Abstract

During two vegetative cycles the evolution of two vegetative indexes accurately defines the metabolic changes produced during the various phenological stages in crops. Culture conditions and the characteristics of the species used led to high optimal ranges. The value of these optimal ranges cannot be considered as static, since it defines a critical area which varies throughout the whole biological cycle and which is established in terms of the nutritional dynamics of each species. The optimal range of both vegetative indexes allows us to precisely quantify the nutritional state of the crop and to correct possible anomalies before they become irreparable. Optimal range for vegetative index in horticultural crops is: Tomato (1.29-1.37); Pepper (1. 13-1.23); Cucumber (1.16-1.22); Navy bean (1.28-1.44); Muskmelon (0.77-0.78); Watermelon (0.84-0.86).