EFFECTIVENESS OF NETS IN PROTECTED PEACH CULTIVATION: ENHANCING GROWTH AND PEST CONTROL

Аннотация

INTRODUCTION contributing to more sustainable farming practices. The cultivation of peaches, a high-value fruit, faces several challenges due to pests, weather variability, In peach orchards, two common types of nets— and suboptimal growing conditions. In response to shade nets and insect-proof nets—are employed to these challenges, protected cultivation has gained optimize growing conditions and protect the crop. popularity as a means to enhance both the growth Shade nets help moderate excessive sunlight, and productivity of crops. One key method of which can cause damage to peach trees and protection involves the use of various types of nets, negatively affect fruit development. Insect-proof which serve as physical barriers and microclimate nets, on the other hand, provide an additional layer regulators. Nets play a crucial role in controlling of protection by physically preventing pests from temperature, light intensity, and humidity, thus reaching the plants. These nets are particularly creating a more favorable environment for the effective in minimizing the spread of harmful pests peach trees to flourish. Additionally, they act as an like aphids, fruit flies, and moths, which can cause effective defense mechanism against pests, significant yield loss and affect fruit quality. reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides and This study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajabe 1 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (ISSN – 2689-1018) VOLUME 06 ISSUE10 of these nets in peach cultivation by examining control. The experiment was conducted in a their impact on plant growth, pest control, and commercial peach orchard located in a temperate overall productivity. By creating a controlled region, known for its peach production. The study microenvironment, nets enhance the physiological was designed to compare the performance of peach processes of the plants, leading to better growth trees grown under various types of nets with those rates, improved fruit quality, and higher yields. grown in an open-field (uncovered) environment. Furthermore, by reducing pest infestations, nets The experimental site was divided into several significantly lower the need for chemical plots, each of approximately equal size, ensuring treatments, promoting a more environmentally uniform soil composition, irrigation, and other friendly approach to peach farming. The adoption growth conditions. The plots were randomly of netting systems not only offers a practical assigned to one of three treatments: (1) peach trees solution for increasing peach yields but also covered with shade nets, (2) peach trees covered contributes to sustainable agricultural practices by with insect-proof nets, and (3) control plots with reducing input costs and improving crop resilience. no netting. The nets were installed over the METHOD designated plots, with the shade nets designed to reduce sunlight intensity by approximately 30% This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of and the insect-proof nets featuring a fine mesh to different types of protective nets in peach prevent pest entry without significantly affecting cultivation, focusing on their impact on plant air circulation. growth, microclimate modification, and pest enough mesh to block common pests such as The choice of nets was based on their potential to aphids, moths, and fruit flies, which are known to regulate the microclimate and protect against cause significant damage to peach crops. The nets pests. Shade nets were selected to minimize the were installed at a height of 2.5 to 3 meters above adverse effects of excessive sunlight, which can the ground, ensuring complete coverage of the lead to sunburn on fruits and hinder proper plant trees while allowing adequate ventilation and development. The insect-proof nets had a fine access to sunlight. Regular inspections of the nets https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajabe 2 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (ISSN – 2689-1018) VOLUME 06 ISSUE10 were conducted throughout the growing season to used to collect information at hourly intervals, ensure they remained intact and properly secured. which was later analyzed to determine how the nets influenced the microenvironment. These To assess the impact of the nets on the measurements provided insights into the extent to microclimate, sensors were installed in each plot to which nets regulate temperature and humidity, as continuously monitor key environmental well as their role in reducing direct sunlight parameters, including temperature, relative exposure, which is critical for preventing stress on humidity, and light intensity. Data loggers were peach trees and improving fruit development. minimal chemical intervention. The incidence of To evaluate the effect of nets on peach tree growth, pest infestations and the need for pesticide measurements of