Australia
February 12, 2013
Giant “floating” nets that create a unique microclimate, protect plants from nasty pests and shelter them from the extremes of Australian weather have proven to be effective in boosting growth rates of baby-leaf lettuce crops.
“The durable and lightweight covers are draped over the crop and secured to the ground so that they appear to float above, creating an impermeable barrier between the plant and its external environment that thwarts insects, birds, hail and other foreign objects,” said AUSVEG Spokesperson, Hugh Gurney.
AUSVEG is the National Peak Industry Body representing Australia’s 9,000 vegetable and potato growers.
The recent study demonstrated floating crop covers’ exceptional capacity for trapping heat and mitigating the effects of wind, generating a humid environment in which vegetable plants can thrive.
Reported in the latest edition of Vegenotes, the three-year trial was conducted by Colin Britton, Primary Investigator of Britton Produce Pty Ltd in Queensland and funded by Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) using the National Vegetable Levy and matched funds from the Australian Government.
“The project identified extensive benefits for the retention of soil moisture and promotion of active plant growth in baby-leaf lettuce.”
“Covers are left on the crop for the full growing phase – four to five weeks – and removed just prior to harvesting. They are light and easy to manage.”
“This technology is not limited to use with baby-leaf lettuce but can also be deployed on wider bed plantations such as baby spinach, Asian greens, head lettuce and even root vegetable crops.”
“Last December’s extreme heat event in Victoria caused various vegetable lines to mature much earlier than they normally would, leading to an overabundance of produce on the market. Crop covers may have prevented such a phenomenon,” Mr Gurney said.
It was also found that despite costing marginally more, European crop covers were far superior, more durable and performed better than those produced in Asia.
“European-produced crop covers can be used season after season, year after year. Those involved in the early stages of the trial some 12 years ago are still in use and remain as efficient as they were on day one,” Mr Gurney said.
Vegenotes is available as a bi-monthly publication alongside Vegetables Australia and is available free to all Australian vegetable levy payers. To receive a copy of Vegenotes please contact AUSVEG.
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