Protected Cultivation of Vegetables

This study was carried out to determine effects of humus and humic acid application
on yield and plant nutritional contents of lettuce in Bulancak ecological conditions.
Experiment was established in completely randomized designed with 3 replicates
including 0, 25, 50 and 100 kg/da humus and 0, 1500 and 3000 ml/da humic acid
applications. Yield, yield components and some macro and micro nutrition contents
of plants were measured. The results showed that effects of humus and humic acid
applications on leaf number per plant, leaf width, leaf length, yield, dry matter, K,
Mg, B, Zn, Fe and Mn contents of lettuce were found to be significant. Results
showed that the highest doses of organic matter applications increased the yield
approximataly by two fold than control plots.

Greenhouse production of vegetables and fruits is a very important horticulture activity in Egypt. The employment of greenhouses results in a rise in production per land, water and nutrient units, higher fruit quality, longer production periods, and keeps supply during off-season (El-Gayar et al., 2019). Good agricultural practices of protected cultivation farming are perhaps the main alternatives in countries in the Mediterranean region, such as Egypt, which needs to improve the profitability from the cultivated area to fulfil the gradually increasing need for nourishment for the expanding populace and preserve the regular assets (Abdrabbo et al., 2019). Managing the microclimate and irrigation system in greenhouses is considered a major challenge faced by growers due to the differences of cover materials (polyethylene, screen and shade nets

Management of greenhouses and protected cultivation requires proper knowledge of the climate and suitable environmental conditions for the cultivated crops. To achieve good management practices for greenhouses, the impacts of climate variables on plant growth and production during different seasons should understood. Autumn is the major cultivation season for greenhouse activities in Egypt, especially for vegetable crops production. Crops which are cultivated during autumn continue until winter or spring. Protected cultivation sector plays a significant role in terms of food security in Egypt and provides wholesale markets with fresh vegetable leafy and fruits during the winter season with a proper quantity and reasonable price. Using soilless culture techniques for commercial production of vegetable crops under greenhouses has started to expand in the last ten years, especially producing leafy crops during summer season. Producing tropical fruits under screenhouse has also started to expand commercially during the last five years due to increase in the extreme weather events (heat waves) during critical phenological stage especially for mango trees. The protection of mango trees by using white screen net cover and cheap wooden greenhouse structure has become one of the good management practices for producing high yield and good quality products. Greenhouse irrigation water management for vegetable crops is considered one of the most important practices related to proper production. An example involving the estimation of the irrigation water schedule during the autumn season in the Delta region is illustrated in this paper. The irrigation schedule was done based on the climate conditions of the Delta region which is demonstrated in the current work. The objective of the this paper is demonstrate the current status of the greenhouse management and practices in Egypt as well as review some efforts which developed during the last two decades such as local soilless culture technique and cultivate the tropical fruits under greenhouses which needed for the different stakeholders in the greenhouse sector in Egypt. On the other hand, the current work emphasis on the dominated climate in Nile Delta region and how to estimate the irrigation requirements for plants under greenhouse according to climatic data with review the researchers' efforts in this topic.

Comparative study of the microclimate under three protected cultivation structures under Goan climatic conditions
Dr. Mathala Juliet Gupta1
Under the Koppen climate classification Goa has a tropical monsoon climate. It is in the tropical zone and close to the Arabian Sea and hence has a hot and humid climate for most of the year. May is the hottest month with day temperatures of over 35 °C and a high humidity. The monsoon rains arrive in early June and provide a much needed respite from the heat. Most of Goa's annual rainfall is received through the monsoons which last till late September. It has a short winter season between mid-December and February with night temperatures of around 21 °C and days of around 28 °C with moderate humidity. Due to altitudinal gradation, inlands have cooler nights. Goa is a tourist hotspot with tourism as its primary industry. Agriculture finds a third place in the state as occupation. There is a large demand of high value flowers, fruits, vegetables which cannot be met by domestic produce and come from neighbouring states. During the monsoons open field cultivation of only Paddy is possible.
To enhance the productivity in the state especially for vegetables, flowers etc., which are in demand in the hotel industry, there is need for use of protected cultivation structures which can be used year round. At present the structures that are used are shade net houses, mist houses and naturally ventilated poly houses. The designs of Pune and Bangalore have been adopted. But these designs are not specific to the climate of Goa. An attempt is being made to design a protected cultivation structure suitable for Goa under RKVY funded project at ICAR Research Complex for Goa. The present study is the analysis of the microclimate under shade net, double span mutually inclusive poly house and unventilated poly tunnel. Results indicated that the microclimate under a naturally ventilated greenhouse and shade net were comparable but the shade net provided slightly better microclimate as during peak ambient temperature conditions the temperature as compared to the naturally ventilated greenhouse was 1-2oC cooler. The unventilated poly tunnel had temperatures 20oC degree higher than the ambient temperatures indicating their potential for use as tunnel dryers for various horticultural produce.

