Caracterización de variables microclimáticas e invernaderos en los cantones Nabón, Santa Isabel y Chordeleg, y su relación con el desarrollo de cultivos de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

Tomato production (Solanum lycopersicum) in the cantons of Chordeleg, Santa Isabel and Nabón of the province of Azuay has been progressively extended, using under cover structures, however there is little knowledge regarding the relationship between the microclimate and the design of greenhouses with productivity of the crop. In the following study, microclimatic and design variables of thirteen greenhouses and their relationship with the physiological variables of tomato in the reproductive stage were characterized. First, temperature and relative humidity outside and inside were recorded for a week, next the physiological variables (plant height, diameter of stems and fruits) were measured, in the same way, each structure was measured and described. The correlations of the microclimatic variables with the physiological variables were analyzed. It was determined that the greenhouses located in highest areas had higher tomato production compared to those located at lower altitudes. The height and volume of the greenhouses influenced the temperature, highlighting its decrease as these two variables increase. It was found that, in general, the structures are not correctly optimized since there is a greater time interval in which the structures are outside the optimal temperature range for tomato production, if we compare it with their exterior temperature. In the same way, the other microclimatic variables present instability in their values, even so, a good performance is observed in structures that present these characteristics.