Influence of different heating systems on the development, production and quality of a tomato crop

It has analyzed the influence of two heating systems (hot water and hot air), on the development, fruit quality and production, in two cycles autumn-winter tomato crop, during agricultural season 2011/2012 and 2012/2013. The tests were carried out in three multitunnel and one Almeria greenhouse; in the experimental farm of the University of Almeria. We used a tomato crop as it is the most widely used in the area, comparing two heating systems against natural ventilation. In both agricultural season campaigns consumption derived from each of the systems used were measured. The results show that in seasons which the crop was exposed to temperatures below 8 degrees C for extended periods of time, it has observed differences in growth and crop production, favorable results being heated greenhouses, no differences among them. By contrast, in seasons which this exposure to low temperatures is not extended, no favorable results were obtained. Consumption in relation to the output gap, have not justified the use of any heating system. As for the types of structures studied, there have been major differences in the results of the analysis of the quality of the fruits and the final production, obtaining a better response of these parameters in the multitunel structure in all cases.