Effect of coloured shade netting on crops performance under tropical greenhouse

Abstract

A study was carried out at Institute of Sustainable Agrotechnology, INSAT greenhouse for investigating the effects of coloured shade netting on crops performance in terms of its yield, number of leaves, width, height and chlorophyll content. In addition, the shading net properties such as thickness and mesh number was also measured along with the light intensity under each colour of the nets. Four different colour of shading nets were used namely yellow, red, blue and black with shading factor of 70% and 50% together with control (without shade nets). Red, blue and yellow shading net were acquired from Wize Wire Mesh Company, China. Meanwhile, black shading net was purchased from local retailer in Perlis. Results showed that there were differences in crop performance under each coloured shading net. There were differences in the properties of the shading net. Red, blue and yellow shading nets were thicker and have more mesh number per inch squared compared to black shading net. Furthermore, the light intensity was found to be lower under coloured shade nets as compared to the corresponding value under control. Number of yields, plants width, height and chlorophyll content were found to be higher under the coloured shade net as compared to corresponding value in the control. However, number of leaves was found to be more under control. Ultimately, yield was found highest under red as well as blue followed by black, yellow and control.