Influence of the greenhouse type and cooling system on the production of a tomato crop during the spring/summer cycle under Mediterranean climate

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyse the behaviour of a Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Marenza' tomato crop in the spring/summer crop cycle during the season 2013 under two water evaporative cooling systems (fog and pad-fan) in comparison with natural ventilation, and two greenhouse structures (multispan and Almeria-type). In this work, different parameters were studied, including plant and fruit morphology, photosynthesis, production, water and electrical consumption, and microclimatic evaluation. Tests were performed in the Agricultural Research Station of the University of Almeria distributed in three multispan greenhouses and one Almeria-type greenhouse. Results show that there are statistically significant differences between the evaporative pad-fan greenhouse and the other two multispan greenhouses, with better quality of fruits (higher fruit diameter and firmness of the pulp and lower soluble solids content) obtained in the former. Production was similar in the three multispan greenhouses with different cooling systems. With regard to the structure type, no statistically significant differences was found in the fruit quality; however, differences in photosynthetic activity and production were registered, with better results in the multispan structure. Both water and electrical consumption were higher in the cooling-pad greenhouse, with the lowest growing temperatures also registered in this greenhouse.