Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) production and quality in response to anti-hail nets

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Biometeorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Anti-hail nets are the best way to mitigate the effects of hailstorms in the orchards. Apple trees covered with nets may exhibit a variety of vegetative and reproductive responses, inclusive of changes in tree vigour, cropping, sugar contents, and fruit colour. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of timing of installation and colour of anti-hail net on cropping and fruit quality in high-density apple orchard for two consecutive seasons (2021 and 2022). White and blue colour nets of size (9 m × 30 m) 80 GSM (square mesh with non-sliding threaded, leno weave, and < 30% shading factor) were installed at three different time intervals (15 days before estimated full bloom, at full bloom, and 15 days after full bloom) on apple cultivar ‘Jeromine’. The installation at different time and colour of anti-hail nets significantly exhibit variability in cropping, fruit quality, and bio-chemical metrics. The significant highest cropping (fruit yield, productivity, and yield efficiency) and fruit biochemical parameters (total soluble solids) were recorded in T3C2 (15 days after full bloom + white colour anti-hail net) followed by T2C2 (installed at full bloom + white colour anti-hail net). Hence, white colour anti-hail nets installed 15 days after full bloom increased fruit production and improved quality in comparison to blue colour anti-hail net in apple under high-density plantations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author [Pramod Verma], upon reasonable request.

References

  • A.O.A.C (1980) Official methods of analysis of the association of official analytical chemists OAC, 13th edn. In: Horwitz W (ed) The Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, 1038 pp

  • Amarante CVT, Steffens CA, Argenta LC (2011) Yield and fruit quality of ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apple trees protected by white anti-hail net. Sci Hortic 129:79–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews H, Johnson P (1996) Physiology of sunburn development in apples. Good Fruit Grower 47:33–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Anthony B, Serra S, Musacchi S (2020) Optimization of light interception, leaf area and yield in “WA38”: comparisons among training systems, rootstocks and pruning techniques. Agronomy 10:689

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aoun KM (2019) The use of nets for tree fruit crops and their impact on production: a review. Sci Hortic 246:110–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bastias RM, Ruíz K, Manfrini L, Pierpaoli E, Zibordi M, Morandi B, Losciale P, Torrigiani P, Corelli-Grappadelli L (2012) Effects of photoselective nets on phenolic composition in apple fruits. Acta Hort 939:77–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blanke M (2007) Colored hail nets: their network structure as well as light and UV permeability determine the color of the apple fruits. Ewerbs-Obstbau 49:127–139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10341-007-0048-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bosco L C, Bergamaschi H, Cardoso L S, Paula V A de, Marodin G A B, Nachtigall G R et al (2014) Apple production and quality when cultivated under anti-hail cover in Southern Brazil. International Journal of Biometeorology. DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-014-0893-6

  • Brkljaca M, Rumora J, Vukoic M, Jemric T (2016) Effect of photoselective nets on fruit quality of Apple cv Cripps pink. Agric Conspec Sci 81:87–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Castellano S, Mugnozza GS, Russo G, Briassoulis D, Mistriotis A, Hemming S, Waaijenberg D (2008) Plastic nets in agriculture: a general review of types and applications. Appl Eng Agric 24(6):799–808

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro DC, Alvarez N, Gabriel P, Micheloud N, Buyatti M, Gariglio N (2015) Crop loading studies on ‘Caricia’ and ‘Eva’ apples grown in a mild winter area. Sci Agric 72(3):237–244. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-9016-2014-0267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dobaja K (2005) The influence of the floor reflective film, countercurrent crystal and black nets on the internal quality of the fruit in the apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh.) variety 'Jonagold' and 'Elstar' [Thesis]. Faculty of Agriculture and Biosystem Sciences, University of Maribor, Maribor

  • Dussi MC, Giardina G, Reeb P (2005) Shade nets effect on canopy light distribution and quality of fruit and spur leaf apple cv ‘Fuji.’ Span J Agric Res 3(2):253–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Germšek B, Unuk TM (2014) Kakovost jabolk sort ‘Gala Brookfield’ in ‘Fuji Kiku’ pod in izven protitocne mreže. Acta Agric Slov 103(1):137–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Giaccone M, Forlani M, Basile B (2012) Tree vigor, fruit yield and quality of nectarine trees grown under red photoselective anti-hail nets in southern Italy. Acta Hort 962:287–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harborne JB (1973) Phytochemical methods: a guide to modern techniques of plant analysis. Chapman and Hall Ltd, London, p 279

