by Milena Poledica, PhD
As a rich source of antioxidants and other healthy nutrients berry fruits became a daily part of people's diet in the biggest part of the world. Exactly these health benefits are the main reason of increase in berry consumption and remarkable growth in the berry industry.
This tremendous growth is especially evident in blueberry production. According to IBO blueberry production boom from 2005-2010 is now slowed in the biggest part of the world, but it is still growing!
It is expected that blueberry production will grow for 100,000 t every two years.
To complete year-round fresh range of berry fruit, satisfy growing demands of consumers, supply sizable, healthy and high-quality fruits, producers all over the world are investing in efficient sustainable practice of berry production and new cultivars.
Following the world trends in the berry industry, in step with sustainable agriculture Arrigoni company developed ranges of innovative agrotextiles to protect berry production against unfavorable weather conditions and provide more comfortable climate conditions for plant development and high cropping.
Today we will present Protecta: a new concept in berry production that significantly reduces rain passage and at the same time can offer protection against hail. This screen is produced from high tenacity Arlene HT monofilament that contains special additives to increase durability (three times more than plastic film) and water slip outside the cultivation.
Good light scattering under the screen and moderate shading of 22% stimulate photosynthesis and cropping. Under Protecta daily temperatures are slightly lower than external, but during the night, temperatures are higher. This creates moderate a climate and favorable conditions for plant development and fruit growth. Good light conditions followed by optimal air flow positively influence the coloring, firmness and taste of berry fruits.
Early opening in spring can provide light protection against frost by keeping the plant habitat dry.
Connected with Biorete 25 Mesh insect screen to close on the side, Protecta systems can successfully exclude some of the most invasive insects in berry production, like Drosophila Suzukii. Furthermore, the new Biorete 25 Mesh Air Plusline with improved screen structure (low denier monofilament in high strength with same hole size) enabled us to get a greater number of holes per square meter and a ventilation increase of 20 %.
For more information:
Arrigoni SpA
Via Monte Prato 3
22029 Uggiate Trevano (CO)
Tel.: (+39) 031803200
Fax: (+39) 031803206
www.arrigoni.it