Investigation and utilization of solar energy for heating greenhouse sweet melon during winter season

الملخص EN

The aim of this experimental work was to investigate the effect of utilizing solar energy for heating greenhouse on growth, development, productivity, and fruit quality of three different hybrid of sweet melon crop (Yathreb 7, Yathreb 8 and Yathreb 22) during winter of two following growing seasons (2008 and 2009).

Two similar gable-even-span greenhouses were functioned at EL-Sabahia Horticultural Research Station to grow and produce sweet melon crop.

The three hybrids crop were planted on December during the two growing seasons under two different greenhouse microclimates.

The first greenhouse (G1) was equipped with a complete heating system utilizing the solar energy, while, the second greenhouse (G2) was mechanically ventilated during daylight without heating system.

The obtained results revealed that, the maximum and minimum indoor air temperatures of (G1) during January, February, March, and April, respectively, were 26.1 and 12.9ºC, 28.0 and 15.7ºC, 28.6 and 16.4ºC, and 30.6 and 17.1ºC.

Whereas, the maximum and minimum indoor air temperatures of (G2) during the same period were 26.8 and 6.3ºC, 28.0 and 10.8ºC, 30.4 and 13.5ºC, and 32.6 and 15.3ºC, respectively.

The obtained data also showed that, the microclimatic conditions of (G1) was at and around the optimal level for the sweet melon crop, resulting in increase the growth, development, and productivity of crop.

The increase percentages in fruit yield were 18.35 and 27.59% in the first and second year, respectively.