Smart Glass Film Reduced Ascorbic Acid in Red and Orange Capsicum Fruit Cultivars without Impacting Shelf Life

Abstract

Smart Glass Film (SGF) is a glasshouse covering material designed to permit 80% transmission of photosynthetically active light and block heat-generating solar energy. SGF can reduce crop water and nutrient consumption and improve glasshouse energy use efficiency yet can reduce crop yield. The effect of SGF on the postharvest shelf life of fruits remains unknown. Two capsicum varieties, Red (Gina) and Orange (O06614), were cultivated within a glasshouse covered in SGF to assess fruit quality and shelf life during the winter season. SGF reduced cuticle thickness in the Red cultivar (5%) and decreased ascorbic acid in both cultivars (9–14%) without altering the overall morphology of the mature fruits. The ratio of total soluble solids (TSSs) to titratable acidity (TA) was significantly higher in Red (29%) and Orange (89%) cultivars grown under SGF. The Red fruits had a thicker cuticle that reduced water loss and extended shelf life when compared to the Orange fruits, yet neither water loss nor firmness were impacted by SGF. Reducing the storage temperature to 2 °C and increasing relative humidity to 90% extended the shelf life in both cultivars without evidence of chilling injury. In summary, SGF had minimal impact on fruit development and postharvest traits and did not compromise the shelf life of mature fruits. SGF provides a promising technology to block heat-generating solar radiation energy without affecting fruit ripening and marketable quality of capsicum fruits grown during the winter season.

Green-Light Wavelength-Selective Organic Solar Cells Based on Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and Naphthobisthiadiazole-Containing Acceptors toward Agrivoltaics

“…It is well known that the intensity and its absorption by plants affect the growth of agricultural crops. − However, the influence of green-light wavelength-selective OSC films on plant growth remains unclear. Thus, using gas exchange experiments, the photosynthetic rate of strawberry leaves (as representative plants for greenhouse cultivation) was evaluated under sunlight that was irradiated through the prepared OSC devices.…”

Light blocking film in a glasshouse impacts Capsicum annuum L. yield differentially across planting season

“…Two weeks after transplantation, two stems from each plant were selected and trellised onto plastic strings supported by a high-wire system. Plants were grown according to commercial practices of hydroponic production of vegetables in greenhouses under non-limiting water and nutrient (EC: 2.5 dS m −1 –3.0 dS m −1 , pH: 5.0–5.5) conditions at [CO 2 ] (489.6 μl l −1 and 476.6 μl l −1 daytime average), temperature (25.3/19.3 and 25.2/19.3°C day/night average), RH (74.2/72.9% and 74.2/77.5%, day/night average) and natural light for AE and SE, respectively ( He et al., 2022 ). The environmental variables, including temperature, relative humidity, and CO 2 concentration at canopy level, were monitored in all glasshouse compartments at 5-minute intervals.…”

Potassium transport and use efficiency for sustainable fertigation in protected cropping

“…In contrast, low humidity increases vapour pressure deficit in leaves that will reduce stomatal opening and photosynthesis (Ahmed et al, 2019). Low light and high light affect greenhouse crop yield that is partial related to the reduced accumulation of K in plant (Babla et al, 2023; He et al, 2022). High and low temperatures influence stomatal movement, which in turn influences growth, transpiration, photosynthesis and yield (Babla et al, 2023; Rabbi et al, 2019).…”

“…High and low temperatures influence stomatal movement, which in turn influences growth, transpiration, photosynthesis and yield (Babla et al, 2023; Rabbi et al, 2019). Some modern glasshouse facilities incorporate specialized glass technologies and efficient cooling systems, which have the potential to reduce power use (He et al, 2022). Therefore, these developments can facilitate the protected cropping sector in shifting to a sustainable and cost‐effective level of energy efficiency thereby maintaining crop quality, nutritional content and reducing adverse environmental impacts (Figure 1).…”