Protected crops

We investigated aboveground and belowground plant responses to neighbors with varying degrees of relatedness from the early vegetative to fruiting stages. Cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and bell pepper (Capsicumannuum L.) were grown individually (C and B, respectively) and paired based on high (CC and BB) and low (CB) degrees of relatedness, in rhizoslides, pots, and a greenhouse. In the CB pairing, cherry tomato consistently exhibited enhanced net CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, height, stem diameter, dry, and increased root thickening.

Fifteen years of research and development aimed at the production of high-quality earlywinter strawberries in the Negev desert, are concluded. This goal required synchronization of seasonal yields with the peaks of the markets' demand, November− February. For this purpose, selected infra short-day (ISD) cultivars were used. Rooted plug plants with enhanced capacity of simultaneous fast vegetative growth and fruiting were produced. Production was carried out in greenhouses and various protocols aimed at yield enhancement were tested.