About Book

Vegetable crop production is the cultivation of vegetables for consumption and an important component of agricultural production. Vegetable crops are characterized not only by the great number of species but also by the diversity of cultivation techniques: open field, plastic tunnels and glasshouses with or without heating, allowing production in different seasons. The yield and the quality of the products are affected by these techniques. It identifies seed, plant characteristics, important pests of the major vegetable crops, describe the climate and soil requirements needed for raising good quality vegetable crops, define specific growth processes of each crop studied that leads to a harvestable product. It is a qualitative study which uses a number of statistics for exploring the effect of factors of soil and environment on winter vegetable productions. This book aims to equip students and experts with the advanced topics and upcoming concepts in this area such as horticultural practices and methods for crop improvement. It also includes application of insecticides, irrigation and drainage systems, weed management, morphological and physiological characteristics, hydroponic production systems, fertilization, health benefits and global warming. It presents researches that have transformed this discipline and aided its advancement. It is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts and emerging trends in this field of crop production. It studies, analyses and upholds the pillars of vegetable production and its utmost significance in modern times. For someone with an interest and eye for detail, this book covers the most significant topics in the field of vegetable crop production.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Introductory Chapter: Quality Vegetable Production and Human Health Benefits............................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................1

2. Human health benefits of quality vegetables..................................1

3. Production techniques of quality vegetables...................................3

4. Conclusion..............................................................................................4

Chapter 2 Potassium Fertilization in the Production of Vegetables and Fruits..............................................................................................................7

Abstract...................................................................................................7

1. Introduction............................................................................................8

2. Objectives................................................................................................9

3. Hydroponic cultivation of vegetables and fruits............................9

4. Nutrient solution management........................................................10

5. Potassium salinity in nutrient solution and its effects on

metabolism...........................................................................................14

6. Potassium affecting plant growth and yield.................................18

7. Cation dynamics in leaves and fruits of vegetables....................20

8. Changes in leaf proline protein induced by potassium.............24

9. Effect of potassium sources on the antioxidant activity.............26

10. Potassium increases crops quality...................................................29

11. Final considerations............................................................................30

Acknowledgements.............................................................................30

Chapter 3 Hydroponic Production Systems: Impact on Nutritional Status and Bioactive Compounds of Fresh Vegetables........................................35

Abstract.................................................................................................35

1. Introduction..........................................................................................35

2. Hydroponics and quality of vegetable produces.........................37

3. Conclusions..........................................................................................43

Acknowledgements.............................................................................44

Chapter 4 Root Growth, Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of

Subtropical and Temperate Vegetable Crops Grown in the Tropics

Under Different Root-Zone Temperature............................................49

1. Introduction..........................................................................................49

2. Effects of root-zone temperature on root morphology...............50

3. Effects of root-zone temperature on water relations...................55

4. Effects of root-zone temperature on NO3-uptake and

assimilation...........................................................................................57

5. Conclusions..........................................................................................62

Acknowledgements.............................................................................63

Chapter 5 Tomato Production with Cover Crops in Greenhouse....................70

Abstract ................................................................................................70

1 Introduction..........................................................................................71

2 Tomato production with cover crops, 2006–2012 .......................72

3 N dynamics in tomato production with HV.................................79

4 Proof study of tomato production with HV.................................85

Acknowledgements.............................................................................87

Chapter 6 Mulches for Weed Management in Vegetable Production ...........91

1. Introduction..........................................................................................91

2. Polyethylene mulch............................................................................94

3. Waste issues and mulches...............................................................104

4. Summary and conclusions..............................................................107

Chapter 7 Insectigation in Vegetable Crops: The Application of Insecticides

Through a Drip, or Trickle, Irrigation System ..............................116

1. Introduction........................................................................................116

2. History of drip chemigation...........................................................117

3. Effectiveness of insectigation..........................................................118

4. Advantages and disadvantages of insectigation.........................119

5. Drip chemigation system requirements and operation.............122

6. Injection pumps.................................................................................124

7. Insectigation and water management...........................................129

8. Conclusion..........................................................................................133

9. Glossary...............................................................................................135

Chapter 8 Crop Models as Decision Support Systems in Crop

Production ...............................................................................................139

1. Introduction........................................................................................139

2. Decisions and uncertainty...............................................................140

3. Crop models .....................................................................................141

4. Conclusion .........................................................................................165

5. Acknowledgement ...........................................................................166

Chapter 9 Nutrient Mobility and Availability with Selected Irrigation and Drainage Systems for Vegetable Crops on Sandy Soils .............173

1. Introduction........................................................................................173

2. Characteristics of sandy soils for vegetable production ..........174

3. Irrigation and drainage systems on sandy soils.........................176

4. Nutrient mobility and availability for vegetable production on

sandy soils .........................................................................................183

5. Conclusion..........................................................................................195

6. Acknowledgement ...........................................................................195

Chapter 10 Crop Production and Global Warming.............................................202

1. Introduction........................................................................................202

2. Effects of global warming on plant growth ...............................203

3. Water shortages, desertification, and tropical cyclones.............210

4. Countermeasures...............................................................................211

5. Conclusion .........................................................................................215

Citation......................................................................................................219

Index...........................................................................................................221

About Author

Rosemary Clegg received her Ph.D. in Agronomy from Kansas State University, Abbotsford. She is a Visiting Professor in various research universities across Europe and teaches courses on agronomy and crop science. She has authored and edited more than 60 articles, journal papers and book chapters in the field of agriculture. She has specialized in the production of oilseeds and several vegetable crops. Her academic interests lie in crop production and oilseeds processing technologies. She has been an invited speaker at numerous international conferences across the globe.