1 Scientist SS( Agricultural Structures and Process Engineering), ICAR Research Complex for Goa
Post paper presented at Global Conference on Horticulture for Food, Nutrition and Livelihood Options, May 28-31, 2012, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, India

An experiment was conducted at El-Bossily Protected Cultivation Experimental Farm, Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate (CLAC), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), at Behaira Governorate, Egypt, during the autumn seasons of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 to study the Economic considerations of using different types of organic manure on sweet pepper yield under protected cultivation (Vermicompost, compost and Cattle manure at the rates of 2, 4 and 6% (1.8, 3.6 and 5.4 m 3 /plastic house of 540m 2) were the organic fertilizer treatments. The study aimed to investigate increasing organic soil matter content in sandy soil by different rates and types of soil amendments as well as investigate their effects on vegetative growth and yield of sweet pepper using a split plot design with three replicates. Results obtained indicate that increasing rate of the different soil amendments from 1.8 to 5.4 m 3 /plastic house led to increase in vegetative growth and significantly enhanced early and t...

An experiment was conducted during kharif 2017-18 to study the effect of fertigation on the soil and leaf nutrient contents of pole bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under naturally ventilated polyhouse at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station (ZAHRS), Navile, Shivamogga. The experiment consisted of 12 treatments and three replications were laid out in randomized block design. As there is no standard recommended dose of fertilizers for pole bean under fertigation, the recommended fertilizer dosage for French bean (63:100:75 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha) was taken as the basis. The study revealed that, highest soil pH (7.24) and EC (0.13 dSm-1) was found in the treatment (T12) with fertigation at 70 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (44.1:70:53 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha) along with the mulching and foliar application of micronutrients (0.5 %) and the highest available soil N (470.93 kg ha-1), P (463.83 kg ha-1) and K (292.63 kg ha-1) was found in the treatment T1 with fertigation at 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (63:100:75 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha). It was also observed that the treatment T12 registered the highest leaf nutrient status like, nitrogen (0.86 %), potassium (0.2 %), iron (386 ppm), manganese (230 ppm), zinc (79.87 ppm), and copper content (13.88 ppm). Whereas, the leaf phosphorus (0.65 %) content was found highest in the treatment (T11) with 80 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (50.40:80:60 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha) as water soluble fertilizer combination with mulching and micronutrients spray (0.5 %).

ÖZET Alçak plastik tünel altında kavun yetiştiriciliğinde 5 değişik budama uygulamasının malçsız ve şeffaf plastik malçlı ortamlarda Makdimon F 1 kavun çeşidinin erkencilik, verim ve kalitesi üzerine etkileri incelenmiştir. Tepe budaması yapılan bitkiler 3-7 gün kadar daha erken çiçeklenmiş ve 6-7 gün önce kol atmaya başlamıştır. Bu erkencilik malç kullanımıyla daha da öne alınmıştır. Budama uygulamaları toplam verimi %5 ile %37, erkenci verimi %32 ile %91 arasında artırmış, bu artış malç kullanımıyla %52 ile %84 oranında yükselmiştir. Budama uygulamaları meyve sayısını %10 ile %38 arasında artırmış, malç kullanımıyla meyve sayısı %24 ile %47 daha da artmıştır. Uygulamaların meyve ağırlığı, meyve kabuk kalınlığı, meyve eti kalınlığı, çekirdek evi çapı, çekirdek evi uzunluğu, pH, meyve tadı ve meyve olgunlaşma süresi üzerine önemli etkileri olmamıştır. Suda çözünebilir toplam kuru madde (%S.Ç.K.M.) miktarı şeffaf plastik malç uygulamasıyla artmış, budamalardan etkilenmemiştir. En uygun budama yöntemi olarak tepe alma ve bitkilerin 2-3 kollu büyütülmesi görülmüştür.

