Articles
LIGHT INTENSITY AND FRUIT QUALITY UNDER HAIL PROTECTION NETS
Article number
557_56
Pages
421 – 426
Language
English
Abstract
The effect of hail netting on light penetration and fruit quality was evaluated in commercial apple orchards in Eastern Switzerland.
Black nets reduced light levels (PAR) by 18 to 25 %, white netting by 8 to 12 % and grey nets (black and white fibres) by 15 to 17 %. No definite influence of black hail nets on maturity and fruit quality has been observed under good conditions (weather, site, small trees with loose canopies, optimal fruit load, etc.) and with varieties for which fruit colour is mainly genetically determined.
For ‘Jonagold’ the light intensity is decisive for development of fruit colour.
Reduced colour development under black nets may be observed on this variety.
The harvest time can be delayed by 8 to 10 days.
Flesh firmness, soluble solids content and acidity were not affected.
In general the external and internal fruit quality depends on many other factors which are more important than the effect of hail netting.
Black nets reduced light levels (PAR) by 18 to 25 %, white netting by 8 to 12 % and grey nets (black and white fibres) by 15 to 17 %. No definite influence of black hail nets on maturity and fruit quality has been observed under good conditions (weather, site, small trees with loose canopies, optimal fruit load, etc.) and with varieties for which fruit colour is mainly genetically determined.
For ‘Jonagold’ the light intensity is decisive for development of fruit colour.
Reduced colour development under black nets may be observed on this variety.
The harvest time can be delayed by 8 to 10 days.
Flesh firmness, soluble solids content and acidity were not affected.
In general the external and internal fruit quality depends on many other factors which are more important than the effect of hail netting.
Authors
A. Widmer
Keywords
apple, Malus, hail netting, light levels, PAR, external and internal fruit quality
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