Elastomers and Composites

The Rubber Society of Korea (한국고무학회)
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Effect of Polycarbonate Covering Sheet on Greenhouse Indoor Environments and Growth Behavior of Cherry Tomatoes

  • Choi, Kyung Yun (Technical Research Center, Taekwang Newtec) ;
  • Kim, Soo Bok (Chungju Agricultural Technology Center) ;
  • Bae, Seokhu (Advanced Materials R&D Center, Korea Automotive Technology Institute) ;
  • Yoon, Jeong-Hwan (Advanced Materials R&D Center, Korea Automotive Technology Institute) ;
  • Yun, Ju-Ho (Advanced Materials R&D Center, Korea Automotive Technology Institute) ;
  • Kim, Namil (Technical Research Center, Taekwang Newtec)
  • Received : 2020.04.27
  • Accepted : 2020.05.22
  • Published : 2020.06.30
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Abstract

The effect of a greenhouse-covering material on its indoor environment and on the characteristics of cherry tomatoes grown in it was investigated. The conventional polyethylene (PE) film on the greenhouse roof was replaced by a polycarbonate (PC) sheet, while maintaining the main structural frame intact. Color changes and the formation of water droplets on the PC surface were avoided by applying coextrusion and coating layers. When compared to the PE greenhouse, the PC greenhouse enabled increased light transmittance and thus a higher indoor temperature during both summer and winter. The thermal insulating property of the PC sheet effectively reduced the heating loss by approximately 55% during winter. The cherry tomatoes grown in the PC greenhouse exhibited superior fruit characteristics in terms of size, weight, and sugar content. The total amount of cherry tomatoes produced per unit area (1,000 ㎡) in the PC greenhouse was found to be greater by approximately 19% compared to that in the PE greenhouse.

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