Protected Cultivation Systems Research Articles

PROTECTED CULTIVATION OF PLUM IN SOUTH CENTRAL LIAONING: PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Inspired by the protected vegetable production methods in south central Liaoning, which was the cradle of Chinese greenhouse vegetable production in, protected fruit production began to flourish approximately twenty years ago. Protected fruit culture first occurred in Liaoning and then it extended to north central China, mainly to advance the time of ripening to meet the demand of off-season fruit consumption. The main fruits that were grown were the perishable fruit types such as stone fruits and berry fruits, including peach, cherry, apricot, plum and table grape. Table grape and peach were relatively easy to cultivate in protected conditions since the growth of grapevines or peach trees is easy to control and fruit set readily occurs, while plum, apricot and cherry tree are more difficult to work with. The purpose of this paper is to describe the growing technology of the protected plum cultivation system including the greenhouse structure, cultivar selection, the methods of forcing dormancy, heating the greenhouse etc. The present status and future perspectives of this system are also discussed.

Bioagents and Commercial Algae Products as Integrated Biocide Treatments for Controlling Root Rot Diseases of Some Vegetables under Protected Cultivation System

Integrated commercial blue-green algae extracts and bioagents treatments against vegetables root rot incidence when used as soil drench under greenhouse and plastic house conditions were evaluated. All applied treatments reduced significantly root rot incidence at both pre- and postemergence growth stages of cucumber, cantaloupe, tomato, and pepper plants compared with untreated check control. In pot experiment, the obtained results showed that treatments ofTrichoderma harzianumorBacillus subtiliseither alone or combined with commercial algae extracts were significantly superior for reducing root rot disease for two tested vegetable plants compared with the other tested treatments as well as control. It is also observed that rising concentrations of either algae products, Oligo-X or Weed-Max, were reflected in more disease reduction. Promising treatments for controlling root rot disease incidence were applied under plastic houses conditions. As for field trails carried out under plastic houses conditions at different locations, the obtained results revealed that the applied combined treatments significantly reduced root rot incidence compared with fungicide and check control treatments. At all locations it was observed that Weed-Max (2 g/L) +Bacillus subtilissignificantly reduced disease incidence of grown vegetables compared with Oligo-X (2 mL/L) +Trichoderma harzianumtreatments. An obvious yield increase in all treatments was significantly higher than in the control. Also, the harvested yield in applied combined treatments at all locations was significantly higher than that in the fungicide and control treatments.

Biological and Chemical Resistance Inducers Approaches for Controlling Foliar Diseases of Some Vegetables under Protected Cultivation System

Different alternative approaches of antagonistic bio-agents, Trichoderma harzianum, T. Viride, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas flourescens and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and plant resistance inducers, Calcium chloride, Potassium monohydrogen phosphate, Potassium bicarbonate, Saccharin, Ascorbic acid, Chitosan and Humic & Folic acid (mixture) in addition to thyme oil were applied as plant spray to evaluate their efficacy against vegetables foliar diseases incidence was carried under open greenhouse conditions. The recorded foliar diseases, i.e. Powdery, Downy mildews of Cucumber, Cantaloupe and Pepper as well as Early, Late blights of Tomato were significantly reduced at all treatments either alone or in combinations comparing with untreated plants. Application with either T. harzianum or B. subtilis showed significant reduction in diseases incidence comparing with the other applied bio-agents. The other bio-agent treatments, T. viride, P. fluorescens and S. cerevisiae recorded moderate reduction in this concern. Under artificial infestation the most significant reduction in foliar diseases incidence and severity of tested vegetables were recorded in combined treatments of combined chemical inducers and S. cerevisiae, i.e. (Chitosan+Thyme oil); (Chitosan+Saccharin); (Chitosan+Calcium chloride+S. cerevisiae); (Chitosan+Potassium monohydrogen phosphate); (Saccharin+Potassium monohydrogen phosphate); (Humic & folic+Thyme oil) and (Chitosan+S. cerevisiae) comparing with other applied treatments as well as untreated control. The present review summarizes studies aimed to evaluate different control measures of fungicides alternatives approachs, e.g. some plant resistance inducers, essential oils and bio-control agents on the foliar diseases incidence of some vegetables under greenhouse and plastic house conditions. This work was carried out during a project supported by the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF), Egypt.

