All fruit tree varieties were developed by geneticists for outdoor cultivation. Protecting them with meshes or plastics modifies the microclimate surrounding the tree producing changes that can be positive or negative. It all depends on the technical qualities of the cover being used and the subsequent management of the crop and cover.
Agralia, in its permanent search for new and innovative technologies to improve the productive management of the fruit business, has developed Agricover.
"Agricover achieves an 86-90% light transmission of wavelengths that range from 600 to 800 nm, which are fundamental for photosynthesis. Agricover is made up of polymers that continue to maintain a high percentage of light transmission over time. In addition, Agricover diffuses the direct light that naturally reaches the foliage into the appropriate amount of diffused light. This makes it possible to illuminate areas some plant areas that would normally receive less light, increasing the efficiency of net photosynthesis, providing uniformity of plant development and fruit ripening. The right level of diffuse light produced by Agricover allows savings in water and fertilizer use of more than 20%," the company detailed.
"The diffusion of light and, therefore, the diffusion of radiation, prevent excessive heating of the upper part of the plant improving the fruits' firmness, color, and sugar content."
Agricover blocks, on average, 86.2% of the long-wave IR. This considerably reduces the thermal inversion effect, keeping the air mass under the cover at a higher temperature than the surrounding air, providing it with an anti-frost effect. By keeping the leaves at a higher temperature than the surrounding air, water condensation does not occur on them, the leaf remains dry, thus reducing the risk of cryptogamic diseases and pseudomonas. The higher temperature achieved accelerates the plant's development processes and its precocity, advancing the harvest by 4 to 10 days, depending on the geographical area where the crops are and the plant variety being grown."
"Agricover is a fabric laminated on both sides, this feature prevents dust and moisture from penetrating between the fabric belts that cause loss of transmittance."
According to research carried out at the UPC with a numerical control computer program, which reproduces the effect of a virtual wind tunnel, Agricover can withstand winds of up to 120 km/h.
"Agricover is the ideal solution to protect cherry and other fruit crops, protecting them from rain, frost, hail, reducing cracking issues, and possibly achieving greater precocity."
For more information:
Agralia ESPAÑA
Tel.: +34 93 511 31 67
info@agraliagroup.com
Agralia CHILE
Tel.: +56 98 450 71 74
infochile@Agraliagroup.com
www.agraliagroup.com