Colored shade nets effect on growth, flowering, and carbohydrates of vegetable and ornamental plants grown under greenhouse and field conditions

Abstract

Light is available to plants throughout the year and plays an important role in germination, phototropism, and reproduction. High light intensities can reduce plant quality and raises temperature above optimum in greenhouses. Photo selective colored nets can be used to modify and scatter incoming light radiation to provide varying light wavelengths and reduce temperature. In our experiment, four different colored shade nets (aluminate, black, pearl, and red) with 50% shading intensity along with no shade were used to study their effects on plant growth, quality, carbohydrate, and nutrient concentrations. Different vegetables and ornamental plants were selected and grown in a greenhouse and under field conditions (Bear Creek farm Stillwater and Wild Lark farm, Claremore). No shade was best to increase biomass and chlorophyll concentrations while aluminate and pearl shade nets were best to increase sugars and photosynthesis in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivars. While for celosia (Celosia cristata L.), begonia (Begonia tuberhybrida L.), gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii H.), and fountain grass (Pennisteum alopecurold L.) aluminate shade nets performed best to increase growth and quality, but flowering remained unaffected. In dahlias and snapdragons aluminate and pearl colored shade nets were best to increase flowering for both field and greenhouse conditions. Overall, aluminate colored shade net was best to improve growth and quality of vegetables and ornamental plants.