Part I. Specificities of sheltered cultivation
Shelters in the humid Tropics 11
Presentation of sheltered cultivation 11
Definitions 11
Pros and cons of sheltered cultivation 11
Species suitable for sheltered cultivation 13
Shelter structure 13
Framework 13
Size 14
Straight sides 14
Floor slope 14
Cover 15
Ventilation 16
Cooling systems 17
Plant water requirements with sheltered cultivation 19
Water quality 19
Chemical quality 19
Biological quality 19
Water quantity requirements 20
Setting up nurseries 23
Location 23
Nursery structure 23
Sowing techniques 24
Compost blocks 24
Sowing on sand 24
Sheltered cultivation in soil 26
Main soil types and constraints 26
Vertisols 26
Ferrallitic soils 27
Allophanes (andosols) and halloysites 28
Soil-borne parasite management 28
Limiting infection potential 28
Corrective measures 29
Weed control 30
Soil disinfection 30
Herbicides 30
Plastic mulch 32
Irrigation of sheltered crops 32
Fertilization 32
Equipment 32
Fertilizer scheme 33
Soilless culture on a substrate 35
Choice between planting in soil and without soil 35
Planting in soil 35
Soilless culture 36
Substrate and containers used for soilless culture 36
Irrigating soilless culture containers 39
Application splitting up 39
Programming irrigation 39
Application to tomato growing 40
Nutrient solution 40
Composition 40
Correcting irrigation water pH 41
Preparing nutrient solutions 42
Checks on the nutrient solution applied 43
Phytosanitary protection: integrated pest management (IPM) 46
Rules for applying phytosanitary treatments 47
Specific case of sheltered cultivation 48
Part II. Individual data sheets on vegetable species
Courgette (Curcubita pepo L.) 53
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) 55
French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) 58
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) 60
Melon (Cucumis melo L.) 63
Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) 67
Spring onion or Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum) 70
Strawberry (Fragaria spp.) 72
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) 74
Annex 1.
List of insecticides and acaricides used for integrated pest management 82
Annex 2.
List of the main fungicides used for integrated pest management 85
Annex 3.
List of the main insecticides, acaricides and fungicides used on sheltered crops in the humid Tropics, with composition and manufacturer 88
Bibliography 90