    Google Scholar 

  • Iglesias I, Alegre S (2006) The effect of anti-hail nets on fruit protection, radiation, temperature, quality and profitability of ‘Mondial Gala’ apples. J Appl Hortic 8(2):91–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IMD (2022) Meteorological Centre Shimla, India Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences, New Delhi, India. https://mausam.imd.gov.in/shimla/

  • Kalcsits L, Musacchi S, Layne DR, Schmidt T, Mupambi G, Serra S, Sankaran S (2017) Above and below-ground environmental changes associated with the use of photoselective protective netting to reduce sunburn in apple. Agric for Meteorol 237:9–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ladon T (2021) Studies on the effect of planting densities, canopy management and fertigation on growth, yield and fruit quality of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.). Ph. D. Thesis, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni Solan (HP) - 173230, India. 152p

  • Lopez G, Boini A, Manfrini L, Torres-Ruiz JM, Pierpaoli E, Zibordi M, Losciale P, Morandi B, Corelli-Grappadelli L (2018) Effect of shading and water stress on light interception, physiology and yield of apple trees. Agric Water Manag 210:140–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Middleton S, McWaters A (2002) Hail netting of apple orchards Australian Experience. Com Fruit Tree 35:51–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Milanovic M, Gocic M, Trajkovic S (2014) Effect of anti-hail nets on design of irrigation systems. In: Besevic MT, Milicic IM, Landovic A, Gabric O (eds) International Conference Contemporary Achievements in Civil Engineering 25. Subotica, Serbia, 24–25 April 2014. Journal of Faculty of Civil Engineering 619–624

  • Mupambi G, Anthony BM, Layne DR, Musacchi S, Serra S, Schmidt T, Kalcsits LA (2018) The influence of protective netting on tree physiology and fruit quality of apple: a review. Sci Hortic 236:60–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ordonez V, Molina-Corral FJ, Olivas-Dorantes CL, Jacobo-Cuéllar JL, González- Aguilar G, Espino M, Olivas GI (2016) Comparative study of the effects of black or white hailnets on the fruit quality of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples. Fruits 71(4):229–238

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oren-Shamir M, Gussakovsky EE, Shpiegel E, Nissim-Levi A, Ratner K, Ovadia R, Giller YE, Shahak Y (2001) Coloured shade nets can improve the yield and quality of green decorative branches of Pittosporum variegatum. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 76:353–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozturk A, Aydın E, Ozturk B (2022) Bioactive compounds and fruit quality traits of Granny Smith Challenger apple grown under varying shade levels of green protective shade nets. J Food Process Preserv 46(8):e16777

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajapakse NC, Shahak Y (2007) Light quality manipulation by horticulture industry. In: Whitelam G, Halliday K (eds) Light and Plant Development. Blackwell Publishing, UK, pp 290–312

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ranganna S (1995) Handbook of analysis and quality control for fruit and vegetable products. Tata McGraw Hill Publishing Company Limited, New Delhi, pp 1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Reay PF, Fletcher RH, Thomas V (1998) Chlorophylls, carotenoids and anthocyanin concentrations in the skin of ‘Gala’apples during maturation and the influence of foliar applications of nitrogen and magnesium. J Sci Food Agric 76(1):63–71

