Rain Cover and Netting Materials Differentially Affect Fruit Yield and Quality Traits in Two Highbush Blueberry Cultivars via Changes in Sunlight and Temperature Conditions
Author:
Matamala María F.1, Bastías Richard M.1ORCID, Urra Ignacio1, Calderón-Orellana Arturo1ORCID, Campos Jorge2, Albornoz Karin3ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Departamento de Producción Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán 3780000, Chile 2. Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán 3780000, Chile 3. Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Coastal Research and Education Center, Clemson University, 2700 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29414, USA
Abstract
The use of covers to protect blueberry orchards from adverse weather events has increased due to the variability in climate patterns, but the effects of rain covers and netting materials on yield and fruit quality have not been studied yet. This research evaluated the simultaneous effect of an LDPE plastic cover, a woven cover, and netting material on environmental components (UV light, PAR, NIR, and growing degree days (GDDs)), plant performance (light interception, leaf area index, LAI, yield, and flower development), and fruit quality traits (firmness, total soluble solids, and acidity) in two blueberry cultivars. On average, UV transmission under the netting was 11% and 43% higher compared to that under woven and LDPE plastic covers, while NIR transmission was 8–13% higher with both types of rain covers, with an increase in fruit air temperature and GDDs. Yield was 27% higher under the woven cover with respect to netting, but fruit firmness values under the netting were 12% higher than those of the LDPE plastic cover. Light interception, LAI, and flower development explained 64% (p = 0.0052) of the yield variation due to the cover material’s effect. The obtained results suggest that the type of cover differentially affects yield and fruit quality in blueberries due to the specific light and temperature conditions generated under these materials.
Funder
“Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, CORFO” and the “Asociación de Exportadores de Frutas de Chile A.G, ASOEX”
Subject
Plant Science,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
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