http://hdl.handle.net/10174/993 2026-03-28T02:40:48Z 2026-03-28T02:40:48Z Moreno-Teruel, M.A. Molina-Aiz, F.D. López-Martínez, A. Valera-Martínez, D.L. Peña-Fernández, A. Baptista, F.J. http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41400 2026-02-23T11:41:35Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Impact of a High-PAR-Transmittance Plastic Cover on Photosynthetic Activity and Production of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Crops in aMediterranean Solar Greenhouse Authors: Moreno-Teruel, M.A.; Molina-Aiz, F.D.; López-Martínez, A.; Valera-Martínez, D.L.; Peña-Fernández, A.; Baptista, F.J. Abstract: The optical properties of greenhouse cover materials play a critical role in controlling the internal light environment, directly affecting photosynthetic performance and crop productivity. This study evaluates the impact of a high photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance and high-light-diffusivity polyethylene film on the microclimate, photosynthetic activity, yield, and disease incidence of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) crops grown in a Mediterranean passive solar greenhouse. Trials were conducted over two consecutive autumn–winter seasons using a multi-span greenhouse divided into two sectors: one covered with an experimental high-transmittance film and the other with a standard commercial plastic. The experimental cover increased PAR transmission by 8.7% and 11.6% at canopy level in the first and second seasons, respectively, leading to improvements in leaf-level net photosynthesis of 9.3% and 17.9%. These effects contributed to yield increases of 5.0% and 17.3% in the respective seasons. The internal air temperature rose by up to 1.3 ◦C without exceeding critical thresholds, and no significant differences were observed in plant morphology or fruit quality between treatments. Additionally, the experimental film reduced the incidence of major fungal diseases, particularly under higher disease pressure conditions. The use of high-PAR-transmittance films enhances radiation use efficiency and crop performance in resource-limited environments without increasing energy inputs. This approach offers a sustainable, low-cost strategy to improve yield and disease resilience in protected cropping systems under passive climate control.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Dias, A.B. Falcão, J. Pinheiro, A. Peça, J. http://hdl.handle.net/10174/39870 2025-12-14T19:34:59Z 2023-02-28T00:00:00Z

Title: Evaluation of the influence of mechanical pruning in the performance of the row-side continuous canopy shaking harvester prototype Authors: Dias, A.B.; Falcão, J.; Pinheiro, A.; Peça, J. Editors: Sankaran, S.; Rousseau, D. Abstract: In high density olive orchards, mechanical harvesting is made by trunk shaking requiring a high demand of manual labour. The use of adapted over-the-row grape harvesters is not available in these groves due to large canopies dimension. A prototype based on the side row concept was developed. The prototype comprises two symmetrical harvesters trailed by a farm tractor. Each harvester has a vibratory rotor with flexible rods, a catching platform with conveyor belts delivering fruits to a temporary storage bag. From 2015 to 2018, authors carried out a trial to evaluate the adequacy of olive canopy based on mechanical pruning in the performance of the prototype. The trial was established in an irrigated olive orchard of the ‘Picual’ cultivar planted with the array 7×3.5 m. In a randomized complete block design with three replications, three treatments are being compared leading to 9 plots with 30 trees plot-1. The treatments under study are: T1 – mechanical pruning: topping the canopy parallel to the ground at 3.5 m high in 2015 and 3.3 m in 2017; hedging the two sides of the canopy in 2015 at 1.4 m from the tree trunk; T2 – mechanical pruning: topping the canopy parallel to the ground at 3.5 m high in 2015 and 3.3 m in 2017; hedging the two sides of the canopy in 2015 at 1.0 m from the tree trunk; T3 – mechanical pruning + manual pruning complement: topping the canopy parallel to the ground at 3.5 m high in 2015 and 3.3 m in 2017; hedging the two sides of the canopy in 2015 at 1.0 m from the tree trunk; manual pruning complement in 2015 to remove wood in the external faces of the canopy and in 2017 to remove wood suckers inside the canopy. Regarding the olive removal efficiency, significant differences were registered between years, but no significant differences were found among treatments in each year.

2023-02-28T00:00:00Z Aragon-Rodriguez, Fernando Dias, António B. Pinheiro, Anacleto Peça, José Dias, Ivo Lourenço Castro_Garcia, Sérgio http://hdl.handle.net/10174/39865 2025-12-14T19:33:36Z 2023-02-03T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessment of a Side-Row Continuous Canopy Shaking Harvester and Its Adaptability to the Portuguese Cobrançosa Variety in High-Density Olive Orchards Authors: Aragon-Rodriguez, Fernando; Dias, António B.; Pinheiro, Anacleto; Peça, José; Dias, Ivo Lourenço; Castro_Garcia, Sérgio Editors: He, Yong Abstract: The olive tree is an important crop in Portugal, where different levels of intensification coexist. The traditional olive orchards present profitability problems, mainly due to harvesting, so there has been a drastic reconversion towards high-density or super-high-density olive orchards. The latter present major constraints due to very specific needs for their use, being practically destined for new orchards. Consequently, the possibility of using systems based on canopy shakers in high density olive orchards with local varieties is promising. The objective of this work is to evaluate a prototype canopy shaker for the harvesting of high-density olive orchards of the Portuguese variety ‘Cobrançosa’. The evaluation is based on the study of canopy shaking in order to adapt canopy training and the adaptability of the machine. For this purpose, the vibration of 72 points of the tree canopy was recorded and a qualitative assessment of the harvest was carried out. Differences were found between the different zones according to the direction of the forward movement of the harvester and the distance to the trunk. These differences were associated with the values obtained for fruit detachment, and a greater quantity of fruit was harvested in the areas of the canopy in contact with the rods.

2023-02-03T00:00:00Z Dias, A.B. Donno, P. Reis, J. Falcão, J. Pinheiro, A. http://hdl.handle.net/10174/39858 2025-12-14T19:32:13Z 2023-04-29T23:00:00Z

Title: Influence of different pruning solutions in kernel production of a super high density almond orchard. Authors: Dias, A.B.; Donno, P.; Reis, J.; Falcão, J.; Pinheiro, A. Editors: Serra, S.; Lauri, P.-E. Abstract: The success of the super high density (SHD) system on olive production has been extended to almond orchards, where it is necessary to ensure adequate canopy dimensions for over-the-row harvesting machines. In an almond orchard from Soleta cultivar planted in September 2014 at Herdade da Torre das Figueiras in Monforte, Portalegre, Portugal (39°04’N, 07°29’W), a trial to evaluate different pruning solutions was established. Four treatments (T0, T1, T2, T3) were compared: T0 (farmer pruning) - summer pruning (mechanical pruning in 2018 and 2019, postharvest pruning (mechanical pruning in 2017) and winter pruning (manual pruning in 2018 and mechanical pruning followed by manual pruning in 2017); T1 – no pruning interventions in 2017 and manual pruning in 2018 and 2019; T2 – involving postharvest pruning (mechanical pruning in 2017, 2018 and 2019), and T3 - summer pruning (mechanical pruning in 2018 and 2019) and postharvest pruning (mechanical pruning in 2017). In 2018, manual winter pruning was carried out in the treatments mechanically pruned. Significant differences were registered in harvested kernel almond yield between years (2017-2019). In 2018, there were significant differences between treatments, with T0 recording a significantly lower almond kernel production harvested than those obtained by T2. However, in the average of 3 years, there were no significant differences between treatments.

2023-04-29T23:00:00Z