Assessment of a netting system for apple production in a Mediterranean semi-arid climate

Photoselective nets were used for protected apple cultivation system in a semi-arid Mediterranean climate in Lebanon.
For two seasons, blocks of trees from early bearing and late bearing cultivars were covered with nets in an experimental orchard and compared to uncovered blocks of trees in the same orchard.
Microclimate data were monitored throughout the seasons and pests scouting was performed weekly in both treatments.
The assessment of the protective netting system covered its impact on tree physiology and production indicators, postharvest fruit quality indicators, microclimate modification and its ability to exclude major insect pests without the use of insecticides.
Two years data collection and analysis seems to indicate that the netting system is a promising tool for a better quality fruit in both cultivars and an overall tree health with the opportunity of significantly reducing the need for pesticides.

XI International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates and I International Symposium on Nettings and Screens in Horticulture

A.M. Aoun

tree fruit production, nets, photoselective, apples, postharvest quality, light stress, codling moth

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1268.39