Preliminary Mapping of the Spatial Variability in the Microclimate in Tropical Greenhouses: A Pepper Crop Perspective

The objectives of this experiment were to (1) discern the spatial variability in climatic parameters within a greenhouse throughout different phenological stages of pepper cultivation and (2) develop an empirical model aimed at establishing predictive equations for temperature, relative humidity, va...

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Main Authors: Angel Triana, Alfonso Llanderal, Pedro García-Caparrós, Manuel Donoso, Rafael Jiménez-Lao, John Eloy Franco Rodríguez, María Teresa Lao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1972
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author Angel Triana
Alfonso Llanderal
Pedro García-Caparrós
Manuel Donoso
Rafael Jiménez-Lao
John Eloy Franco Rodríguez
María Teresa Lao
author_facet Angel Triana
Alfonso Llanderal
Pedro García-Caparrós
Manuel Donoso
Rafael Jiménez-Lao
John Eloy Franco Rodríguez
María Teresa Lao
author_sort Angel Triana
collection DOAJ
description The objectives of this experiment were to (1) discern the spatial variability in climatic parameters within a greenhouse throughout different phenological stages of pepper cultivation and (2) develop an empirical model aimed at establishing predictive equations for temperature, relative humidity, vapor pressure deficit, and crop evapotranspiration (ETc) within the greenhouse considering the climatic parameters recorded on the outside. The experiment was conducted in the coastal area of Ecuador within a bamboo-constructed greenhouse facility. Pepper plants were cultivated in plastic bags using a specific cultivation medium common in Ecuador and a fertigation system. Climatic parameters were monitored within the greenhouse using data loggers, and the external conditions were recorded using an external meteorological station throughout the duration of the pepper cultivation. Statistical analyses revealed correlations between internal climatic parameters and plant growth stages, as well as external climatic conditions. The spatial distribution analysis of climatic parameters within the greenhouse revealed that the lowest values for temperature (27 °C) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) (1.25 kPa) and the highest values for relative humidity (RH) (68%) were observed on the northwest corner of the greenhouse. This observed pattern was linked to the prevailing wind direction (south–east (SE)) outside the greenhouse. Stepwise regression analyses identified significant outdoor climate variables (RH, temperature, VPD, and instantaneous wind speed (WS) Inst) in the climatic conditions recorded within the greenhouse.
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spelling doaj-art-ee64e6930286489a81ad4cb07bbc3c2f2025-08-20T01:53:42ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722024-11-011411197210.3390/agriculture14111972Preliminary Mapping of the Spatial Variability in the Microclimate in Tropical Greenhouses: A Pepper Crop PerspectiveAngel Triana0Alfonso Llanderal1Pedro García-Caparrós2Manuel Donoso3Rafael Jiménez-Lao4John Eloy Franco Rodríguez5María Teresa Lao6Faculty of Technical Education for Development, Catholic University of Santiago of Guayaquil, Av. C. J. Arosemena Km. 1.5, Guayaquil 09014671, EcuadorFaculty of Technical Education for Development, Catholic University of Santiago of Guayaquil, Av. C. J. Arosemena Km. 1.5, Guayaquil 09014671, EcuadorFaculty of Technical Education for Development, Catholic University of Santiago of Guayaquil, Av. C. J. Arosemena Km. 1.5, Guayaquil 09014671, EcuadorDepartment of Agronomy, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, SpainDepartment of Agronomy, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, SpainFaculty of Technical Education for Development, Catholic University of Santiago of Guayaquil, Av. C. J. Arosemena Km. 1.5, Guayaquil 09014671, EcuadorDepartment of Agronomy, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, SpainThe objectives of this experiment were to (1) discern the spatial variability in climatic parameters within a greenhouse throughout different phenological stages of pepper cultivation and (2) develop an empirical model aimed at establishing predictive equations for temperature, relative humidity, vapor pressure deficit, and crop evapotranspiration (ETc) within the greenhouse considering the climatic parameters recorded on the outside. The experiment was conducted in the coastal area of Ecuador within a bamboo-constructed greenhouse facility. Pepper plants were cultivated in plastic bags using a specific cultivation medium common in Ecuador and a fertigation system. Climatic parameters were monitored within the greenhouse using data loggers, and the external conditions were recorded using an external meteorological station throughout the duration of the pepper cultivation. Statistical analyses revealed correlations between internal climatic parameters and plant growth stages, as well as external climatic conditions. The spatial distribution analysis of climatic parameters within the greenhouse revealed that the lowest values for temperature (27 °C) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) (1.25 kPa) and the highest values for relative humidity (RH) (68%) were observed on the northwest corner of the greenhouse. This observed pattern was linked to the prevailing wind direction (south–east (SE)) outside the greenhouse. Stepwise regression analyses identified significant outdoor climate variables (RH, temperature, VPD, and instantaneous wind speed (WS) Inst) in the climatic conditions recorded within the greenhouse.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1972<i>Capsicum annuum</i>climatic parameterscrop evapotranspirationphenological stagesmodeling
spellingShingle Angel Triana
Alfonso Llanderal
Pedro García-Caparrós
Manuel Donoso
Rafael Jiménez-Lao
John Eloy Franco Rodríguez
María Teresa Lao
Preliminary Mapping of the Spatial Variability in the Microclimate in Tropical Greenhouses: A Pepper Crop Perspective
Agriculture
<i>Capsicum annuum</i>
climatic parameters
crop evapotranspiration
phenological stages
modeling
title Preliminary Mapping of the Spatial Variability in the Microclimate in Tropical Greenhouses: A Pepper Crop Perspective
title_full Preliminary Mapping of the Spatial Variability in the Microclimate in Tropical Greenhouses: A Pepper Crop Perspective
title_fullStr Preliminary Mapping of the Spatial Variability in the Microclimate in Tropical Greenhouses: A Pepper Crop Perspective
title_full_unstemmed Preliminary Mapping of the Spatial Variability in the Microclimate in Tropical Greenhouses: A Pepper Crop Perspective
title_short Preliminary Mapping of the Spatial Variability in the Microclimate in Tropical Greenhouses: A Pepper Crop Perspective
title_sort preliminary mapping of the spatial variability in the microclimate in tropical greenhouses a pepper crop perspective
topic <i>Capsicum annuum</i>
climatic parameters
crop evapotranspiration
phenological stages
modeling
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1972
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