Yield and Chemical Composition of Chinese Cabbage in Relation to Thermal Regime as Influenced by Row Covers

Abstract

<jats:p>During three consecutive years of field experiments, three crop-covering treatments [noncovered (C), perforated polyethylene (PO, 500 holes/m<jats:sup>2</jats:sup>), and a nonwoven polypropylene (AO) sheet] were used to create different environmental conditions for growth of `Nagaoka 50' chinese cabbage [<jats:italic>Brassica rapa</jats:italic> L. (Pekinensis Group)]. The PO and AO treatments reduced solar irradiance and increased air and root temperatures compared to C plants. Plants were sampled five times each year from transplanting to harvest, and fresh and dry weights, yield at harvest, leaf pH, citric and ascorbic acid concentrations, and cell-wall fractions were determined. The PO floating row cover was the most beneficial for yield and chemical composition of chinese cabbage of the early spring crop in southern Spain, where environmental conditions during an unfavorable season can injure sensitive crops.</jats:p>

The Impact of Plant Essential Oils and Fine Mesh Row Covers on Flea Beetle (Chrysomelidae) Management in Brassicaceous Greens Production

“…Row covers are light fabrics or netting that cover the crop to form a physical barrier to a pest insect. The use of row covers in vegetable production was first introduced for season extension through the use of spun-bonded or perforated polyethylene blankets that raise the temperature 2–7 °C [ 33 , 34 ]. However, these same covers can be applied to limit insects’ access to vegetable crops.…”

Interactions of Sulfate with Other Nutrients As Revealed by H2S Fumigation of Chinese Cabbage

“…As sulfur deficiency is becoming a constraint to yield in many cropping systems throughout the world (Zhao et al, 1999 ) it is momentous to uncover the effects on other elements, which determine the nutritional quality of crops. Numerous members of the Brassicaceae family are used as food and oil crops worldwide and Chinese cabbage has an increasing importance in many developing countries (Kawashima and Soares, 2003 ; Rakow, 2004 ; Park et al, 2005 ) and is highly nutritious (Moreno et al, 2002 ; Kawashima and Soares, 2003 ; Di Noia, 2014 ).…”

Temperature determines size and direction of effects of elevated CO2 and nitrogen form on yield quantity and quality of Chinese cabbage

“…Chinese cabbage is characterised by (i) its high importance as a vegetable in many developing countries, especially in Asia and South America (Kawashima & Soares 2003;Rakow 2004;Park et al 2005); (ii) a high growth rate (Shahbaz et al 2010), which makes a strong response to e[CO 2 ] likely (Poorter 1993); (iii) high nutritional value (Moreno et al 2002;Kawashima & Soares 2003); and (iv) substantial cold resistance but poor heat tolerance (Sammis et al 1988), which makes global warming a crucial factor that must be studied. Nutrient deficiencies are widespread in developing countries; in particular zinc deficiency, which is associated with a number of chronic diseases (Chasapis et al 2011) and high child mortality in Asia, Africa and Latin America (Walker et al 2009).…”

“…), which makes a strong response to e[CO 2 ] likely (Poorter ); (iii) high nutritional value (Moreno et al . ; Kawashima & Soares ); and (iv) substantial cold resistance but poor heat tolerance (Sammis et al . ), which makes global warming a crucial factor that must be studied.…”