Effect of Coloured Shade Nets on Vegetable Production – A Review | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

The colour shade net approach aims at combining physical protection to the crop wtih modifications in spectro radiometric properties inside the net house which in turn promotes desired physiological responses. The experimental investigations indicated that under clear sunny and cloudy conditions the radiometric properties depends mostly on both net porosity and its’ colour. Net reflectance strongly depends on net colour. Transmittance and absorption of electromagnetic spectrum by a particular net primarily depends on colour and secondarily on porosity. Since the nets are composed of holes, in addition to the translucent-photo-selective plastic threads, they actually create mixtures of natural, unmodified light, which is passing through the holes, together with the diffused, spectrally modified light, which is emitted by the photo-selective threads. This changes in electromagnetic spectrum helps in enhancing the crop performance under a particular colour of a net. In this paper a comprehensive review of research work carried out on influence of shade net colour on vegetable production are being presented and the recommendation of a particular colour net for a particular crop is are being presented.