MODEL-BASED DESIGN OF PROTECTED CULTIVATION SYSTEMS - FIRST RESULTS AND REMAINING CHALLENGES

Abstract: Protected cultivation systems are used throughout the world as a powerful instrument to produce crops. They protect the crops from unfavorable outdoor climate conditions and pests and 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. A quick scan of protected cultivation systems presently in use reveals that quite a variety of protected cultivation systems can be found throughout the world. They range from fully passive “solar greenhouses” with thick energy storage walls as found in China to the high-tech “closed greenhouses” in Western Europe. This variety is due to local conditions, including the local climate, the availability of resources like water, energy, capital, labor and materials, local legislation and social aspects, to mention a few. This paper presents a methodology of a model based method for designing protected cultivation systems. First results will be reported as well as directions for future research.

RECENT TRENDS IN PROTECTED CULTIVATIONS-MICROCLIMATE STUDIES: A REVIEW

New constraints' for agricultural production also apply to protected cultivations’. A sustainable production of fruits, vegetables and ornamentals is now requested, with lower environmental impacts, particularly less energy, pesticides and mineral pollution and better production’s quality. Exploring or revisiting the new climate-crop relationships induced by these novel production constraints is required. A high quality production of vegetables and ornamentals under cover with less energy, water, fertilizers and pesticides call for a precise comprehension of the climatic determinism of (i) plant functioning but also of (ii) the interactions between the aerial and root zones of the plants and (iii) the climatic interactions between the various biotic agents living in the greenhouse (crops, bio-aggressors and bio-control agents). In view of these approaches, substantial advances have been observed with respect to the exploration of the distributed greenhouse climate but also plant activity using both wireless sensors and geostatistical methods. They are completed by also substantial progresses in Computer Fluid Dynamics (CFD) assisted characterization of the phenomena occurring in greenhouses. The studies about the crop-climate relationships induced by the new energy saving techniques are first reviewed. They indicated that the consequences of high inside air confinement, as in closed or semi closed greenhouses, on inside air humidity and CO2 content are very important and their consequences are analyzed in terms of crop photosynthesis and transpiration. Also, crop-climate relationships are reviewed for the new simple protected cultivation systems, such as the screenhouses, which develop rapidly in tropical and inter-tropical regions. The interactions between the aerial climate and the root zone are also evaluated with respect to the requested minimization of water and nitrogen’s leakages for both soilless and in-soil cultivations. More generally, the climatic dependences of other organisms than cropped plants present in the shelters, such as bio-aggressors and bio-control agents which can help saving pesticides, have been reviewed.

Application of Fungicides Alternatives as Seed Treatment for Controlling Root Rot of Some Vegetables in Pot Experiments

Different root rot fungi, <i>Alternaria solani Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, Macrophomina phaseolina </i>and<i> Pythium </i>sp<i>.</i> were isolated from various vegetables, <i>i.e</i>. Cucumber, Cantaloupe, Tomato and Pepper grown in plastic houses under protected cultivation system and showing root rot and or damping-off disease symptoms. The tested antagonistic fungi were <i>Trichoderma</i> <i>harzianum</i>, <i>T</i>. <i>Viride </i>and<i> T. hamatum, </i><i>B</i><i>acillus</i><i> subtilis, P</i><i>se</i><i>u</i><i>domonas</i><i> </i><i>fluorescens</i> and <i>S</i><i>accha</i><i>romyces</i><i> </i><i>cerevisiae</i>. The efficacy of Calcium chloride, Thyme oil and /or bio-agents as seed dressing against disease incidence was evaluated in pot experiments under artificially infested with vegetables root rot causal organisms under greenhouse conditions. All applied treatments reduced significantly root rot incidence at both pre-, and post-emergence growth stages of Cucumber, Cantaloupe, Tomato and Pepper plants comparing with untreated check control. The obtained results showed that combination treatments of Calcium chloride, Thyme oil with bio-agents reduced significantly root rot incidence of all grown vegetables comparing with the application of each of them alone. Obtained results, in the present study, lead to suggest that integration between salt or essential oil and bio-agents is considered an applicable, safe and cost-effective method for controlling such soil-borne diseases.

