Effect of Photoselective Shading Nets on Productivity and Economic Viability in Pepper Crops

In recent years, the use of photoselective shading nets to mitigate the harmful high radiation caused by the increase in temperatures is growing. The objective of this work was to study the positive effects - in terms of yield and profitability of photoselective shade nets in two types of pepper: Lamuyo (cultivars Alcudia and Pompeo) and California (cultivars Bendigo and Cayetano). The weekly yields, classified into different calibre, were analysed over two years, and for the analysis of economic profitability, the Equivalent Annual Value (EAV) was used with an analysis of sensitivity. The yields obtained with the pearl-colored net giving ۳۰% shading were superior to open cultivation (no netting), in all the studied cultivars; in particular, Cayetano and Pompeo had ۱۳۶ and ۸۶% greater yields, respectively. This same trend was observed for the red-colored net giving ۳۰% shading, with ۸۸ and ۷۴% increase in yield in Cayetano and Pompeo, respectively. In economic terms, the EAV was superior with the use of the pearl net, especially for the cultivars Alcudia and Cayetano - being €۱۴,۸۶۴ and €۱۳,۳۲۶ ha-۱ yr-۱, respectively. The yield and profitability were better for the crops grown under the pearl-colored photoselective net, especially for cultivars Alcudia and Cayetano. The sensitivity analysis showed that the probability of obtaining negative returns was higher in the absence of netting, while under the shade nets it was below ۱۰%.

کلیدواژه ها:

Equivalent annual value ، High solar radiation ، Monte Carlo simulation ، Net present value.