Maximising Strawberry Yield in Single-Layered and Double-Layered Gothic Greenhouses: A Microclimate Approach

Abstract

Seolhyang variety of strawberry was grown in two gothic greenhouses with one layer and two layers of glazing material and a layer of shading screen. The objective of the study was to optimise strawberry yield using temperature, relative humidity (RH), vapour pressure deficit (VPD), and solar radiation (SR) in a single-layered (1Lgh) and double-layered (2Lgh) single-span gothic greenhouse. Greenhouse climate data were recorded using standard data loggers and sensors. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential analysis. During the day, significant differences were observed between the 1Lgh and 2Lgh in terms of VPD and SR, while during the night, significant differences were found in RH and VPD (p<0.01). The yield in the 1Lgh was 3.2% higher than in the 2Lgh, the higher daytime VPD and lower nighttime RH in the 1Lgh may possibly explain this observation. The environmental parameters had significant interaction on yield with resultant R2 values of 0.80 and 0.50 for 1Lgh and 2Lgh, respectively.

Keywords

• Yield;
• horticulture;
• Crop cultivation;
• Optimisation