Climatic Conditions in Tomato Screenhouses in Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Abstract

The Canary Islands has 6,700 ha of protected cultivation, mainly tomato and banana. Of this area, 5,000 ha are screenhouses. These structures are used mainly as wind protection. However, they do not protect against rain or extremely low humidity conditions from the nearby Sabara Desert. There is little data on the microclimate of these structures. The aim of this study is the characterization of five year recorded climatic conditions (temperature, relative· humidity, radiation, wind) inside and outside commercial screenhouses for tomato production in Tenerife (Canary Islands). Small differences were observed in temperature and humidity between the inside and outside of the screenhouses. Mean daily temperatures were only 1 ºC warmer inside than outside. Maximum daily temperatures were 2-3ºC higher inside. Minimum temperatures were similar inside and outside. Radiation measurements showed that radiation under screen was 30% (clean screens) - 50% (dust, dirty screens) lower than external values. Temperature, vapour pressure deficit and radiation behaviour on representative days are shown.