Influence of multifunctional photo-selective nets on epicarp color of mango fruit (Mangifera indica L.)

The cultivation of tropical fruits, such as mango (Mangifera indica L.), has been increasing in southern Italy due to global warming. This shift allows for the growth of high-value crops, necessitating the use of anti-hail nets to protect against frequent hailstorms. Plastic nets are widely used in orchards to shield plants from various environmental factors and can alter light, temperature, airflow, and humidity. Photoselective nets, which filter the light spectrum, have been shown to influence phenological events in various crops. This study investigates the impact of different types of nets on the epicarp color of mango fruits in a ‘Kensington Pride’ mango orchard in Scanzano Jonico, Italy. Six types of nets were tested: photo-selective yellow and pearl, shading black, neutral, grilux, and mixed dual. Over three years, the color composition of the fruit surface was analyzed using Python-based image processing. Results were not very strong, and indicated that the yellow and pearl nets showed slightly lower percentages of green on the fruit surface, although not in all three years of the study. This suggests that these nets may influence skin pigmentation and/or maturation time. The study concludes that further research on different colored nets is needed to identify which one is best for obtaining the optimal fruit color.