Growth, yield and development of strawberry cv. 'Elsanta' under novel photoselective film clad greenhouses

Fletcher, J.M., Tatsiopoulou, A., Hadley, P., Davis, F.J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0462-872X and Henbest, R.G.C. (2004) Growth, yield and development of strawberry cv. 'Elsanta' under novel photoselective film clad greenhouses. In: Papadopoulos, A.P. (ed.) Protected cultivation 2002: in search of structures, systems and plant materials for sustainable greenhouse production. Acta Horticulturae, 633. International Society for Horticultural Science, Leuven, pp. 99-106. ISBN 9789066056275 doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.633.11

Abstract/Summary

Film greenhouse claddings are typically used to protect horticultural crops from low temperature and high rainfall conditions. However, a range of novel plastic films have been developed which filter specific radiation wavelengths with the aim of providing the grower with greater control of crop growth and development. A replicated experiment was conducted in 8 small experimental greenhouses, covered with different photoselective films characterised by a range of red/far-red ratios and PAR transmissions to study their effects on the growth, yield and quality of the strawberry cv. 'Elsanta'. Marketable yield per plant was 51% greater under the film with the highest light transmission (control) compared with the lower light transmission films. Similarly, unmarketable fruit number and average non-marketable individual fruit weight per plant was lowest under films with higher light transmissions and higher under lower light transmission films. Cropping duration was longer under films with high R/FR. Also plants under high R/FR were more compact (due to shorter petiole lengths) compared to plants grown under low R/FR. The results are discussed in relation to the increased use of photoselective films in protected horticulture and the need for higher quality fruit and vegetables.