Brief version by Menachem Dinar, Phd - Paskal Technologies
Improving greenhouse tomatoes yield by trellising strategy
Differences in growth rate between the east and the west sides of the row were observed in all 4 locations. Pattern, timing and period of these phenomena vary among locations.
The study was conducted to evaluate greenhouse performance under various locations and different orientation.
The absolute differences were lower (-0.03 kg.m²/day /row) in Canada, and higher in Holland – (0.06 kg/m²/day/row).
There seems to be a link between the pattern of the difference and orientation of greenhouses. Minor changes were observed in Canada ( - 2ᵒ) orientation and larger fluctuations in Holland: (- 110ᵒ and 65ᵒ orientation).
Preliminary observations, conducted in 2013 aimed at improving rows performance by lowering the two sides of the rows separately.
Since the accumulated differences between rows varied between 3 to 7 kg/m², it can be estimated that there is an economical potential to minimize the gap between rows by improving the light penetration to the shaded row.
This can be done by separately lowering the two rows: Timing and length of lowering should be studied systematically by following on-line the daily growth rate of the two rows .This will enable the grower to manage the process in a controlled manner.
It is expected that the grower will be able to manage and adjust the trellising strategy according to the daily growth pattern and radiation.
Extensive description and analysis of the phenomenon will be published in a separate article next week.
For further information:
Paskal Technologies
Dr Menachem Dinar, Agronomist
Email: Menachem.dinar@gmail.com
or
Elie Adania, Marketing Director
Email: Eliezer@paskal-group.com
www.paskal-tech.com