Outcomes from US netting trials

July 2020 | Presented by Dr Lee Kalcsits, Washington State University | APAL webinar slides

Protective netting is used for hail, sunburn and climate-risk management, but it also changes the orchard environment. In this APAL webinar presentation, Dr Lee Kalcsits of Washington State University reviews findings from US netting trials and the implications for apple production.

The presentation considers how net colour, shade level and structure can alter incoming radiation, fruit and canopy temperature and light distribution. These effects can be beneficial where heat and sunburn are major risks, but excessive shading can also influence colour development and orchard productivity.

The key management point is that netting is not a neutral cover. Its effects depend on local climate, cultivar, canopy density and the physical properties of the net. Growers therefore need to evaluate protection benefits alongside effects on fruit quality and canopy light.

The slides provide a useful research-based reference for growers comparing netting options or interpreting performance changes after installation.