(Press-News.org) Contact information: Michael W. Neff
mwneff@ashs.org
703-836-4606
American Society for Horticultural Science
Shadehouses with photoselective nets featured in study of growing conditions
Study results may help predict plant responses to light, temperature
APOPKA, FL--Shade nets are widely used in ornamental crop production systems to protect crops from radiation, wind, hail, and birds. According to a 2011 study from the United States Department of Agriculture, 43% of floricultural crop production in the United States occurred under shade or other temporary cover. Although black nets are most common, growers have begun experimenting with colored, gray, and white "dispersive" netting in order to determine effects of the colored nets on crop vigor, dwarfing, branching, leaf variegation, and flowering time. Researchers from the University of Florida's Mid-Florida Research and Education Center published results of a 12-month research study in HortScience, in which they evaluated light quantity, light quality, and other environmental variables inside shadehouses fitted with photoselective and color-neutral nets. They anticipate that their study findings will be helpful to growers, horticulturists, and agricultural engineers.
According to author Steven Arthurs, today's photoselective (colored) and color-neutral dispersive shade nettings are made of woven or knitted polypropylene materials with different dimensions of fibers and holes designed to create specific shade levels. "Traditional black nets are completely opaque, and the spectral quality of radiation is not modified by the nets, while dispersive shade nets are less opaque and scatter radiation, creating more diffused light that can penetrate inside plant canopies, Arthurs explained, adding that colored nets contain additives that selectively filter solar radiation to promote specific wavelengths of light."
The researchers designed a study using 16 shadehouse structures that were covered on the top and all sides with one of two photoselective (red and blue), or one of two color neutral (black and pearl) nets. "This setup allowed us to monitor the impact of the full spectrum of environmental conditions (not just light) independently," said Arthurs. The researchers then took light measurements monthly.
"We found that all shade nets reduced PAR compared with uncovered sites, but there were differences between colors," the scientists said. "Observed PAR values were reduced most under black nets and least under red nets with blue and pearl nets intermediate. Our results showed that photosynthetic shading values were black (55% to 60%), blue (51% to 57%), pearl (52% to 54%), and red (41% to 51%), depending on the season."
The research team examined the effects of the shade nets on other environmental variables as well. Average daily maximum air temperatures were higher inside shadehouses with colored nets compared with black nets or ambient. Highest air temperatures were recorded under red, while black nets were consistently cooler. Blue and pearl recorded similar temperatures, and were intermediate between red and black nets.
"Our study documents the different environmental modifications inside structures covered with black and colored nets, which will help predict or interpret specific plant responses," the authors said. "However, a review of the literature suggests that the responses of different plant species to modified light conditions are often variable."
###
The complete study and abstract are available on the ASHS HortScience electronic journal web site: http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/48/8/975.abstract
Founded in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) is the largest organization dedicated to advancing all facets of horticultural research, education, and application. More information at ashs.org.
Shadehouses with photoselective nets featured in study of growing conditions
Study results may help predict plant responses to light, temperature
2013-11-19
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
MAVEN launches on 10-month journey to Mars orbit
2013-11-19
MAVEN launches on 10-month journey to Mars orbit
NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission began with a smooth countdown and flawless launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41. The United Launch Alliance Atlas V ...
High tunnel, open-field production systems compared for lettuce, tomato
2013-11-19
High tunnel, open-field production systems compared for lettuce, tomato
Scientists in western Washington use crop enterprise budgets to evaluate production practices
MOUNT VERNON, WA--In the mild coastal climate of western Washington, agricultural ...
NASA instrument determines hazards of deep-space radiation
2013-11-19
NASA instrument determines hazards of deep-space radiation
Deep-space radiation is a significant danger for interplanetary human space flight. But now an instrument on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has learned more than ever before about the high-energy ...
Researchers test effects of LEDs on leaf lettuce
2013-11-19
Researchers test effects of LEDs on leaf lettuce
Mixture of blue and red lights recommended to enhance lettuce quality, yield
CHEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA--In the life cycle of plants, most developmental processes are dependent on light. Significant biological ...
Researchers develop technique to convert thermoelectric material into high performance electricity
2013-11-19
Researchers develop technique to convert thermoelectric material into high performance electricity
A team of Clemson University physicists consisting of nanomaterial scientists Apparao Rao and Ramakrishna Podila and thermoelectricians Terry Tritt, Jian He and Pooja Puneet ...
The fashion scout and the cop: Scanning the streets with similar methods for different targets
2013-11-19
The fashion scout and the cop: Scanning the streets with similar methods for different targets
University of Cincinnati research compares practices used by fashion industry casting directors to the New York City Police Department's controversial stop-and-frisk program.
New ...
Zinc sulfate, sugar alcohol zinc sprays improve apple quality
2013-11-19
Zinc sulfate, sugar alcohol zinc sprays improve apple quality
Study recommends continuing zinc application at critical stages on apple trees
SHANDONG PROVINCE, CHINA--Zinc is vital for the healthy growth and reproduction of all organisms. ...
Asteroids' close encounters with Mars
2013-11-19
Asteroids' close encounters with Mars
CAMBRIDGE, MA -- For nearly as long as astronomers have been able to observe asteroids, a question has gone unanswered: Why do the surfaces of most asteroids appear redder than meteorites — the remnants of asteroids ...
Researchers classify urban residential desert landscapes
2013-11-19
Researchers classify urban residential desert landscapes
Information helps residents and planners create landscape budgets, manage water resources
LAS CRUCES, NM--A new study contains valuable information for homeowners and horticulturalists ...
New bale unroller design deemed effective
2013-11-19
New bale unroller design deemed effective
Offset round-bale unroller makes mulching more efficient in organic mulch trials
LEXINGTON, KY--John Wilhoit and Timothy Coolong from the University of Kentucky have introduced a new technology that ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained
Less intensive works best for agricultural soil
Arctic rivers project receives “national champion” designation from frontiers foundation
Computational biology paves the way for new ALS tests
Study offers new hope for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome
UT, Volkswagen Group of America celebrate research partnership
New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll
Are ‘zombie’ skin cells harmful or helpful? The answer may be in their shapes
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center presents research at AACR 2025
Head and neck, breast, lung and survivorship studies headline Dana-Farber research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025
AACR: Researchers share promising results from MD Anderson clinical trials
New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age
Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker
Chips off the old block
Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia
Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry
Lung immune cell type “quietly” controls inflammation in COVID-19
Fiscal impact of expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity
State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections
Young adults drive historic decline in smoking
NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research
Chimpanzee stem cells offer new insights into early embryonic development
This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack
FlexTech inaugural issue launches, pioneering interdisciplinary innovation in flexible technology
In Down syndrome mice, 40Hz light and sound improve cognition, neurogenesis, connectivity
Methyl eugenol: potential to inhibit oxidative stress, address related diseases, and its toxicological effects
A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions
AI helps unravel a cause of Alzheimer's disease and identify a therapeutic candidate
Coalition of Autism Scientists critiques US Department of Health and Human Services Autism Research Initiative
Structure dictates effectiveness, safety in nanomedicine
[Press-News.org] Shadehouses with photoselective nets featured in study of growing conditionsStudy results may help predict plant responses to light, temperature