A Soil Temperature/Short-Wave Radiation Growth Model for Butterhead Lettuce Under Protected Cultivation in Flanders |
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Authors: | Joost Salomez Georges Hofman |
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Institution: | Ghent University, Department of Soil Management and Soil Care , Gent, Belgium |
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Abstract: | The objective of this study was to provide Flemish greenhouse farmers an accurate growth model for butterhead lettuce, based on two environmental parameters, i.e. soil temperature and short-wave radiation. During two consecutive years, a total of 27 growth experiments were followed up, whereby head fresh weight (at a 14 d interval), soil temperature at 10 cm depth (on a half-hour basis), and short-wave radiation (14 d summation) were measured. Separate Gompertz functions, with either radiation or soil temperature as input variable, accurately modelled growth; but via a combined approach, an almost perfect fit (R2 = 0.91) between measured and simulated head fresh weight was obtained. This modelling approach provides lettuce growers a tool for the quantitative estimation of crop weight in relation to changes in soil temperature and short-wave radiation. Weather forecast (radiation) and managerial decisions (soil temperature), now serve as the input data of a scientifically based lettuce growth model. |
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Keywords: | gompertz asymptotic functions greenhouses growth Lactuca sativa L var capitata L lettuce short-wave radiation simulation soil temperature |
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