Extending the Capsicum Growing Season under Semi-Arid Climate by Using a Suitable Protected Cropping Structure
Carnarvon is a key horticultural district in Western Australia which is located approximately 900 km north of Perth and is characterised by a semi-arid climate. In Carnarvon, capsicum (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) is the second most important vegetable crop after tomato, with approximately...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Plant Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/14/4/68 |
| _version_ | 1797380664897568768 |
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| author | Giao N. Nguyen Neil Lantzke |
| author_facet | Giao N. Nguyen Neil Lantzke |
| author_sort | Giao N. Nguyen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Carnarvon is a key horticultural district in Western Australia which is located approximately 900 km north of Perth and is characterised by a semi-arid climate. In Carnarvon, capsicum (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) is the second most important vegetable crop after tomato, with approximately 3700 tonnes of capsicum fruit produced annually with a farm gate value of AUD 13.5 million. High temperatures, excessive sunlight, low air humidity, and strong wind in spring and summer are major impediments to the achievement of high yield and quality of capsicum in this region. Capsicums are usually planted between March (early autumn) and May (late autumn), and the harvest is usually finished by October (spring) of the same year when grown under shade net houses. However, the internal microenvironment in the shade net houses is sub-optimal for the crop in the early and late growing season due to excessive temperatures and low humidity, resulting in a shorter harvest window and lower production. This study was conducted to examine the possibilities to extend the cropping season for capsicum varieties (i.e., Chevello and Chevi) grown under the retractable roof production system (RRPS) and explore an alternative protected cropping structure that is more affordable and suitable to grow vegetable crops under Carnarvon weather conditions. Overall, the results showed that capsicums planted in February (planting 1) performed better than specimens planted later on in the season: planting 1 performed better and yielded the highest marketable fruit yield (102.6 t ha<sup>−1</sup>) compared to those planted in early April (planting 2, 72.5 t ha<sup>−1</sup>) and late May (planting 3, 36.1 t ha<sup>−1</sup>). The RRPS effectively mitigated the adverse weather conditions and provided a more optimised internal microenvironment for vigorous crop establishment in late summer and an extended harvest in late spring, leading to a higher marketable fruit yield per crop. The total soluble solids were cultivar-specific, with the Brix level of Chevello changing with planting time while those of Chevi remained constant. The study identifies the potential for an alternative protected cropping structure, i.e., the modified multi-span polytunnels. The technical feasibility and affordability of the alternative protected cropping structure is also discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:40:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-184f84ec8545441eb69b9e1330656061 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2037-0164 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:40:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Plant Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-184f84ec8545441eb69b9e13306560612023-12-22T14:15:31ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Plant Biology2037-01642023-10-0114492294810.3390/ijpb14040068Extending the Capsicum Growing Season under Semi-Arid Climate by Using a Suitable Protected Cropping StructureGiao N. Nguyen0Neil Lantzke1Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 262 South River Road, Carnarvon, WA 6701, AustraliaDepartment of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151, AustraliaCarnarvon is a key horticultural district in Western Australia which is located approximately 900 km north of Perth and is characterised by a semi-arid climate. In Carnarvon, capsicum (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) is the second most important vegetable crop after tomato, with approximately 3700 tonnes of capsicum fruit produced annually with a farm gate value of AUD 13.5 million. High temperatures, excessive sunlight, low air humidity, and strong wind in spring and summer are major impediments to the achievement of high yield and quality of capsicum in this region. Capsicums are usually planted between March (early autumn) and May (late autumn), and the harvest is usually finished by October (spring) of the same year when grown under shade net houses. However, the internal microenvironment in the shade net houses is sub-optimal for the crop in the early and late growing season due to excessive temperatures and low humidity, resulting in a shorter harvest window and lower production. This study was conducted to examine the possibilities to extend the cropping season for capsicum varieties (i.e., Chevello and Chevi) grown under the retractable roof production system (RRPS) and explore an alternative protected cropping structure that is more affordable and suitable to grow vegetable crops under Carnarvon weather conditions. Overall, the results showed that capsicums planted in February (planting 1) performed better than specimens planted later on in the season: planting 1 performed better and yielded the highest marketable fruit yield (102.6 t ha<sup>−1</sup>) compared to those planted in early April (planting 2, 72.5 t ha<sup>−1</sup>) and late May (planting 3, 36.1 t ha<sup>−1</sup>). The RRPS effectively mitigated the adverse weather conditions and provided a more optimised internal microenvironment for vigorous crop establishment in late summer and an extended harvest in late spring, leading to a higher marketable fruit yield per crop. The total soluble solids were cultivar-specific, with the Brix level of Chevello changing with planting time while those of Chevi remained constant. The study identifies the potential for an alternative protected cropping structure, i.e., the modified multi-span polytunnels. The technical feasibility and affordability of the alternative protected cropping structure is also discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/14/4/68gascoyne regiongreater geraldtonmid-west regionprotected croppingcravo greenhouse |
| spellingShingle | Giao N. Nguyen Neil Lantzke Extending the Capsicum Growing Season under Semi-Arid Climate by Using a Suitable Protected Cropping Structure International Journal of Plant Biology gascoyne region greater geraldton mid-west region protected cropping cravo greenhouse |
| title | Extending the Capsicum Growing Season under Semi-Arid Climate by Using a Suitable Protected Cropping Structure |
| title_full | Extending the Capsicum Growing Season under Semi-Arid Climate by Using a Suitable Protected Cropping Structure |
| title_fullStr | Extending the Capsicum Growing Season under Semi-Arid Climate by Using a Suitable Protected Cropping Structure |
| title_full_unstemmed | Extending the Capsicum Growing Season under Semi-Arid Climate by Using a Suitable Protected Cropping Structure |
| title_short | Extending the Capsicum Growing Season under Semi-Arid Climate by Using a Suitable Protected Cropping Structure |
| title_sort | extending the capsicum growing season under semi arid climate by using a suitable protected cropping structure |
| topic | gascoyne region greater geraldton mid-west region protected cropping cravo greenhouse |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/14/4/68 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT giaonnguyen extendingthecapsicumgrowingseasonundersemiaridclimatebyusingasuitableprotectedcroppingstructure AT neillantzke extendingthecapsicumgrowingseasonundersemiaridclimatebyusingasuitableprotectedcroppingstructure |