Comparative study of the microclimate profiles in existing protected cultivation structures in Goa as a function of ambient conditions, ventilation area and cladding material
Dr. (Ms.) Mathala Juliet Gupta*,  Er. (Ms.) Sumati Pandurang Chavan & Ms. Poonam Bandekar
ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Ela, Old Goa 403402, Goa, India, *Email:[email protected]
Goa is classified as a tropical monsoon zone under the Koppen climate classification Goa. Being close to the Arabian Sea it has a hot and humid climate for most of the year. May is the hottest month with day temperatures of over 35 °C and a high humidity. Monsoon is from June to August but extends even up to late September. It has a short winter season between mid-December and February with night temperatures of around 21 °C and days of around 28 °C with moderate humidity. Due to altitudinal gradation, inlands have cooler nights. Goa is a tourist hotspot with tourism as its primary industry. Agriculture finds a third place in the state as occupation after mining and tourism. With the current ban on mining in Goa threatening the livelihood of many in the state there is hope that Goans will return to their former favourite profession, i.e., agriculture. But since the land holdings in Goa are fragmented with more than 60% of land holdings are under small and marginal, to make agriculture profitable integrated farming systems and secondary agriculture is being greatly promoted. There is a large demand of high value flowers, fruits, vegetables which cannot be met by domestic produce and come from neighbouring states. During the monsoons open field cultivation of only Paddy is possible.
Use of protected cultivation structures, year round can enhance the productivity in the state especially for exotic vegetables, flowers etc., in demand in the hotel industry. At present shade net houses and multi-span naturally ventilated poly houses are being used in the state. The designs of Pune and Bangalore have been adopted which are not specific to the climate of Goa. An attempt is being made to design a protected cultivation structure suitable for Goa under RKVY funded project at ICAR Research Complex for Goa. In the present study the microclimatic profiles in the structures have been studied as a function of the structure, vent location and size, cladding material and orientation. Results indicated that the microclimate under a naturally ventilated greenhouse and shade net were comparable, but significant accumulation of heat as evident by increased temperature as a function of height from ground level occurred in double span naturally ventilated poly house. Further studies on air exchange patterns and ventilation profiling using sonic anemometers is planned to assess the microclimate as influenced by the ventilation rates in the structures as a function of their vent size, location, outside wind intensity and direction. These will be pre-requisite to evolve the design of a structure suitable for Goa.
Key Words: Protected cultivation, shade net, naturally ventilated poly house, microclimate, ventilation.

An experiment was conducted during kharif 2017-18 to study the effect of fertigation on the soil and leaf nutrient contents of pole bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under naturally ventilated polyhouse at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station (ZAHRS), Navile, Shivamogga. The experiment consisted of 12 treatments and three replications were laid out in randomized block design. As there is no standard recommended dose of fertilizers for pole bean under fertigation, the recommended fertilizer dosage for French bean (63:100:75 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha) was taken as the basis. The study revealed that, highest soil pH (7.24) and EC (0.13 dSm) was found in the treatment (T12) with fertigation at 70 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (44.1:70:53 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha) along with the mulching and foliar application of micronutrients (0.5 %) and the highest available soil N (470.93 kg ha), P (463.83 kg ha) and K (292.63 kg ha) was found in the treatment T1 with fertigation at 100 per...

An experiment was conducted during kharif 2017-18 to study the effect of fertigation on the soil and leaf nutrient contents of pole bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under naturally ventilated polyhouse at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station (ZAHRS), Navile, Shivamogga. The experiment consisted of 12 treatments and three replications were laid out in randomized block design. As there is no standard recommended dose of fertilizers for pole bean under fertigation, the recommended fertilizer dosage for French bean (63:100:75 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha) was taken as the basis. The study revealed that, highest soil pH (7.24) and EC (0.13 dSm) was found in the treatment (T12) with fertigation at 70 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (44.1:70:53 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha) along with the mulching and foliar application of micronutrients (0.5 %) and the highest available soil N (470.93 kg ha), P (463.83 kg ha) and K (292.63 kg ha) was found in the treatment T1 with fertigation at 100 per...

An experiment was conducted at El-Bossily Protected Cultivation Experimental Farm, Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate (CLAC), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), at Behaira Governorate, Egypt, during the autumn seasons of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 to study the Economic considerations of using different types of organic manure on sweet pepper yield under protected cultivation (Vermicompost, compost and Cattle manure at the rates of 2, 4 and 6% (1.8, 3.6 and 5.4 m 3 /plastic house of 540m 2) were the organic fertilizer treatments. The study aimed to investigate increasing organic soil matter content in sandy soil by different rates and types of soil amendments as well as investigate their effects on vegetative growth and yield of sweet pepper using a split plot design with three replicates. Results obtained indicate that increasing rate of the different soil amendments from 1.8 to 5.4 m 3 /plastic house led to increase in vegetative growth and significantly enhanced early and t...

An experiment was conducted at El-Bossily Protected Cultivation Experimental Farm, Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate (CLAC), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), at Behaira Governorate, Egypt, during the autumn seasons of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 to study the Economic considerations of using different types of organic manure on sweet pepper yield under protected cultivation (Vermicompost, compost and Cattle manure at the rates of 2, 4 and 6% (1.8, 3.6 and 5.4 m 3 /plastic house of 540m 2) were the organic fertilizer treatments. The study aimed to investigate increasing organic soil matter content in sandy soil by different rates and types of soil amendments as well as investigate their effects on vegetative growth and yield of sweet pepper using a split plot design with three replicates. Results obtained indicate that increasing rate of the different soil amendments from 1.8 to 5.4 m 3 /plastic house led to increase in vegetative growth and significantly enhanced early and t...