Floating nets create baby-leaf boom

Growth rates of baby-leaf lettuce crops have been boosted by giant ‘floating’ nets. The nets create a unique microclimate, protecting plants from pests and extreme weather.

“The durable and lightweight covers are draped over the crop and secured to the ground so that they appear to float above, creating an impermeable barrier between the plant and its external environment that thwarts insects, birds, hail and other foreign objects,” said AUSVEG spokesperson Hugh Gurney.

A recent study demonstrated the floating crop covers’ capacity for trapping heat and mitigating the effects of wind, generating a humid environment in which vegetable plants can thrive. The three-year trial was conducted by Colin Britton, Primary Investigator of Britton Produce in Queensland, and reported in the latest edition of Vegenotes, AUSVEG’s bimonthly publication.

“Covers are left on the crop for the full growing phase - four to five weeks - and removed just prior to harvesting. They are light and easy to manage,” Gurney said.

“This technology is not limited to use with baby-leaf lettuce but can also be deployed on wider bed plantations such as baby spinach, Asian greens, head lettuce and even root vegetable crops.”

Recent extreme heat events caused some vegetable lines to mature much earlier than usual, leading to an overabundance of produce on the market, Gurney said, but crop covers could have prevented this from happening.

The study was funded by Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) using the National Vegetable Levy, matched by funds from the Australian Government.