All fruit tree varieties have been developed by geneticists for open ground cultivation and production. Therefore, if we protect them with netting or plastic, we modify the microclimate surrounding the tree and produce changes, which can be positive or negative. Everything will depend on the technical qualities of the chosen cover and the subsequent management of the crop and the cover.
Agralia, in a constant search for new and innovative technologies to improve the productive management of the fruit business, has developed Agricover©.
Agricover achieves a light transmission rate of 86-90% between the wavelengths of 600-800 nm, which are the fundamental ones for the photosynthesis. The polymers from which it is made prevent the rapid loss of light transmission, with a maximum loss of 1.5 to 2% per year. Also, the light diffusion produced by Agricover transforms the direct light which naturally reaches the foliage into the right amount of diffused light. This makes it possible to illuminate areas of the plants that would otherwise remain in shade, improving the efficiency of net photosynthesis and facilitating uniformity in plant development and fruit ripening. Thanks to the adequate amount of diffused light produced by Agricover, it is also possible to save 25-30% in water and fertilizers.
The diffusion of light and, therefore, the diffusion of radiation, prevents excessive heating of the upper part of the plant, because it distributes the radiation uniformly, improving firmness, color and sugar content in the fruit.
Agricover blocks an average of 86.2% of long wave IR and this considerably reduces the effect of thermal inversion, keeping the air mass under the cover at a higher temperature than the surrounding air, thereby providing an anti-freeze effect. By keeping the leaves at a higher temperature than the surrounding air, no water condensation occurs on them, so the leaf remains dry, which reduces the risk of cryptogamic diseases and pseudomonas. The higher temperature achieved accelerates the plant's development processes and therefore the precocity, bringing the harvest forward by 4 to 10 days, depending on the geographical area and the variety.
Agricover is a fabric laminated on both sides. This feature prevents dust and moisture from penetrating, which would cause the loss of transmittance. This allows the cover to convey more light for a longer period of time.
Research carried out at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia using a computer program that reproduces a virtual wind tunnel has shown that Agricover can withstand wind shocks of up to 120 km/h.
For more information:
Agralia España
Plaza Urquinaona 6, 10D
08010 Barcelona. Spain
Tel.: +34 93 511 31 67
Agralia Chile
Camino Sarmiento Curicó 201, Región del Maule
Tel.: +56 98 450 71 74
[email protected]
www.agraliagroup.com