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reigne M (1997) Des incidences agronomiques mesures. Fruits Et Legumes 158:39–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson T, Hoying S, Sazo MM, DeMarree A, Dominguez L (2013) A vision for apple orchard systems of the future. Newyork Fruit Q 21:11–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Serra S, Borghi S, Mupambi G, Alvarez H, Layne D, Schmidt T, Kalcsits L, Musacchi S (2020) Photoselective protective netting improves “Honeycrisp” fruit quality. Plants 9:1–20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sever M, Tojnko S, Unuk T (2015) Impact of various types of anti-hail nets on light exposure in orchards and quality parameters of apple. Agricultura 2:25–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sever MB, Tojnko S, Breznikar A, Babojelic MS, Ivancic A, Sirk M, Unuk T (2020) The influence of differently coloured anti-hail nets and geomorphologic characteristics on microclimatic and light conditions in apple orchards. J Cent Eur Agric 21(2):386–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shahak Y (2014) Photoselective netting: an overview of the concept, R & D and practical implementation in agriculture. Acta Hort 1015:155–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shahak Y, Gal E, Offir Y, Ben-Yakir D (2008a) Photoselective shade netting integrated with greenhouse technologies for improved performance of vegetable and ornamental crops. In: Kubota AZC, Kacira M (eds) International Workshop on Greenhouse Environmental Control and Crop Production in Semi-Arid Regions. International Society for Horticultural Science Tucson, AZ, USA, pp 75–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Shahak Y, Ratner K, Giller YE, Zur NOE, Gussakovsky EE, Stern R, Sarig P, Raban E, Harcavi E, Doron I, Greenblat-Avron Y (2008b) Improving solar energy utilization, productivity and fruit quality in orchards and vineyards by photoselective netting. Acta Hort 772:65–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shahak Y, Gal E, Offir Y, Ben-Yakir D (2008c) Photoselective shade netting integrated with greenhouse technologies for improved performance of vegetable and ornamental crops. Acta Hort 797:75–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sivakumar D, Jifon J (2018) Influence of photoselective shade nettings on postharvest quality of vegetables. In: Siddiqui MW (ed) Preharvest modulation of postharvest fruit and vegetable quality. Academic Press, pp 121–138

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Solomakhin A, Blanke MM (2010) The microclimate under coloured hailnets affects leaf and fruit temperature, leaf anatomy, vegetative and reproductive growth as well as fruit coloration in apple. Ann Appl Biol 156:121–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solovchenko A, Schmitz-Eiberger M (2003) Significance of skin flavonoids for UV-B-protection in apple fruits. J Exp Bot 54:1977–1984. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erg199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stampar F, Hudina M, Usenik V, Sturm K, Zadravec P (2001) Influence of black and white nets on photosynthesis, yield and fruit quality of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.). Acta Hort 557:57–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Stampar F, Veberic R, Zadravec FP, HudinaM UV, Solar A, Osterc G (2002) Yield and fruit quality of apples cv. ‘Jonagold’ under hail protection nets. Eur J Hort Sci 67:205–210

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tanny J (2013) Microclimate and evapotranspiration of crops covered by agricultural screens: a review. Biosys Eng 114(1):26–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Treder W, Mika A, Buler Z, Klamkowski K (2016) Effects of hail nets on orchard light microclimate, apple tree growth, fruiting and fruit quality. Acta Sci Pol Hortorum Cultus 15(3):17–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Wachsmann Y, Zur N, Shahak Y, Ratner K, Giler Y, Schlizerman L, Sadka A, Cohen S, Garbinshikof V, Giladi B (2014) Photoselective anti-hail netting for improved Citrus productivity and quality. Acta Hortic 1015:169–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westwood MN (1993) Temperate-zone pomology: physiology and culture, 3rd edn. Timber Press, Portland, 523 p

  • Widmer A (2001) Light intensity and fruit quality under hail protection nets. Acta Hort 557:421–426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuri JA, Torres C, Vasquez J (2000) Golpe de sol en manzanas. I.- Evaluación del dañoy métodos de control. Agro-Ciencia 16(1):13–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Zude-Sasse M, Herold B, Geyer M (2000) Comparative study on maturity prediction in ‘Elstar’ and ‘Jonagold’ apples. Gartenbauwissenschaft 65:260–265

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We heartily thank the Director of Research, Professor & Head, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar, University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India, by providing experimental site and financial assistance for conducting the present investigation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fruit Science, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), 173230, India

    Mohammad Abass Mir, Pramod Verma, Naveen Chand Sharma & Upasana Sarma

  2. Department of Basic Sciences, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), 173230, India

    Nitin Sharma

Authors
  1. Mohammad Abass Mir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pramod Verma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Naveen Chand Sharma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nitin Sharma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Upasana Sarma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pramod Verma.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mir, M.A., Verma, P., Sharma, N.C. et al. Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) production and quality in response to anti-hail nets. Int J Biometeorol 68, 927–938 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-024-02637-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-024-02637-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation