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Optical and climatic evaluation of a cool film cover greenhouse in the coastal region of Ecuador

Abstract:

The knowledge about optical and climatic characteristics of films used in greenhouses can involve an improvement in plant growth and yield under tropical conditions. In this work, we evaluated two types of cover films (cool and standard films) installed in experimental units, using the optical and climatic data recorded inside and outside. The optical analysis of the two cover films was carried out with a spectroradiometer. The climatic conditions inside and outside the experimental units were assessed through the use of different models of data loggers. The results obtained reported a decrease of transmittance and absorbance in the cool film respect to the standard film, being necessary to point out especially, the reduction of the transmittance of NIR and PAR regions related to the heating of the greenhouse and photosynthesis capacity, respectively. As far as climatic indoor characterization was concerned, the use of a standard film had a higher value of PAR, temperature and relative humidity compared to the cool film. Although the use of cool-film resulted in PAR decrease, it is necessary to highlight the importance of these films especially in terms of temperature and relative humidity decrease in the coastal region of Ecuador for an adequate plant growth.