• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.192-201
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• 1999

This study was aimed to introduce the measurement of $CO_2$ concentration and leaf area index in the phytotron for predicting the effect of CO.E, light and leaf area index on the instantaneous photosynthetic rate of sweet pepper with the existing ASKAM model. Measurements were made in 2 semi-closed phytotron compartments in which three different $CO_2$ concentrations were applied at random. Plants were grown on containers with circulating nutrient solution at 21$^{\circ}C$ and 80-95% relative humidity. The model estimates crop net $CO_2$ uptake for short time intervals during the day based on short-term data of daily radiation, temperature and $CO_2$ concentration. During the photosynthesis measurements, $CO_2$ concentrations in both compartments and in the basement were measured every minute. This was also done for the flow of pure $CO_2$ into the compartment, global radiation, photosynthetic active radiation inside the compartment, temperature and relative humidity. Crop growth models summarize our knowledge on crop behavior and have as such a wide range of applications in analysis, crop management and thus as a farm management tool.