Abstract:
The light conversion agent VTR-660 has many benefit characteristics. For example, its band coverage area is larger and it has a higher match between the emission spectrum of high red light and the chlorophyll absorption spectrum compared with other light conversion agents. And broadband ultraviolet-to-red light conversion plastic film added with VTR-660 (F3) has similar characteristics such as a higher match between the emission spectrum of high red light and the chlorophyll absorption spectrum. Moreover, the bandwidth of its emission spectrum is increased in high red light, and it has a higher rate of infrared transmission and a lower rate of ultraviolet transmission than the traditional inner-added EVA (polyethylene-polyvinyl acetate copolymer) anti-fog film (F1) and coated persistent drip anti-aging anti-fog film (F2). Moreover, the broadband ultraviolet-to-red light conversion plastic film can improve the temperature and light environment in the greenhouse, increase the yield per hectare and improve the quality of the tomato crop. In this work, the optical properties and the mechanical characteristics and heat preservation properties of the broadband ultraviolet-to-red light conversion plastic film added with VTR-660 were studied. The effect of the broadband ultraviolet-to-red light conversion plastic film on the yield and quality of tomato in the solar greenhouse was also investigated. The experiment in the greenhouse was conducted from November, 2016 to June, 2017 at the Agriculture Research and Demonstration Station, Shizuishan Village, Yinchuan County, Ningxia. The tomato cultivar (Meifen 869) and full steel frame unsupported winter-warm solar greenhouse (length of 90 m, inner span of 9 m, ridge height of 4 m) were selected as the test cultivar and greenhouse type, respectively. The treatments included solar greenhouse covered with traditional inner-added EVA anti-fog film as control (T1), solar greenhouse covered with coated persistent drip anti-aging anti-fog film (T2) and solar greenhouse covered with broadband ultraviolet-to-red light conversion plastic film added with VTR-660 (T3). The mechanical properties of the laminate (tensile, longitudinal/transverse elongating, and right-angle tearing strength), the transmittance of ultraviolet, visible and infrared light of the laminate, the temperature (average air temperature for day and month and 10-cm deep soil temperature), and the light intensity were measured in the solar greenhouse, and the yield and quality of tomato were considered under the different sample films and treatments. In comparison with F1, the tensile strength and right-angle tearing strength (vertical) of F3 were significantly (P<0.05) increased by 30.72% and 7.20%, respectively; the ultraviolet transmittance rate of F3 was significantly (P<0.05) decreased by 49.21%, and the infrared transmittance rates of the 4000-1430, 1430-770 and 770-400 cm-1 bands of F3 were significantly (P<0.05) increased by 13.69%, 61.78% and 41.83%, respectively. In comparison with T1, the tomato yield of T3 was significantly (P<0.05) increased by 25.71% and the vitamin C and lycopene of the fruit were increased by 11.11% and 33.04%, respectively. The nitrite content of tomato under T3 treatment was significantly (P<0.05) decreased by 51.35%. Overall, the broadband ultraviolet-to-red light conversion plastic film added with VTR-660 was found to improve the rate of infrared transmission, and covering this film could improve the temperature, and increase tomato yield and fruit quality in the solar greenhouse. The research can provide an important theoretical basis for the development of light conversion plastic film in the production of tomato in the future.