Comparison of Yield, Quality of Product and
General Economics of Two Greenhouse Pepper Production
Systems
Industry supporter: Mr. Ed Boutonnet (Ocean
Mist Farms)
Armando Suarez, M.S. Student, Agricultural and Biosystems
Engineering
Comparison of pepper crop
production under high light, high temperature, low humidity, desert
conditions is being completed within two greenhouse production
systems. These are a traditional greenhouse that includes a
polycarbonate covered structure with computerized environmental control
and data acquisition system, and a retractable-roof greenhouse that
includes a polyethylene covered structure with removable roof with a low
cost heating system using digital controls rather than the more expensive
computer control equipment. Each structure will be planted to three
pepper cultivars, each of different color; red, yellow and orange.
The growing media in each greenhouse will be rockwool and fertigated
through drip irrigation. Pepper and Tomato varieties are being
evaluated for production and quality, within both a traditional greenhouse
and within an opening roof greenhouse. Procedures for monitoring and
control of temperature (leaf and air), and solar radiation are being
developed for improving plant microclimate.
Cooperators: Mr.
Ed Boutonnet (Ocean Mist Farms), Dr. Merle Jensen, Dr. Chieri
Kubota, Dr. Gene Giacomelli, and Technical support: Mr. Stephen
Kania
Completed May 2005 |
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