Effects of Shading Nets Color on the Internal Environmental Conditions, Light Spectral Distribution, and Strawberry Growth and Yield in Greenhouses

Abstract

Greenhouses are used to create the appropriate environment for plant growth. Controlling the level of lighting using shading nets is one of the most commonly used methods for making suitable environmental modifications in greenhouses. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of three colored shading nets (green, black, and beige at shading rates of 50%) on inside air temperature, relative humidity, and spectral distribution of light in a greenhouse, as well as their effect on the growth and yield of strawberry plants. Data were collected during winter (December and January) and spring (March and April) months from shaded and unshaded blocks. The green net had the highest transmittance to solar radiation (τSR) during the two periods (38% and 35%, respectively) and the highest transmittance to photosynthetically active radiation (τPAR) of 34% during spring months, while the beige net had the highest τPAR of 27% during winter months. The black net had the smallest τPAR values during the two periods (22% and 29%, respectively). The lowest total light levels per season for solar radiation (SR) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (746.8 and 293.7 MJ·m−2, respectively) were obtained under the black net, compared with (906.7 and 320.8 MJ·m−2, respectively) for the beige net, and (969.6 and 337.2 MJ·m−2, respectively) for the green net. The ratio of PAR to SR (PAR:SR) was 41% and 44% outside and inside the greenhouse for the control (without shade), respectively. The black net had the highest ratio of PAR:SR (39%) among the treatment nets. The green net transmitted more light in the blue–green region (400 to 570 nm) and transmitted the highest photon flux at 480 nm, while the beige net increased the infrared radiation flux from 730 nm and above and transmitted the highest photon flux at 604 nm. The study found that the green net increased the ratio of blue to red light (B/R), while the beige and green nets reduced the red to far-red light (R/FR) ratio. The photosynthetic rate, conductance to water, and transpiration were significantly higher for strawberries grown under the beige net. These results indicate that the beige net positively influenced leaf and stem characteristics, leading to improved strawberry yields. The best yields of strawberries were obtained under the beige net and the control group (no shade), surpassing the yields achieved under the black net by 26.3% and 21.4%, respectively.