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The Use of Shading in Summer Crops of Tomatoes & Peppers
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| By Zvi Howard Wener- Chief Agronomist, Agro-Technical and Guidance Unit/zvi_howard.wener@zeraim.com |
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In Mediterranean climates we plant tomatoes and peppers almost all year round. In spring and especially in summer there are very high temperatures with very high amounts of light radiation. These conditions can create a great amount of stress on both seedlings and plants resulting in lower yields. Shading methods have been developed over the years to allow the plants to grow under better conditions and thereby improve the quality and yields of the crops.
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Plant protection guidelines for the coming summer season for growers of greenhouse tomatoes
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14/09/09
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As summer approaches we see an increase in the number of pests such as leaf miners, mites (Red spider mitesand Tomato russet mites), whitefly and various, caterpillars. Shadehouses planted in the spring, with developed foliage are liable to be attacked by leaf and soil diseases (Bacterial wilt and Verticillium Wilt in tomatoes). At the same time it is important to continue preventative treatment against leaf diseases by using one of the preventative solutions such as sulfur compounds for powdery mildew diseases and manganese compounds to prevent the development of Late blightearly blightand leaf mold.
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| Pollination in Melons |
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Flowers: Most melon varieties have male, female and perfect (male and female parts in the same flower) flowers. The staminate (male) flowers are on the main stem and they appear first. The lateral stems produce the pistillate (female) flowers and often the first node of the lateral branch has a perfect flower. To get fruit set there must be some aid to pollination because the pollen is large and sticky. Even in a perfect flower the heavy, sticky pollen tends to fall to the outside of the flower and not towards the pistil (female part). Therefore, bees are used to facilitate pollination and get fruit set.
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| Shading in Pepper Crops |
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By Zvi Howard Wener / Chief Agronomist / zviw@zeraim.com
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Israeli pepper crops that are planted in greenhouses and nethouses during the summer are covered with black shade-cloth immediately after planting. Israel has a Mediterranean type climate with very hot and dry summers. Crops that are planted during the summer months have to endure temperatures of 35°C and higher, as well as high levels of light radiation - around 2000 micro-einsteins (photoactive radiation).
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| Hollow Heart / Misshapen Fruit |
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By Zvi Howard Wener / Chief Agronomist / zviw@zeraim.com
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Hollow heart is a problem most likely to occur early in the season and when conditions alternate between wet and dry soil and / or hot and cold temperatures. Crown set fruit and seedless watermelons are more susceptible to hollow heart. Good pollination is important in preventing this disorder, particularly in seedless watermelon. Too much nitrogen and/or excessive water, especially during fruit set, can encourage hollow heart and bland flavor.
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| What causes misshapen (crooked) fruit in parthenocarpic cucumbers? |
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By Zvi Howard Wener / Chief Agronomist / zviw@zeraim.com
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| Indoor Squash and Pollination |
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By Zvi Howard Wener / Chief Agronomist / zviw@zeraim.com
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| Light and Radiation |
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By Zvi Howard Wener / Chief Agronomist / zviw@zeraim.com
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| Recommendations for growing Greenhouse Beit Alpha Cucumbers |
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Eng. Nabeel Gnayem - Extension Specialist,
Ministry of Agriculture - Israel
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| Blossom - End Rot in Tomato |
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| Translated from the web site www.shaham.moag.gov.il Hebrew version article by Omar Zeidan |
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