Reducing wind strength up to over 50%, SCIROCCO and LIBECCIO ranges lessen water consumption and minimize the physiological stress of the plant.
According to the latest data from the WCO, World Citrus Organization, citrus production is on the rise globally. However, adverse weather conditions, such as strong winds both hot and cold, can decisively compromise this trend. Libeccio and Scirocco – Arrigoni’s 100% green solutions – respond to these threats.
These solutions protect the citrus orchard not only from unforeseen weather events, such as heavy hailstorms, but also the microclimate is improved thanks to the possibility of reducing the wind up to over 50% and controlling the shade degree. The results are proven with field tests: plant physiological stress is minimized while health and performance of the trees are improved, leading to a high quality of fruit and an increase in productivity of more than 30%.
Moderate winds are welcome in agriculture: they help the pollination process, eliminate cold and humid air, and reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Strong winds, on the other hand, can be one of the biggest problems for producers, both for protected and open-field crops. As wind speed increases, plant growth slows down and is limited, resulting in a reduction in fruit quality and yield.
Arrigoni’s first solution, Scirocco, is a high-density polyethylene mesh stabilized against ultraviolet rays, with an air permeability that can vary from 33 to over 60%, depending on the chosen textile pattern. The Libeccio range is another ideal solution for the development of citrus growing in areas subject to even windstorms. It is in fact a Raschel mesh windbreak protection available in different types according to the areas it is intended for.
Available in the transparent version, LIBECCIO 50 TRANSPARENT acts as anti-hail, anti-frost and moderate shading screen, in order to create the ideal microclimate inside the orchard, favouring the full development of fruits. Specifically, field tests have shown lower temperature fluctuations, better humidity conditions and greatest efficiency in the use of water. Finally, the installation also creates more favourable conditions for workers, without hindering their labour-intensive operations.
Shading and anti-hail screens
In addition to the wind, there are other factors that influence the quality of citrus fruits, such as high insolation and hail. The protection screens that best respond to these risks are Iride Multi Pro extra –knitted mesh with 8% shading factor – and Fructus 5/4, leno hail protection netting in high density polyethylene monofilament with 6% shading factor. Field tests have shown, moreover, that Iride Multi Pro Extra also favors the cultivation of seedless citrus fruits, more appreciated by the consumer, because it controls cross-pollination, the primary cause of the formation of seeds inside fruits.
The latest data released by the World Citrus Organization predict for the 2020/2021 season an increase in citrus production in many of the countries that are today among the largest producers. Just to name a few, Spain, Italy and Greece forecast an average growth of 10%, with total volumes of 11.559 million tons. Emerging realities such as Tunisia and Morocco also show a double-digit increase, respectively of 20 and 13%. Other important producing countries such as Israel, Egypt and Turkey, on the other hand, expect decreases of 4, 8 and 15% respectively in their volumes, precisely due to adverse weather conditions and atmospheric events.
For more information: http://www.arrigoni.it/
