Summary
This field trial evaluated fog-cooling as a climate control strategy for hydroponic paprika cultivation in South Korea during summer. Fog-cooling treatment reduced greenhouse temperature by 2–3°C compared to uncontrolled conditions, maintaining temperatures below 35°C and humidity around 80%, which resulted in improved plant growth, increased average fruit weight (158–160 g), significantly higher fruit set (18.3–18.4 fruits per plant versus ~10 in controls) and marketable yield (5,890–6,027 kg/10a across both cultivars), and reduced fruit cracking. Fruit sugar content and flesh thickness were unaffected by the treatment.
Regional applicability
This study is specific to South Korean summer conditions in protected cultivation and may have limited direct applicability to United Kingdom horticulture, where summer temperatures and humidity dynamics differ substantially. However, the findings on fog-cooling as a temperature and humidity management strategy could inform design considerations for UK protected cropping systems managing heat stress during warm periods.
Key measures
Greenhouse temperature (°C), humidity (%), plant height, leaf number, average fruit weight (g), fruit set per plant (number), marketable yield (kg/10a), fruit sugar content (°Brix), flesh thickness, and fruit cracking rate (%)
Outcomes reported
The study measured the effects of fog-cooling on greenhouse temperature, humidity, plant growth parameters, fruit yield, and quality in two paprika varieties grown hydroponically on coir substrate during summer. Key outcomes included plant height, leaf number, average fruit weight, fruit set per plant, marketable yield, fruit sugar content, flesh thickness, and fruit cracking rate.
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