Improved Porosity of Insect Proof Screens Enhances Quality Aspects of Zucchini Squash without Compromising the Yield

Abstract

In a global climate change environment, assuring optimal growing conditions is a difficult challenge, compromising the food supply for a rapidly rising population. The climatic conditions in the protected environment lead to high temperatures and fast insect development, impacting productivity and vegetables qualitative attributes. Consumers’ interest in healthy food requires sustainable tools to manage biotic and abiotic factors and, from this perspective, anti-insect nets represent an excellent “green” solution. For this purpose, our goal was to compare two different anti-insect nets on microclimate, production, and qualitative traits of Cucurbita pepo L. fresh fruits. The experiment was conducted in three separate polyethylene high tunnels, with 50 mesh anti-insect nets of different porosities being installed on the openings of two tunnels, while the third tunnel was a control without nets. Microclimate measurements, as well as yield, physiological, and phytochemicals variables, were assessed. The 50 mesh net led to a decrease in marketable yield (22.5%), fruit number (18.0%), CO2 net assimilation rate (6.0%), and transpiration rate (29.5%). Total soluble solids, antioxidant activities and total ascorbic acid concentration had an opposite trend. The 50 mesh AirPlus net improved quality aspects of zucchini fruits by increasing total ascorbic acid, total phenols, and antioxidant compounds, with no negative impact on yield.

An Insect- and Rain-Proof Net Raises the Production and Quality of Chinese Bayberry by Preventing Damage From Insects and Altering Bacterial Communities

“…However, traditional strategies to protect the fruits by using insecticides may pose residual risks to the fruit, the environment and human health ( Devine and Furlong, 2007 ); in addition, application of insecticides may not completely eliminate the insects, possibly due to the development of insect resistance ( Sparks et al, 2020 ), as confirmed by the results of our study ( Figure 1C ). IPNs are suitable tools for insect control ( Formisano et al, 2020a ) and have been widely used on vegetables, melons and fruits ( Chien and Chang, 2019 ; Formisano et al, 2020b ). However, the effects of IPNs on Chinese bayberry fruits have not yet been reported.…”

Biochemical, Physiological, and Productive Response of Greenhouse Vegetables to Suboptimal Growth Environment Induced by Insect Nets

“…In recent years, the agro-textile industry has tested and marketed innovative nets with improved airflow, due to thinner threads, without affecting exclusion performance. A recent experiment carried out by Formisano et al [27] investigated the effects of a suboptimal growth environment induced by two 50-mesh nets with different porosities (Biorete ® 50 mesh and Biorete ® 50 mesh AirPlus, Arrigoni S.p.A, Uggiate Trevano, CO, Italy) on the production and quality attributes of Cucurbita pepo L. in controlled growing conditions. The improved porosity of the 50-mesh AirPlus net, due to a thinner HDPE filament (Harlene HT ® , Arrigoni S.p.A, Uggiate Trevano, CO, Italy), resulted in increased quality traits of zucchini squash without compromising yield.…”

“…Wahid et al [112] reported that the accumulation of anthocyanins caused a decrease in the osmotic leaf potential to maximize the absorption and prevent water loss through transpiration, as well as acting as a UV screen. In a recent trial on zucchinis grown under anti-insect nets, thermal stress increased the contents of hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity, total phenols, and total ascorbic acid [27]. Camejo et al [94] underlined the photoprotective activity of carotenoids such as xanthophyll and terpenoids such as tocopherol in the stabilization of thylakoid membranes.…”

“…However, due to the "antioxidant response" to oxidative stress, high temperatures can alter the intrinsic and extrinsic quality of vegetables, both positively and negatively. A recent study showed the effectiveness of insect nets in enhancing the quality of zucchini squash without affecting yield and, at the same time, ensuring early production [27]. To the best of our knowledge, despite relevant available research papers on the improved airflow of insect nets and their high-temperature effects on the production and quality of horticultural crops, the reviewed literature showed a gap of information in this field of research.…”

Pearl Grey Shading Net Boosts the Accumulation of Total Carotenoids and Phenolic Compounds That Accentuate the Antioxidant Activity of Processing Tomato

“…Historically, the primary goal of the horticultural supply chain was to ensure food security by breeding ‘high yielding’ genotypes, considering quality as something exclusively related to visual attributes such as size, shape, and color [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. However, a changed socio-economic and cultural context have accelerated the transition to a ‘consumer-oriented’ model, where the consumer is aware and informed about the nutraceutical value of vegetables [ 1 , 4 ]. The irreconcilable contrast between the frenetic rhythms imposed by modern times and the desire for a healthy lifestyle has drawn attention to the importance of a nourishing diet as a lifeline [ 5 ].…”