations the covered section with the screen yielded the highest
temperatures during the night. At Chia, the night temperature
increase due to the screen effect was 1.5±0.10°C, while in Susa
the temperature increase was 1.1±0.1°C. Recorded yield under
the screened sections showed increments of 6.6% (Chia) and
3.3% (Susa). Simulation results suggest that yield increments of
about 15.7 and 13.6% are achievable under potential conditions
in Chia and Susa, respectively. The use of thermal screens during night hours helps to retain heat, which in turn is reflected
in production increments.