Modification of Microclimates in High Tunnels: A...
Transcript of Modification of Microclimates in High Tunnels: A...
NC STATE UNIVERSITY
Cary Rivard and Steve Moore
February 17th, 2009High Tunnel Workshop
Center for Environmental Farming Systems
Modification of Microclimates in High Tunnels: A case study at CEFS
High tunnels can provide:
• Frost protection
• Rain protection
• Solar energy retention
• Wind protection
Factors to consider:
• Ventilation
• Adequate drainage
Microclimate Modification
Photo courtesy: S. O’Connell (NCSU)
Key Questions• What are the thermal dynamics of field and high
tunnel production?– Air and soil temperature
• Does reduced leaf wetness reduce foliar disease?
• How is the soil microclimate affected by tunnel production?– Soil moisture
• How does the microclimate affect fruit yield and quality?– Planting date
• How effective is solarization in tunnels?• Can we utilize microclimates for cover crops?
Minimum Temperature - CEFS 2007
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9-Mar 29-Mar 18-Apr 8-May 28-May 17-Jun 7-Jul 27-Jul 16-Aug
Min
imum
Dai
ly T
empe
ratu
re (d
egre
es F
)
Avg FieldAvg Tunnel
Easter freeze33 deg F – Tunnel24 deg F – Field
Daily Avg Temperature - CEFS 2007
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Dai
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vera
ge T
empe
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egre
es F
)
Avg FieldAvg Tunnel
Field Planting
Tunnel Planting
Maximum Air Temperature - CEFS 2007
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9-Mar 29-Mar 18-Apr 8-May 28-May 17-Jun 7-Jul 27-Jul 16-Aug
Dai
ly M
axim
um A
ir Te
mpe
ratu
re
FieldTunnelField Planting
Tunnel Planting
Soil Temperature - CEFS 2007
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9-Mar 29-Mar 18-Apr 8-May 28-May 17-Jun 7-Jul 27-Jul 16-Aug
Dai
ly A
vg S
oil T
empe
ratu
re (d
egre
es F
)
FieldTunnel
Field Planting
Tunnel Planting
• Stemphylium spp.– Foliar leaf spot– Warm wet conditions– Wind / rain dispersal– Severe defoliation
CEFS 2008: Gray Leaf Spot
CEFS Main Effects - 2008
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% L
AD
- G
ray
Leaf
Spo
t
TunnelField
CEFS 2008: Gray Leaf Spot
Field and High Tunnel Hornworm Populations Following Bt Spray
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3-Jun 7-Jun 11-Jun 15-Jun 19-Jun 23-Jun 27-Jun 1-Jul 5-Jul 9-Jul 13-Jul 17-Jul 21-Jul 25-Jul 29-Jul
Time
Hor
nwor
m P
opul
atio
n
High Tunnel
Field
=Spraying of Bt in High Tunnel and Field
=Spraying of Bt in Field
Pesticide Retention
Soil Microclimate
• Soil ecosystems can be affected by tunnel microclimate.– Soil moisture
• Fluxations
– Temperature• Solarization
– Physical characteristics
– Biological properties
– Salinity / LeachingRemoval of plastic for leaching
Soil Moisture - CEFS 2007
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Soil
Wat
er C
onte
nt (m
3/m
3)
FieldTunnel
* - Modified for broken sensor in rep C of field.
= >.25” rain
Rain events increased soil moisture in the field
Soil Moisture - CEFS 2008
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Dai
ly A
vg S
oil W
ater
Con
tent
FieldTunnel
Daily average soil mositure fluxuations
Breakdown of Non-Marketable Fruit: CEFS, 2008
SYSTEM EFFECT
High Tunnel vs. Field System
Systems Effects on Fruit Quality
S. O’Connell (MS Thesis)
Main System Effects: CEFS 2007
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30-M
ay
6-Jun
13-Ju
n
20-Ju
n
27-Ju
n
4-Jul
11-Ju
l
18-Ju
l
25-Ju
l
1-Aug
8-Aug
Cum
ulat
ive
Tota
l Yie
ld (l
bs/p
lot)
TunnelField
25 days
Systems Effects on Fruit Yield
CEFS - 2007
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30-M
ay
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13-Ju
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4-Jul
11-Ju
l
18-Ju
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Cum
ulat
ive
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l Yie
ld (l
bs/p
lot
03/20 - Tunnel04/03 - Tunnel04/19 - Tunnel
Planting Date
21 days
Planting DatePlanting Date in High Tunnels: CEFS - 2008
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Tota
l yie
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bs/p
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4-Mar18-Mar17-Apr
Catfacing in Tunnel - CEFS 2007
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Cat
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Planting Date
Catfacing: Main Effects in Tunnel - CEFS 2007
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Plant Date Rootstock
Cat
face
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otal
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it Yi
eld
(by
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nd n
umbe
r)Fruit WeightFruit Number
NSP<0.01Fruit Number
NSP<0.01Fruit Weight
Soil Solarization
• Thermal inactivation– Soilborne plant pathogens– Insects– Weeds
• Efficacy– Temperature– Exposure time– Soil Depth
(Katan et al., 2003)
2007 Solarization: Maximum Temperatures
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23-Aug 28-Aug 2-Sep 7-Sep 12-Sep 17-SepTemperature (F)
Field Air (F)Field Soil (F)Tunnel Air (F)Tunnel Soil (F)
2007 Solarization: Minimum Temperatures
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23-Aug 28-Aug 2-Sep 7-Sep 12-Sep 17-SepTemperature (F)
Field Air (F)Field Soil (F)Tunnel Air (F)Tunnel Soil (F)
2007 Solarization: Daily Avg Temperatures
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23-Aug 28-Aug 2-Sep 7-Sep 12-Sep 17-SepTemperature (F)
Field Air (F)Field Soil (F)Tunnel Air (F)Tunnel Soil (F)
Rye/Vetch cover crops inside the high tunnel
Winter Microclimate
• Cover crops• Winter vegetable production• Will tunnel microclimate allow for both?• Leaching / fallow period
CEFS 2009: Daily Minimum Temperature
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Air
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pera
ture
(F)
FieldTunnel
CEFS 2009: Daily Maximum Temperature
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Air
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FieldTunnel
CEFS 2009: Daily Average Temperature
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Air
Tem
pera
ture
(F)
FieldTunnel
Cover Crops
54.28.51589.1721.8Field
83.29.8329.43749.4High Tunnel
(lbs/acre)VetchRye
Available NC:N
Biomass (lbs/acre)
• Will tunnels provide enough season extension for successful double-cropping?
• Can we find cover crops that can be squeezed between summer and winter crops?
• How can we predict night time temperatures?
• What dynamics do air temperature have on crop growth?
Discussion