Occurrence of Sclerotinia Foliage Blight Disease of Cucumber and Pepper Plants under Protected Cultivation System in Egypt II. Bio-Control Measures against Sclerotinia Spp. in Vitro

Severe outbreaks of stem or fruit rot symptoms with sclerotial formation were observed as first occurrence during a disease survey of cucumber and pepper crops during the cool season, 2011 in the Protected Cultivation Station, Ministry of Agriculture located at Tookh province, Qalubiya governorate, Egypt. This disease appears during the growing season at the seedling or mature stages of plant growth. Recently, interest has been shown in combining microbial biocontrol agents with other chemical components to increase their activity against plant pathogens. To reach the proposed aim determination of the efficacy of some plant-derived essential oils, plant resistance inducers and plant extracts in combination with biocontrol agents against the growth of Sclerotinia foliage blight pathogens <i>S. sclerotiorum</i> and <i>S. minor</i> was carried out under in vitro conditions. The obtained results in the present study has shown the potential of tested materials as effective inhibitors against pathogenic fungi when combined factors with antagonistic bioagents.

Produção e características físico-químicas dos cachos da videira 'BRS Clara' sob cobertura plástica e sombrite em safra fora de época

Devido às condições climáticas favoráveis à ocorrência de doenças fúngicas em uvas de mesa, tem-se buscado a adoção de tecnologias que propiciem a redução nos custos de produção, sendo uma alternativa o cultivo de uvas sob cobertura plástica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção e as características físico-químicas dos cachos da videira 'BRS Clara' enxertada sobre o porta-enxerto IAC-766 'Campinas', em cultivo protegido durante a safra fora de época, visando à redução da aplicação de fungicidas para o controle do míldio. Os experimentos foram realizados em pomares comerciais localizados em Uraí e Marialva-PR. As videiras foram conduzidas no sistema latada, em espaçamento de 4,0 x 4,0 m, em Uraí, e de 2,0 x 5,0 m, em Marialva. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com dois sistemas de cultivo protegido (sob cobertura plástica e sob sombrite) e sete repetições. No experimento conduzido em Uraí, não foram verificadas diferenças entre os sistemas de cultivo protegido quanto às características produtivas e químicas das bagas, como o teor de sólidos solúveis totais, índice de maturação e pH. Verificou-se a ocorrência do míldio somente nas folhas, sendo a incidência e a severidade menor nas videiras sob cobertura plástica (0,5 e 0,02%, respectivamente). Em Marialva, também não houve influência das coberturas nas características produtivas das videiras. Entretanto, o teor de sólidos solúveis totais das bagas sob cobertura plástica foi superior em relação àquelas sob sombrite (19,6 e 17,2ºBrix, respectivamente). Não foi detectada a ocorrência de míldio em nenhum dos sistemas de cultivo protegido nessa localidade. Conclui-se que o uso da cobertura plástica permite a redução do número de aplicações de fungicidas para o controle do míldio, sem alterar as características produtivas da uva 'BRS Clara'.

UV‐absorbing films and nets affect the dispersal of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

AbstractUV‐absorbing films and nets are frequently used as covering materials for netted greenhouses and film tunnels in protected cultivation systems. This study explored the effects of such materials on the dispersal behaviour of western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis, in flight cages under greenhouse conditions with additional artificial UV‐A light sources. The study involved release–recapture experiments in choice and no‐choice layouts. Different trapping methods were compared (blue sticky cards, plants and transparent cards) for recapture of thrips. In choice experiments, insects were released from a black box compartment between two tunnels covered with either UV‐transmitting or UV‐absorbing materials. A significantly higher proportion of (82–98%) WFT was recaptured in UV‐transmitting tunnels compared with UV‐absorbing tunnels. In no‐choice experiments, WFT were found to infiltrate the tunnels at different rates depending on the trap type used and experimental layout. In small‐scale dispersal experiments using blue sticky cards and plants as traps, infiltration was not significantly different between UV‐absorbing and UV‐transmitting tunnels, whereas when using transparent cards, WFT penetrated further into the UV‐transmitting plastic film tunnels. In larger‐scale dispersal experiments, plants or blue sticky cards were arranged in concentric circles around a source plant at the release point. Dispersal was found to differ depending on the method of release, but WFT tended to exhibit reduced dispersal from source plants under UV‐deficient conditions. In conclusion, our data support the hypothesis that manipulation of spectral light properties using UV‐absorbing cladding materials for protected crop stands interferes with the orientation and host finding of WFT, resulting in reduced dispersal into and within plant stands in UV‐deficient environments.

