.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Return
Long-Term Effects of Conventional and Photoselective Net Systems on Yield, Fruit Quality, and Economic Performance in Mediterranean ‘Fuji’ Apple Orchards
.png){kind=icon}
OA
AI
S
S
M
M
F
V
S
M
DOI：10.3390/horticulturae12080996.png)
.png){kind=icon}
Original request for help.png){kind=icon}
Share.png){kind=icon}
Save
Abstract
En 中文
Protective net systems are increasingly used in Mediterranean apple orchards to mitigate climate-related production risks, yet their long-term agronomic and economic performance remains insufficiently documented. This study evaluated five protective net systems (black, grey, white, red, and yellow) and an uncovered control over six consecutive growing seasons (2020–2025) in a Mediterranean ‘Fuji’ apple orchard. Vegetative growth, reproductive development, yield, fruit quality, sunburn incidence, and economic performance were assessed under contrasting seasonal conditions. Yield ranged from 27 to 69 t ha−1 and was strongly correlated with fruit number per tree (r = 0.90, p < 0.001), whereas net type did not significantly affect fruit number, mean fruit weight, or yield. Black nets reduced predicted sunburn incidence by 64% relative to the uncovered control (from 25.7% to 9.3%), promoted the greatest cumulative annual shoot growth (39.4 m tree−1), and achieved the highest average final revenue among the evaluated treatments (€28,038 ha−1 yr−1). Under two assumed hail-damage scenarios (moderate and severe), estimated payback periods for the black net were 3.1 and 1.8 years, respectively. Overall, black nets combined the lowest predicted sunburn incidence, the greatest cumulative shoot growth, and the highest mean final revenue among the evaluated treatments, while yields remained comparable to the uncovered control, suggesting that they may represent a promising climate-adaptation strategy for Mediterranean ‘Fuji’ apple orchards.
Keywords:
anti-hail
climate adaptation
crop load
economic return
fruit diameter distribution
interannual variability
microclimate modification
protective netting
source–sink balance
sunburn damage
Journal
H
IF:
3
Papers:
7.1K
Citations:
1.2W
Organization
Cited Papers