Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Citrus nursery production in California must be conducted under a controlled environment, such as a screenhouse, due to citrus greening disease. Unfortunately, the limited air movement inside a screenhouse creates a non-ideal condition for the growth of crops. In this study, several operational strategies were evaluated to determine the optimal conditions for growing newly grafted Tango mandarin Citrus reticulata Blanco trees inside a screenhouse. Furthermore, an evapotranspiration model was developed to understand the water usage inside the screenhouse by the plants. The results suggested that higher shade intensity generated lower heat radiation and evapotranspiration rates. Nonetheless, the shading level should be adjusted close to the light saturation point of the plants to maximize its benefit for plant growth. Coconut coir was found to be a better substrate compared to a commercial citrus mix due to its superior performance under drought conditions and ability to produce plants with bigger trunk diameters. Lastly, recirculating the water was encouraged for soilless systems since the practice was found to increase the water use efficiency and did not cause negative effects to the plants. These results, along with the model developed in this study, can be used to optimize future management practices in citrus nursery production.
Source: Technology in Horticulture
Institution: University of California, Davis
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4378380403