Guide to Sheltered Vegetable Cultivation in the Humid Tropics

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