Effects of Shade Net Colors on Mineral Elements and Postharvest Shelf Life and Quality of Fresh Fig (<i>Ficus carica</i> L.) under Rain-Fed Condition

Abstract

Photoselective netting is well known for filtering the intercepted solar radiation, thus affecting light quality. While its effects on leaf mineral elements have been well investigated, how color netting affects fruit mineral nutrients remains elusive. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of shade provided by blue and yellow nets on mineral nutrients of fig trees under rain-fed conditions. The experiment was arranged as a split-plot treatment in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Cultivars “Sabz” and “Siah” were covered with color nets or left uncovered (as the control group). The highest nitrogen content (8710 ppm) was recorded for cultivar “Sabz” covered with blue net. Color nets enhanced calcium concentration in cultivar “Siah”. Covering fig trees with yellow net increased magnesium content in cultivar “Siah” and phosphorus content in cultivar “Sabz”. Our observation showed the significant positive effect of photo selective nets on postharvest quality, by decreasing fig fruit weight loss and extending shelf life of fruits. In general, color nets as a new agro-technological approach can maintain fruit nutrition under rain-fed conditions and increase postharvest shelf life and quality of fresh fig.

Keywords

• <i>Ficus carica</i>
• nutrition
• shelf life
• weight loss