Simulation of leaf area, photosynthetic rate and dry matter production in greenhouse cucumber based on product of thermal effectiveness and photosynthetically active radiation

A greenhouse cucumber leaf area simulation model under two types of pruning mode was developed based on the accumulated product of thermal effectiveness and photosynthetically active radiation (TEP). Then a process based on greenhouse cucumber photosynthesis and dry matter production simulation model was developed by integrating the greenhouse cucumber leaf area simulation model. Experimental data of different varieties and substrates were used to validate the model. The results showed that using TEP can predict leaf area and total dry weight of greenhouse cucumber more accurately than the traditional growing degree days (GDD) based and specific leaf area (SLA) based model. This study supplies a new method for growth simulation of greenhouse crop.