Evaluation of Serrano Pepper Crops Growth under Controlled Conditions of Vapor Pressure Deficit in a Pilot-Scale Hydroponic Greenhouse

Abstract

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) has become an important field of study in recent years. The objective of this research is to evaluate the growth rate of the serrano pepper crop under controlled conditions of vapor pressure deficit in a pilot-scale hydroponic greenhouse. The controlled conditions were generated with the development of a control system composed of a non-mixed crossflow heat exchanger for internal temperature and a humidification system for internal humidity control. The comparison of variables and the growth rate of the crop was carried out in a controlled and a timed greenhouse. The best growth rate for serrano pepper cultivation was obtained under the following conditions: between 4.14 and 5.42 kPa with 0.251 and 0.225 cm/day in the controlled greenhouse. The results show that it is possible to obtain higher crop growth rates by controlling the vapor pressure deficit in a pilot-scale hydroponic greenhouse, using a heat exchanger for temperature control and a humidification control system. Controlling vapor pressure deficit can be a useful tool for agriculture in CEA.