Abstract
Real-time monitoring of substrate parameters in the root-zone through dielectric sensors is considered a promising and feasible approach for precision irrigation and fertilization management of greenhouse soilless vegetable crops. This research investigates the effects of timer-based (TIMER) compared with dielectric sensor-based irrigation management with different irrigation set-points [SENSOR_0.35, SENSOR_0.30 and SENSOR_0.25, corresponding to substrate volumetric water contents (VWC) of 0.35, 0.30 and 0.25 m3 m−3, respectively] on water use, crop performance, plant growth and physiology, product quality and post-harvest parameters of soilless green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv Maestrale). In SENSOR treatments, an automatic system managed irrigation in order to maintain substrate moisture constantly close to the specific irrigation set-point. The highest water amount was used in TIMER treatment, with a water saving of roughly 36%, 41% and 47% in SENSOR_0.35, SENSOR_0.30 and SENSOR_0.25, respectively. In TIMER, the leaching rate was ≈31% of the total water consumption, while little leaching (<10%) was observed in SENSOR treatments. TIMER and SENSOR_0.35 resulted in similar plant growth and yield, while irrigation set-points corresponding to lower VWC values (SENSOR_0.30 and SENSOR_0.25) resulted in inadequate water availability conditions and impaired the crop performance. The study confirms that rational sensor-based irrigation allows to save water without compromising anyhow the product quality. In SENSOR irrigation management, in fact, especially in the case of optimal water availability conditions, it was possible to obtain high quality pods, with fully satisfactory characteristics during storage at 7 °C for 15 days.
Highlights
The need to optimize irrigation management for enhanced water productivity and reduced contamination of water bodies in European greenhouse vegetable crops is under the spotlight [1]
Results obtained by the two multifactor ANOVA showed that the storage time significantly influenced all sensory parameters, while the visual quality was statistically affected by the interaction of the two factors considered (Table 3); in addition, only the texture was significantly influenced by all factors
No significant change was observed until the 8th day for this parameter; a slight decrease was detected at the end of storage, showing green beans more yellowish than those at harvest (Table 4)
Summary
The need to optimize irrigation management for enhanced water productivity and reduced contamination of water bodies in European greenhouse vegetable crops is under the spotlight [1]. It is reported that consumers are attentive to the sustainability of the vegetable production process, more than in other agri-food sectors, as an important issue influencing their perception of quality [2]. In this context, soilless cultivation can boost intensive cropping systems with the possibility to achieve extremely high water and fertilizers use efficiency, beside high yield and quality. Optimal irrigation management aimed to rational use of water and fertilizers and excess leaching prevention is a key-factor for efficient use of resources and reduced environmental impact of soilless culture [3]. Timer-schedule is generally set with the main concern to prevent drought stress, so water is commonly applied in excess, generally resulting in possible waterlogging detrimental effects on plants, excessive leaching and runoff (30–40%), with negative effects on water use efficiency (WUE), operational costs and surface and groundwater contamination [3,4]
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