Preliminary Mapping of the Spatial Variability in the Microclimate in Tropical Greenhouses: A Pepper Crop Perspective

Angel Triana, Alfonso Llanderal, Pedro García-Caparrós, Manuel Donoso, Rafael Jiménez-Lao, John Eloy Franco Rodríguez and María Teresa Lao ()
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Angel Triana: Faculty of Technical Education for Development, Catholic University of Santiago of Guayaquil, Av. C. J. Arosemena Km. 1.5, Guayaquil 09014671, Ecuador
Alfonso Llanderal: Faculty of Technical Education for Development, Catholic University of Santiago of Guayaquil, Av. C. J. Arosemena Km. 1.5, Guayaquil 09014671, Ecuador
Pedro García-Caparrós: Faculty of Technical Education for Development, Catholic University of Santiago of Guayaquil, Av. C. J. Arosemena Km. 1.5, Guayaquil 09014671, Ecuador
Manuel Donoso: Department of Agronomy, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
Rafael Jiménez-Lao: Department of Agronomy, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
John Eloy Franco Rodríguez: Faculty of Technical Education for Development, Catholic University of Santiago of Guayaquil, Av. C. J. Arosemena Km. 1.5, Guayaquil 09014671, Ecuador
María Teresa Lao: Department of Agronomy, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: The objectives of this experiment were to (1) discern the spatial variability in climatic parameters within a greenhouse throughout different phenological stages of pepper cultivation and (2) develop an empirical model aimed at establishing predictive equations for temperature, relative humidity, vapor pressure deficit, and crop evapotranspiration (ETc) within the greenhouse considering the climatic parameters recorded on the outside. The experiment was conducted in the coastal area of Ecuador within a bamboo-constructed greenhouse facility. Pepper plants were cultivated in plastic bags using a specific cultivation medium common in Ecuador and a fertigation system. Climatic parameters were monitored within the greenhouse using data loggers, and the external conditions were recorded using an external meteorological station throughout the duration of the pepper cultivation. Statistical analyses revealed correlations between internal climatic parameters and plant growth stages, as well as external climatic conditions. The spatial distribution analysis of climatic parameters within the greenhouse revealed that the lowest values for temperature (27 °C) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) (1.25 kPa) and the highest values for relative humidity (RH) (68%) were observed on the northwest corner of the greenhouse. This observed pattern was linked to the prevailing wind direction (south–east (SE)) outside the greenhouse. Stepwise regression analyses identified significant outdoor climate variables (RH, temperature, VPD, and instantaneous wind speed (WS) Inst) in the climatic conditions recorded within the greenhouse.

Keywords: Capsicum annuum; climatic parameters; crop evapotranspiration; phenological stages; modeling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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