Photosynthetically active radiation in strawberry produced in stair-like containers

Federico Velasco-López,Alfonso Vasquez-López,Cirenio Escamirosa-Tinoco,Isidro Morales,Gabino A Martínez-Gutiérrez

doi:10.1590/s0102-053620200101

Federico Velasco-López, Alfonso Vasquez-López + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-053620200101

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Journal: Horticultura Brasileira	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2020
Citations: 2	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Instituto Politécnico Nacional

Abstract

ABSTRACT In intensive hydroponic systems, such vertical and pyramidal systems, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and integrated (IPAR) may be intercepted by the containers and the leaf area of the plants grown in the upper strata, decreasing fruit yields and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of PAR and IPAR at different planting heights and the effect of geographic orientation and fruit yield and quality of strawberry produced in stair-like containers. The factors were four heights of the container (0.20, 0.50, 0.80 and 1.10 m) and two orientations (east and west). At each height and orientation of the container, PAR and IPAR, yield and fruit total soluble solids were measured. PAR and IPAR were statistically different at all heights evaluated and were highest in the highest containers. The east and west orientation of the containers was significantly different in the morning and in the afternoon for PAR and IPAR, while daily average values were equal. Yield on average was 47% higher in plants cultivated in containers at heights of 0.50, 0.80 and 1.10 m, relative to those in 0.20 m high containers. Fruits grown in the highest containers had higher values of total soluble solids.

Highlights

Em sistemas de cultivo hidropônico intensivos, como os verticais e piramidais, a radiação fotossinteticamente ativa (PAR) e integrada (RFAI) podem diminuir ao longo dos recipientes de cultivo e do dossel das plantas localizados nos estratos mais inferiores, diminuindo a produtividade e a qualidade dos frutos
Each plant species has an optimal range of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) that maximizes photosynthesis and growth
Photosynthetic efficiency is higher with low levels of radiation (Norman & Arkebauer, 1991) because the leaves become saturated with radiation when they are exposed to direct sunlight

Summary

Introduction

Em sistemas de cultivo hidropônico intensivos, como os verticais e piramidais, a radiação fotossinteticamente ativa (PAR) e integrada (RFAI) podem diminuir ao longo dos recipientes de cultivo e do dossel das plantas localizados nos estratos mais inferiores, diminuindo a produtividade e a qualidade dos frutos. In tall horticultural species, such as tomato (L. esculentum), pyramid and stair-like systems have been used (Sánchez-del-Castillo et al, 2009) with which high yields have been obtained In these systems, plants grown in the upper canopies achieved higher yields than those grown in the lower canopies (Sánchez-del-Castillo et al, 2014) because they received more PAR. In vertical systems the upper canopies use a part of the incident radiation; the rest passes unintercepted through the holes in the canopy and reaches the ground (López-Lozano et al, 2007) or through spaces with no leaves or stems. These spaces can be up to 40% (España-Boquera et al, 2015). This space is useful in stair-like containers with strawberries since it allows direct solar radiation to reach the lower canopies, which make use of diffused radiation that can reach up to 30% (Higashide, 2008)

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