Evaluación de las variables microclimáticas de invernaderos y correlación con variables fisiológicas del tomate de mesa (Solanum lycopersicum) en la zona de Paute-Guachapala

Abstract

In Paute and Guachapala cantons in Azuay, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is typically grown in greenhouses; however, little is known about the relationships between the greenhouse microclimate in this area and crop productivity. In this study, greenhouses microclimatic variables and their correlations with crop physiological variables during the reproductive stage were evaluated. Temperature and relative humidity were recorded inside and outside six greenhouses during one week, physiological variables (plant height, number and diameter of fruits, stem diameter) were measured in ten plants, and design and construction characteristics of the greenhouses were described; afterwards correlations between the microclimatic, design and physiological variables were analyzed. All the greenhouses had chapel-like structures in its different variations: double chapel, multi-span and flat gable roofs. In addition, the greenhouses located at higher altitudes tended to have a greater production and more favorable microclimate for the development of the crop. These greenhouses registered the highest number of fruits, plant height and stem diameter. The results suggest that the greenhouses studied might not be being effective in optimizing the microclimate for tomato growth but just trading below-optimal temperatures registered in the outside for above-optimal temperatures registered inside the greenhouses, but no increasing the amount of time under optimal temperature conditions for crop growth.