Photosynthetically active radiation in strawberry produced in stair-like containers

Summary

ABSTRACT In intensive hydroponic systems, such vertical and pyramidal systems, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and integrated (IPAR) may be intercepted by the containers and the leaf area of the plants grown in the upper strata, decreasing fruit yields and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of PAR and IPAR at different planting heights and the effect of geographic orientation and fruit yield and quality of strawberry produced in stair-like containers. The factors were four heights of the container (0.20, 0.50, 0.80 and 1.10 m) and two orientations (east and west). At each height and orientation of the container, PAR and IPAR, yield and fruit total soluble solids were measured. PAR and IPAR were statistically different at all heights evaluated and we