Occurrence of Sclerotinia Foliage Blight Disease of Cucumber and Pepper Plants under Protected Cultivation System in Egypt I. Chemical and Biological Control Measures in Vitro

During the winter season 2011, a sever Sclerotinia blight disease symptoms were observed on cucumber and Pepper plants grown in the Protected Cultivation Station, Ministry of Agriculture located at Tookh province, Qalubiya governorate, Egypt. Surveyed plastic houses at the previous location revealed that the recorded Sclerotinia blight disease incidence was 2.8 and 3.3% for cucumber and pepper plants, respectively. The isolated causal pathogens for cucumber and pepper foliage blights were identified as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary and S. minor Jagger, respectively. This is thought to be the first report of these fungi to cause foliage blights on cucumber and pepper in Egypt. As control measures antagonistic agents and fungicides against the growth both pathogenic fungi under in vitro conditions were evaluated. The obtained results showed complete growth inhibition was recorded for both S. sclerotiorum and S. minor at 100ppm of Top- sin-M and Ridomil Gold, while Rizolex-T gave the same effect at 200ppm. The fungicide, Previcure had inhibitor effect on the mycelia growth of both fungi only at the high concentration 800ppm. Moreover, the antagonistic fungi (Trichoderma spp.) showed superior inhibitory effect against the growth of pathogenic fungi compared with bacterial isolates (B. subtilis & P. florescence). No significant differences between the tested antagonistic microorganisms and commercial biocides were observed.

TOMATO YIELD, NITROGEN UPTAKE AND USE EFFICIENCY IN RELATION TO NITROGEN FERTILIZATION LEVELS

ISHS XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on Greenhouse 2010 and Soilless Cultivation TOMATO YIELD, NITROGEN UPTAKE AND USE EFFICIENCY IN RELATION TO NITROGEN FERTILIZATION LEVELS

First Record of Sclerotinia Blight Disease on Cucumber under Protected Cultivation System in Egypt

First Record of Sclerotinia Blight Disease on Cucumber under Protected Cultivation System in Egypt

First Record of Sclerotinia Foliage Blight Disease on Pepper under Protected Cultivation System in Egypt

First Record of Sclerotinia Foliage Blight Disease on Pepper under Protected Cultivation System in Egypt

Control of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) with Amblyseius swirskii on greenhouse pepper in heated and unheated plastic tunnels in the Mediterranean region of Turkey

The western flower thrip, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) poses a significant risk to many food and ornamental crops in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Chemical control has been the primary means used to control the population of F. occidentalis in protected cultivation systems in Turkey. We evaluatedAmblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) on peppers following single releases at the rate of 50 adults per m2 as a predator of F. occidentalis in heated and unheated plastic tunnels. The study covered the period when the peppers had started to flower. In both tunnel types, despite greater variation in day/night temperatures in unheated plastic tunnels, the F. occidentalis population was maintained at a level of fewer than 2 per flower throughout the experiments in plots where predatory mites were released. The density of the thrips infestation exceeded the action threshold of 3 thrips per flower in control plots. The results of the study show that A. swirskii is highly effective for controlling western flower thrips on sweet pepper and can provide long-term thrips control. In the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey, pepper growers who are considering releases of this predatory mite in plastic tunnels may find A. swirskii useful as a new control agent. Key words: Frankliniella occidentalis, Amblyseius swirskii, biological control, heated and unheated plastic tunnels, sweet pepper, Mediterranean region of Turkey.

Evolução da maturação da uva 'BRS Clara' sob cultivo protegido durante a safra fora de época

A produção de uvas para mesa vem passando por alguns desafios que demandam alterações nas tecnologias de produção, devido, principalmente, à intensa necessidade de controle de doenças fúngicas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o comportamento da evolução da maturação da uva 'BRS Clara' enxertada sobre o porta-enxerto IAC 766 'Campinas', sob cultivo protegido produzida em safra fora de época. Os experimentos foram realizados em Uraí e Marialva (PR). Foram avaliadas semanalmente as características químicas das bagas, como teor de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, índice de maturação e pH, a partir do início da maturação até a colheita, em dois sistemas de cultivo protegido: cobertura plástica e sombrite. O delineamento experimental adotado em ambas as áreas foi o inteiramente casualizado com sete repetições. A evolução da maturação nos dois sistemas de cultivo protegido foi comparada por meio da análise de regressão. Em ambas as áreas experimentais, a cobertura plástica possibilitou a antecipação da colheita das uvas em seis dias em relação ao sombrite, considerando o teor de sólidos solúveis. Não houve influência da cobertura plástica sobre o índice de maturação das uvas.

