ISHS Acta Horticulturae 517: XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 7: Quality of Horticultural Products
STUDIES ON SUITABILITY OF VARIOUS STRUCTURES FOR WINTER VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AT SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES |
| Authors: | B. Singh, S.K. Dwivedi, E. Paljor |
| Keywords: | greenhouses, structures, sub zero temperatures, vegetable |
| Abstract:
Subzero temperatures (minimum upto -30 deg C) prevail durinng winter months in Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir State of India. The altitude of the area ranges from 2900 to 5900 m from mean sea level. The region remains land locked for over seven months during winter. Captive power is not available for farming during this period. Aforsaid conditions necessitate harnessing of solar and soil heat for vegetable production by utilising protected structures. Different types of structures viz. glass house, poly house, local mud poly house and trench were evaluated for vegetable cultivation at Field Research Laboratory, Leh during winter months of 1996 and 1997. Environmental parameters, crop growth and yield under different structures were observed. Suitability of structures in terms of cost and production of crops was worked out. Higher diurnal temperature was observed in glasshouse as compared with playhouse. Higher night temperature was observed in trench followed by local mud poly house, playhouse and glasshouse. Growth of different vegetable crops was significantly higher in trench in comparison to other structures. Durability of cladding material (glass and polyethylene) was observed. Variations in indoor temperature were minimized by adopting certain physical measures. Potential of polyethylene covered trench for vegetable production under sub zero atmospheric condition, with zero captive power has been discussed, harnessing soil and sun heat for successful vegetable production in cold desert areas has been highlighted, where, not even a blade of grass grows during winter. | |
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