Page 66 - Ameft Journal 2021/1

TINEGCRHENDOIELONTGSY & SUSTAINABILITY
Agrotextiles to protect apple and pomegranate trees
Globally, apples and pomegranates are the two most common and high demand crops. The high consump- tion and the competition on the market require a massive production, keeping in focus all the risks that could affect quality. Sunburns, uneven colouring, and invasive species are the dangers that producers face in the cultivation of these two crops. On the other hand, consumers are increasingly demanding products with high qualitative, nutritio- nal and sensory properties.
Mulching of the soil generally offers several obvious advantages. The white reflective groundcovers are specially designed to help colour the fruits and give the plants more light. The reflected light also interferes with insect sight and reduces the presence of invasive species. Finally, it affects the physical characteristics of fruits and stimulates the synthesis of important compounds such as antioxidants.
"At Arrigoni, the search for innova- tive solutions for crops such as apple and pomegranate is a priority and, to- day, we are able to guarantee a parti- cularly wide range, capable of meeting the needs of different areas and clima- tic zones" explains Milena Poledica, agronomist from Arrigoni.
A leader in the design and produc- tion of agrotextiles, Arrigoni offers Agritela Lux©, a reflective mulching fabric designed to improve colouring of fruits, making it more homogeneous.
These agrotextiles provide the best results with clones and varieties that have difficulty in developing colour, such as apple and pomegranate, be- cause they are grown under anti-hail nets or in areas with a low temperature range between day and night.
To obtain a double advantage – gre- ater protection from weeds, keeping the benefits given by the reflection of sunlight – Arrigoni offers ‘Agritela Black and White’, that is a two-tone mul- ching fabric, white on the surface and black on the side in contact with the ground. The main effect of the black- white combination is in fact to make it possible, at the same time, a higher protection from weeds (black side) and maintain the supply of additional light to the plants (white side), for a better
Better fruit colouring and more nutritional compounds are just the main benefits of the Agritela groundcover range from Arrigoni.
colouring of fruits and a higher content of nutritional compounds.
In addition to the action of the fabric covers, Arrigoni also offers an effective defence against hail for the apple trees with Fructus©, a range of monofila- ment nets. Colour is a very important parameter when choosing nets. De- pending on the variety and the geogra- phical area of cultivation, it is necessary to use the right percentage of shading. In regions where there is not enough sun and for crops that require a high percentage of sun, transparent nets are recommended; on the contrary, in sunny places and on less vigorous or- chards, the black net is more suitable, to ensure a better shading factor and reduce the damage caused by burns.
For pomegranate, on the other hand, depending on the environment (humi- dity, temperature, quality of light), the Arrigoni research department sug- gests different shades of Robuxta LDF White© thermo-reflective screen. This is an ideal solution to maintain the re- quired shade and condition for perfect colouring and ripening of the crops.
There are several advantages that this choice can givev: the white colour of the screen reflects part of the sun's rays, responsible for sunburns; the ad- ditive in the screen diffuses the light evenly and stimulates the ripening and colouring process; the temperature under the screen is reduced, to the full benefit of the plant.
(Source: Agritela)
(Source: Agritela)
Agritela Lux© for apple trees
‘Agritela Black and White’ for pomegranate trees
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