Agronomic evaluation of an innovative covering thermal PE/PA film: two years of research on tomato (Lcopersicon esculentum Mill.)
2014
After five years of experiment on plastic films containing polyamide, the third generation of these films was developed and evaluated on tomato crop, compared with a co-extruded LDPE/EVA polymer. This new film called Elios, maintained the mechanical and optical characteristics of the previous ones: high IR effectiveness (at same thickness of 180 µm, 95% while PVC has 86% and EVA 70%), elevated resistance to high temperatures, good resistance to dusting. Elios showed the ability to reduce the highest temperatures during the day while at the same time increased the temperatures during the night reducing in this way the difference between day and night and providing better environmental conditions for the plants. Moreover Elios reduced the relative humidity levels inside the tunnel, and this allowed to lower the risk of fungal diseases. The trials carried out over two years, checked these properties and the effects of Elios on production and commercial quality of tomato. Elios confirmed the thermal properties and the reduction of relative humidity. Moreover, it showed a production always higher than control, especially at the beginning of the harvest cycle, pointing out a good capacity of anticipate production. Finally, Elios didn’t present any difference in the commercial quality of fruits.
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