ISHS Acta Horticulturae 659: VII International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Production, Pest Management and Global Competition
EFFECTS OF EC-LEVEL AND PLANT SHADING ON NFT-GROWN "FRIARIELLO¿" PEPPER |
| Authors: | G. Caruso, G. Villari |
| Keywords: | Capsicum annuum L. var. Longum, hydroponics, buffer concentration, double crop layer, yield, nutrient absorption. |
| Abstract:
This study was conducted in Campania in 2002 and 2003, during winter-summer period, with the aim of determining the production of Capsicum annuum L. var. Longum, also known as “Friariello” (local cv Nocera) grown under double plastic film (IR-PE) polytunnels with the nutrient film technique. Comparisons were made of four nutritive solutions differing in electrical conductivity (EC) levels (3.5, 3.8, 4.1 and 4.4 mS•cm-1), in a factorial combination with crops arranged in pairs on two vertical overlapping layers. A split-plot design was used and each randomized treatment included 12 plants with three replications. Plants were placed on gullies through a pierced white PE film which prevents algae diffusion. A pepper control crop was grown in the same tunnels with the current technique, i.e. with plants spaced 30 cm apart along the row and in double rows 40 cm apart (achieving the same density of 5.3 plants per m2 as with the NFT) on black PE mulched ridges (80 cm wide). Due to the shade, the crop placed on the lower level was negatively affected yield, due to a 37% reduced number of fruit. Of the salinity treatments examined, those based on nutrient solutions with 3.8 mS•cm-1 EC had the highest yields, within the higher crop level, whereas the 4.1 mS•cm-1 EC had the best results with regard to the lower layer. These two treatments, overall and in relation to the net unit surface area, exceeded the control by about 70%. Daily water and ionic absorptions attained the highest intensities in the second week of June, corresponding to the maximum fruiting rate. In this phase, the absorption of most of the analysed nutrients was higher with the 3.8-4.1 mS•cm-1 EC range for the upper layer and 4.1-4.4 for the lower one. | |
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