Introduction

Hail damage is unavoidable in many horticultural crops. This damage can result in the destruction of entire crops and even non-recoverable harvests. A hail protection mesh is a form of protection provided to horticultural crops. This netting provides a physically sound form of protection for horticultural crops and can reduce hail damage.

Hail protection mesh is made of a varied composition of tough fibers. Which absorb the impact and energies of hail and retard them. These fibers are usually made of durable synthetic materials, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and polyester. Which enable them to resist hail blows and disperse the energy. These fabrics are design to absorb impact, not to repel hail. Therefore, it is important to note that it does not function as a protective shield.

The hail protection mesh is install on firm ground, preferably in an open field

The mesh material must be robust and resistant to withstand field work. Various supports can be use to carry the netting, such as metal suspenders. Which are secure to each other to fit the area where it is being install. Various combinations of the different supports can be use depending on the area where it is being install. These supports must be well secure to the ground to maintain their security.

The mesh is then apply directly to the supports. The mesh can be trimmed to fit the area. The extremely strong material provides a protective physical barrier, which helps protect crops from hail damage. The netting is tightly tensioned over the supports and the supports are shackled together along the edges to ensure a tight fit. This eliminates the danger of blowing off the material. Once the hail protection mesh is install. It is important to perform a visual inspection from time to time to ensure that the netting is in good condition, particularly after any hail storm. If the netting is already damage, it is important to replace it immediately to prevent further damage.

Hail protection mesh is the best method of protecting horticultural crops from hail damage. It provides a safe and reliable protective barrier, and with proper maintenance. Can ensure that crops will be safe throughout the season. The netting can be combine with other existing methods to ensure the best possible protection for crops. This netting has become a safe and durable alternative to prevent hail damage to many crops, particularly horticultural crops, and is an excellent protective measure for crop growers.

What characteristics should a quality hail protection mesh have on a horticultural crop?

An hail protection mesh is a very useful tool to protect horticultural crops from hail damage. These nets offer excellent mechanical resistance to reduce damage to fruits and leaves, thus avoiding inconveniences at harvest time.

But for an hail protection mesh to be of high quality, it must comply with some important characteristics. First of all, it must have a high quality material. Different types of fabrics can be use, from expanded plastic to galvanized wires. The strongest and most durable mesh for a hail cover is made of quality woven wire. The mesh should have good corrosion resistance and should also have good abrasion and fatigue resistance.

It is also important that the netting be lightweight. This means that any harvesting can be carry out with greater ease. Horticultural crops are a sensitive variety of plants that can be damage by excessive canopy weight. For this reason, a hail protection mesh should not be too heavy.

It is important that it has good dimensional stability to ensure that the netting fits snugly to its location in the field

The nets must be precisely design so that they do not bend or wear out when applied

In addition, the material should be sufficiently flexible so that it can be easily configure to suit the terrain configuration or surface.

Hail protection mesh must be weather resistant, as rain and wind can cause crop damage. Therefore, an additional coating layer is recommend to protect the mesh materials from the action of the weather elements. This can be achieve by adding an impregnation to the netting, which produces enhanced protection against weather agents.

In addition, hail protection mesh must be heat resistant. The hot air of hot summers can cause significant thermal degradation to crops, especially those that are harvest or associate with poultry. This can be avoid by installing high temperature resistant netting by regulating the temperature and reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching much of the crops.

Consideration should be give to the permeability of the hail protection mesh. This means that it must have the capacity to allow the nutrients and moisture required for crop survival to pass through. The pores of the netting must be large enough to allow water and nutrients to enter while preventing the passage of parasites and pests. This property is especially important for plant germination and a healthy crop environment.

To have a quality hail protection mesh for a horticultural crop, aspects such as material quality, corrosion resistance, abrasion and fatigue resistance, lightness, dimensional stability, weather resistance, heat resistance and permeability must be take into account. By following these steps, you can count on a netting that provides excellent protection against hail damage.

Relevance of protecting a horticultural crop from hail

In many countries, hail is a common weather event that can cause devastation to crops and forests and damage food production and health in a dramatic way. Hail is consider one of the main threats to farmers, as it can cause great economic damage to exposed horticultural crops. For this reason, preventive measures must be take to protect crops from hail.

When hailstones fall, swarms of small stones can hit the surface of horticultural crops, causing significant direct and indirect damage. Direct damage refers to plant destruction and indirect damage refers to mechanical damage caused by hail that is difficult to detect and slows crop growth and development. For this reason, hail control is often consider the best way to protect crops.

There are some effective ways to protect a horticultural crop from hail. One of the most common is the construction of protective roofing over it with sturdy materials such as wood, wire mesh or wire netting. This will significantly reduce the incidence and negative effects of hail. Another way to prevent hail damage is the use of pesticides. Although these chemicals can be effective in preventing damage from hail, they are not without risks and should only be use with caution.

One way to protect a horticultural crop from hail is to stocking deeper furrows

This would be useful in an orchard as it will result in the retention of more water, providing better conditions for the crop, as hail will cause less damage to crops located in the deeper furrows. Soil management with a good mix of organic matter can also significantly improve crop resistance to hail.

To protect a horticultural crop from hail, growers can also plant hail-resistant plants such as tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, apples, pears, among others. These plants have a better resistance to hail, which allows them to survive even when hail falls harder.

In addition, growers should select more hail-resistant vegetable crops, such as tomatoes and peppers, as substitutes for the crops normally planted in a plantation. Using new plant varieties also helps growers increase crop resistance to hail and, therefore, reduce the resulting damage.

It is obvious why protecting a horticultural crop against hail is of the utmost relevance and should be seen as a priority by growers. Good storm preparation includes ensuring that crops are protect with the measures describe above. By taking the proper precautions, growers can prevent hail from causing extensive damage to their horticultural crops.