Articles
Effects of hail nets and reflective ground covers on microclimate and evapotranspiration demand in an apple orchard
Article number
1327_85
Pages
647 – 654
Language
English
Abstract
The microclimate in apple orchards is often manipulated by the use of nets against hail and/or by the presence of reflective strips, which enhance fruit color before harvest.
Nets and strips cause micrometeorological changes that affect plant-environment interactions and potential evapotranspiration (ETp). In this report, the magnitude of these measures has been investigated by means of the FAO-PM equation fitted using data collected within the orchard.
The experiment has been carried out in a drip irrigated apple orchard (‘Nicoter’ on M9) located in the Province of Bolzano (Italy), with a density of 4167 trees ha-1. During summer 2020, continuous measurements of meteorological data under and outside the nets were performed via two in-situ mini weather stations.
Records also include the pre-harvest period, when reflective white strips have been laid on the soil surface in the alleys.
In summer, hail nets reduced vapor pressure deficit by almost half.
Wind speed and daily average air temperature were slightly affected by the hail nets.
PAR and net radiation decreased by 26 and 21% respectively, whereas a strong increase by 48% of relative humidity was observed.
Overall, a reduction of the ETp by 22% was detected under the nets.
As for the effect of ground reflective strips, they slightly increased temperature in the orchard and reduced both Net radiation and the ETp, when compared to non-covered orchard sites.
Such effects were mainly detected around midday.
The preliminary results showed that the presence of hail nets and reflective strips affect the microclimatic conditions around the tree canopy, reducing the orchard’s water demand and consequently its irrigation requirements.
Nets and strips cause micrometeorological changes that affect plant-environment interactions and potential evapotranspiration (ETp). In this report, the magnitude of these measures has been investigated by means of the FAO-PM equation fitted using data collected within the orchard.
The experiment has been carried out in a drip irrigated apple orchard (‘Nicoter’ on M9) located in the Province of Bolzano (Italy), with a density of 4167 trees ha-1. During summer 2020, continuous measurements of meteorological data under and outside the nets were performed via two in-situ mini weather stations.
Records also include the pre-harvest period, when reflective white strips have been laid on the soil surface in the alleys.
In summer, hail nets reduced vapor pressure deficit by almost half.
Wind speed and daily average air temperature were slightly affected by the hail nets.
PAR and net radiation decreased by 26 and 21% respectively, whereas a strong increase by 48% of relative humidity was observed.
Overall, a reduction of the ETp by 22% was detected under the nets.
As for the effect of ground reflective strips, they slightly increased temperature in the orchard and reduced both Net radiation and the ETp, when compared to non-covered orchard sites.
Such effects were mainly detected around midday.
The preliminary results showed that the presence of hail nets and reflective strips affect the microclimatic conditions around the tree canopy, reducing the orchard’s water demand and consequently its irrigation requirements.
Authors
A. Ben Abdelkader, M. Tagliavini, D. Zanotelli
Keywords
evapotranspiration, hail nets, water management, fruit trees, reflective ground cover
Groups involved
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Ornamental Plants
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Postharvest and Quality Assurance
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Division Sustaining Horticulture in a Changing World
- Working Group Humulus and Other Cannabaceae
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