Sylvie Jenni¹,Martine Dorais¹ , and Katrine A. Stewart^2
1 Centre de Recherche et Développement en Horticulture Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada430 Boul. Gouin, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Qc J3B 3E6
²Department of Plant Science, Macdonald Campus of McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V.

Abstract: Unheated high tunnels have been shown to extend the growing season in both spring and fall for a range of crops. This experiment examined the microclimate (temperature relative humidity, solar radiation and leaf wetness) in a high tunnel with 4 bays. The growth of two pepper cultivars Early Sunsation and Admiral were compared under the high tunnel and in the open field. Temperatures were higher, relative humidity and solar radiation lower in the tunnels than in the field. Leaves in the tunnel were wetter for approximately 3 hours more per days than those in the field. Peppers were planted 10 days and harvested 13 days earlier in the high tunnels than in the field. The early production of coloured fruit (number and weight) was three times as high (P < 0.001) in the first two pickings in the tunnels, as compared with the open field. Although the tunnels did not affect the total yield of coloured fruit, yields of green fruit were 3.8 times as high (P < 0.01) as in the open field. Yields of Early Sunsation was 32% higher (P < 0.01) than that of Admiral. Yields in the tunnels would have been higher save for extensive floral abortion due to a significant water deficit (soil tension readings less than -45 cb) on three occasions during flowering.

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