This study aims to assess the influence of insect-proof screens installed in plastic greenhouses cultivated with tomato on the air temperature and crop yield. The experiment was conducted in Itajaí, SC, Brazil (27º 34' S; 48º 30' W), from 17/03 to 25/07/2003. Four greenhouses cultivated with tomato and all covered with polyethylene of low density (PEBD) in the superior part were used. Three of these environments were covered laterally, each one with a different kind of screen: clarite insect-proof screens (12 meshes per cm), citros insect-proof screens (25 meshes per cm) and afideo insect-proof screens (50 meshes per cm). The fourth environment did not receive any side coverage. The covered environment with afideo insect-proof screens on sides presented the highest maximum air temperatures during the autumn-winter period, causing a mean increase of 2.0 °C, in the daily mean temperature, compared with the environment without insect-proof screens. Variations of the air temperature in protected environments with citros insect-proof and clarite afideo insect-proof screens were similar, and showed 0.4 °C thermal gains in comparison with the without insect-proof screens, so promoting more regular thermal conditions during nights and days for cultivation of tomato during the autumn-winter period.
insect-proof screens; thermal gain; greenhouse; organic production
