Apple and pear: Safe production thanks to screens

Globally, the annual production of apples is around 80 million tons (source: WAPA). The pear instead exceeds 23 million tons (source: FAO). Together, these two fruits represent one of the most produced and consumed fruit categories in the world, alongside bananas, watermelons and citrus fruits. Strong demand and market competition require intensive production and the elimination of all risks that can affect yield and quality. On the other hand, consumers impose high requirements in terms of qualitative, sensorial and nutritional characteristics.

Arrigoni studies specific solutions for every type of situation, according to the needs and the production area. Moreover, to choose the ideal protection, nothing should be left to chance: even the color of the cover itself can be a decisive variable. Depending on the variety and the geographical area of cultivation, it is necessary to use the right percentage of shading. In regions where there is not enough sun, for crops that require high irradiation, transparent nets are recommended; on the contrary, in sunny places and on less vigorous orchards, the dark-colored net is indicated to guarantee a better shading factor and reduce the damage caused by burns. Moreover, such nets also have a longer life.

The Arrigoni FRUCTUS® range is a special line of high tenacity polyethylene monofilament woven nets, stabilized against UV rays. In addition to direct mechanical protection against possible hail damage, this range also offers several other advantages. In fact, FRUCTUS® modifies the internal microclimate, reducing the average daily temperature and increasing the relative humidity. Finally, protection is effective against birds and some insects, thus considerably reducing diseases, as the orchard is protected by the vectors of their spread. Also suitable for the drafting of long rows thanks to the strong lateral and central selvedges, this range of agrotessiles thus generates particularly favorable conditions for the growth and fruiting of the pomaceous plants.

AGRITELA LUX® is a white mulching fabric, ideal for implementing and improving fruit ripening, promoting coloration. In fact, it provides the best results with clones and varieties that difficulty develop the right color, particularly in the production of apples in flat fields, under anti-hail nets, or in areas with poor temperature variations between day and night.
Thanks to special additives, AGRITELA LUX® reflects over 70% of the photosynthetically active sunlight that reaches the ground and provides more light in the lower and inner parts of the foliage. This means better coloring for apple varieties like Galaxy, Kanzi, Pink Lady, Gala Schniga and an average of 25% more marketable fruit. The fabric is UV stabilized, easy to install and can be used season after season. Strong side reinforcements and high-quality materials allow the installation of the fabric with hooks and clips for a perfect laying on the ground. It also remains slightly suspended to improve the growth of the grass and allows the passage of the machines.

IRIDE MULTI PRO® and FRUCTUS 4/4®: they are suggested to close the sides of the orchards or to cover the single row. Specifically, the first solution is suitable to protect from Halyomorpha Halys (Asian bug), while the second has been designed to protect the fruit against the attacks of the harmful moth Cydia pomonella.

"When it comes to the most extensive and cultivated crops in the world – explains Paolo Arrigoni, CEO of Arrigoni – as of apples and pears, it is necessary to keep in mind a multiplicity of factors. On the one hand, in fact, the research must be oriented towards solutions that are appropriate to the specific need; on the other hand, we need to think more and more about environmental sustainability. With the "total green" proposals he Arrigoni Group itself, has been pursuing for several years now, is a credible and reliable partner for the fruit-growing of the future, increasingly attentive not only to the quality of production, but also to the preservation of the natural environment that surrounds each orchard”.

Jessica Sabatini, Arrigoni Press Office

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