Abstract

ANGEL-HERNANDEZ, Martha Del et al. Characteristics of a tunnel cover effect on radiation, chlorophyll and zucchini yield. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.5, pp.1127-1142. ISSN 2007-0934.  https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v8i5.113.

Since the agricultura under plastic covers is an alternative to improve yield of horticultural crops, the aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of four types of tunnel covers of different materials and colors in the transmitance of radiation and its relationship with chlorophyll content, growth and crop yield of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) cv. Zucchini. The study was conducted during the production cycle autumn-winter 2015-2016 in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León. The materials used were three tunnels with polycarbonate films of red, blue and clear color respectively, and another with a cover of high density polyethylene. Within each tunnel, solar radiation and photosynthetically active were registered. The chlorophyll contents from the leaves of the plants was also obtained. The results showed that, for the PAR radiation band, red polycarbonate had the lowest transmittance (23.51%), followed by the blue (57.46%), the high density polyethylene (60.51%) and the one with greater transmittance was the light-colored polycarbonate (82.57%). Plants grown under the tunnel with light colored polycarbonate had higher chlorophyll content, better leaf development and increased fruit yield. In contrast, the plants in the red polycarbonate tunnel that received the least amount of PAR radiation had the lowest chlorophyll content, lower leaf development and no fruit yield.

Keywords : Cucurbita pepo; cover; polycarb; polyethylene; tunnel; transmittance.