FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCES

CRI research has taken into account numerous reports from farmers who have implemented netting on their farms. While these accounts show first-hand the many benefits of shade nets for citrus production, there are issues that require further attention to mitigate the negative impacts.

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF NETTING INCLUDE:

t Double the growth in new trees planted under shade nets compared to those planted outside. The difference is mostly due to strong winds that hinder growth in the latter group.

t An increased packout of Star Ruby grapefruit by 12% due to reduction in sunburn.

t A 20% to 30% reduction in water requirements for irrigation. t Packouts increased by 15% to 20%, mainly due to reduction in wind blemishes and sunburn.

t Time to harvest is reduced in the Western Cape.

t Fruit quality and size appears larger and more uniform.

t Fruit colour is more intense, fruit size distribution is shifted up by one calibre, and fruit are free of sunburn and wind blemishes.

t Time of flowering is similar, but flowering is more intense, and percentage fruit set is higher under nets.

NEGATIVE ASPECTS THAT REQUIRE MORE RESEARCH:

t Control of citrus red mite is a drawback.

t Control of woolly whitefly in the cool and wet areas of Hexriver in the Western Cape seems to be a major problem under shade nets.

t Mealybug, red scale and citrus red-mite control under nets is much more difficult.

t Fruit colour development in the Nelspruit area of Mpumalanga is somewhat slower under nets, with the harvest being delayed by about three weeks.

t Although chemical residue levels in general are higher under nets, they still comply with the maximum residue level standards.