Abstract
In this study, we evaluated crop productivity and physiology during the hydroponic cultivation of medium-sized and cherry tomato crops, using two experimental greenhouses. Of the greenhouses, one used dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) technology for covering material, whilst the other, a conventional one (CONV), was covered using diffusion glass as a control. The effect of the colored lighting that resulted from the DSSC glass filtering on the physiological response of the crops was examined by measuring the plant transpiration rate and leaf chlorophyll content. Furthermore, we evaluated potential differences in the concentration of phytochemical compounds, such as ascorbic acid, lycopene, and quality characteristics. Tomato plants in the DSSC greenhouse presented lower early and total yields, as well as lower chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate values, especially in the medium-sized fruits, as compared to the CONV greenhouse. The DSSC greenhouse showed significantly higher values of bioactive compounds for both the cherry and medium-sized tomato, with increases in the ascorbic acid, lycopene, β-carotene, and total carotenoids concentration, which ranged from 6% to 26%. Finally, for both the hybrids, the 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) tests showed circa 10% and 5% increase, respectively, in the DSSC greenhouse.
Highlights
Across the world, controlled environment agricultural systems function as a dynamic production process
Data concerning crop productivity and physiology were obtained through the hydroponic cultivation of tomato crops in two experimental greenhouses, one using the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) technology as covering material and a conventional one covered by glass as a control
The early yield and average fruit weight of the medium-sized tomato (MST) were affected by the DSSC greenhouse, but not the cherry tomato (ChT)
Summary
Across the world, controlled environment agricultural systems function as a dynamic production process. Such systems provide shelter for the crops against the direct influence of external weather conditions, and they offer the opportunity to modify the indoor climate to create an environment that is optimal for crop growth and production, both in terms of quality and quantity [1,2]. There is a significant need for energy cost reduction, since energy constitutes a substantial fraction of the total production costs. In Mediterranean countries, energy consumption for control of environmental conditions constitutes approximately 20–30% of the total production costs, with a higher percentage in the northern countries. Due to the rising interest in climate change and greenhouse gas Horticulturae 2019, 5, 42; doi:10.3390/horticulturae5020042 www.mdpi.com/journal/horticulturae
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