11.4.3 Systematic design of greenhouse crop production systems

AbstractProtected cultivation systems are used throughout the world as a powerful instrument to produce crops. They protect the crops from unfavorable outdoor climate conditions and pests and 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. Designing protected cultivation systems is a multi‐factorial optimization problem. During this process, choices have to be made with respect to construction, cladding material, climate conditioning equipment, energy sources and management, growing substrates, water and nutrient supply, internal logistics and labour, to mention a few. All of these choices mutually influence each other and are influenced by local boundary conditions like climate, economics, market, legislation and availability of resources. This paper presents the outlines of a systematic design methodology to design protected cultivation systems including several design examples of modern greenhouses production systems.

Commercial Cut Flower Production in Nepal and Status of Four Important Cut Flowers

Commercial cut flower production in Nepal had its origin during late eighties of last century. This paper deals with history of commercial cut flowers production in Nepal and the current situation of cut flower production in Nepal with special reference to types of cut flowers grown, area under various cut flowers, production system (in-door or out-door) and location of production area in the country. Status of four most important cut flowers of Nepal is also described. This paper has revealed steady increase in the area of production and spread of growing area from within the Kathmandu valley to other parts of the country. The types of cut flowers grown in Nepal has also diversified and production changed for high value cut flowers from open field cultivation to semi to fully protected cultivation system. Keywords: Floriculture, inventory, production system, protective production J. Inst. Agric. Anim. Sci. 25:17-21 2004

THE ADAPTIVE GREENHOUSE - AN INTEGRATED SYSTEMS APPROACH TO DEVELOPING PROTECTED CULTIVATION SYSTEMS

Protected cultivation systems are used throughout the world as a powerful instrument to produce crops. They protect the crops from unfavorable outdoor climate conditions and pests and 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. A quick scan of protected cultivation systems presently in use reveals that various types of protected cultivation systems have evolved in time. These cultivation systems differ for instance in terms of construction and cover materials used, the presence and use of different types of climate conditioning equipment, soil or soilless cultivation and nutrition. These differences are determined by the local climate, the availability of water, soil and water quality, the availability of capital, labor and materials and local legislation, to mention a few. With these observations in mind, this paper addresses the question of how to design a protected cultivation system that best satisfies the local conditions in the region considered. This is a multi-factorial design and optimization problem. This research aims at developing a generic design tool, using available knowledge for instance contained in heuristic and mathematical models. In this paper, the outlines of a systematic design procedure to design protected cultivation systems are sketched. The design of a minimum fossil energy greenhouse is used as example to illustrate the approach

UTILIZATION OF COMBINING BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC TREATMENTS TO CONTROL BACTERIAL ANGULAR LEAF SPOT DISEASE OF CUCUMBER

Bacterial angular leaf spot disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans is an important foliage disease of cucumber, under protected cultivation system. The present work was planned to control the disease using bio-agents and abiotic agents alone or combining, under greenhouse and commercial plastic house conditions. Data obtained indicated that application of bio- and abiotic agents decreased severity of bacterial angular leaf spot disease of cucumber, compared with the control. Fluorescent Pseudomonads (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. fluorescens and P. putida isolates) were more effectiveness than isolate of Bacillus subtilis to reduce the disease severity, when they were applied as soil drench treatment. Application of abiotic agents as foliar treatment was more effective than as seed treatment to decrease the disease severity. Isolates of P. fluorescens or P. putida as bio-agents and salicylic acid or ethephone as abiotic agents were the most effective against the disease. Disease severity was significantly reduced by increasing rates of abiotic agents. However, interaction between bio-agents (P. fluorescens or P. putida isolates) as soil treatment and abiotic agents (salicylic acid or ethephone) as foliar treatment greatly decreased severity of bacterial angular leaf spot disease of cucumber, under greenhouse and commercial plastic house condition, compared with the control. Combination between P fluorescens isolate as soil treatment and salicylic acid as foliar treatment were the most effective against the disease

ASPECTS OF POSTHARVEST MANAGEMENT OF SELECTED FIELD-GROWN CUT FLOWERS

Downward pressure of prices, rising cut-flower-imports, environmental consciousness and constraints are some of the leading factors to enhance and popularize extensive and organic flower production. Austrian growers question whether to intensify high input protected cultivation systems and/or to shift to low input extensive field growing systems. In general grading, sorting, cooling and application of floral preservatives are the main post-harvest management techniques that can be applied throughout the post-harvest chain. Usually the produce is commercialized on the central Viennese Green Market, on regional markets or at direct sales centers. Post harvest treatments suitable for organic and conventional integrated field-grown specialty cut flowers were tested to maintain product quality passing the post harvest-chains.