Ligth transmittance of different coulered shade nets, its effect on ambient microcimate and plant growth

This intended study was carried out under open field (1500 m2) conditions located at the research and application farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University in Antalya. The green shade netting with shade factor of 40%, the blue, pearl, and yellow shade nettings with shade factors of 75% were used as shading material in the study. Four different nets were examined with three replications in the 720 m2 area. Each plot had 180 m2 and rest of the area had control plot. In this study, the global radiation transmittance, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance and the shading efficiency factor of coloured nets were determined. 06:00-18:00 time period in five open sky days was be considered for determination of shading materials global radiation and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance as monthly. Global radiation, PAR transmittance, and the shading efficiency factor of shade nets were be determined by inside and outside radiation ratio. In this research, the environment conditions under the net-houses were also investigated. The air and plant leaf temperature, and relative humidity were measured by appropriate sensors. Tomato growing was realized for determining the effects of coloured shade nets on crop growing in open field conditions. Furthermore,nine crops were selected as a replication and the crops were monitored 15-day intervals. Vegetative growing parameters (crop height, body thickness, leaf number), yield and fruit quality parameters (average fruit weight and size, EC and pH of fruit juice, water soluble dry matter), fruit colour were measured. Therefore, in this research, determination of global radiation transmittance, PAR transmittance and the shading efficiency factor of coloured shade nets was aimed. Also, the effects of these materials on environment conditions under the protected volume, and tomato growing were determined.