Photoselective Protective Netting Improves "Honeycrisp" Fruit Quality

Area of Science:

• Horticulture
• Agricultural Science
• Plant Physiology

Background:

• Semi-arid apple production faces challenges from high temperatures, wind, and excessive sunlight, impacting yield and fruit quality.
• Photoselective netting, initially for hail protection, can alter light spectrum and influence fruit characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify light quantity and quality under different colored photoselective nets compared to an uncovered control.
• To evaluate the impact of photoselective netting on "Honeycrisp" apple quality over two growing seasons.

Main Methods:

• Installation of pearl, blue, and red photoselective nets (≈20% shade) over a commercial "Honeycrisp" orchard.
• Measurement of light transmittance and scattering using a spectroradiometer.
• Collection and analysis of fruit quality parameters at harvest.

Main Results:

• All netting treatments reduced Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR), UV, blue, red, and far-red light compared to the control.
• Pearl netting increased scattered light; blue netting reduced red and far-red light.
• Red and blue nets resulted in more sunburn-free apples; red color development was lower under all nets.
• Bitter pit incidence decreased significantly under red netting in both years.

Conclusions:

• Photoselective netting can mitigate sunburn and bitter pit in "Honeycrisp" apples under semi-arid conditions.
• While reducing red color, netting generally maintained fruit quality and improved light management in orchards.
• Red and blue nets offer distinct benefits for reducing physiological disorders and improving marketable yield.