Ind. J. Sci. Res. and Tech.

2014 2(4):11-15/Andhale et al ISSN:-2321-9262 (Online)

Online Available at: http://www.indjsrt.com
Research Article

EFFECT OF SHADENET INTENSITIES AND COLOURS ON

MICROMETEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS, GROWTH AND YIELD OF
CAPSICUM
*R. P. Andhale, B. T. Sinare and A. D. Tumbare
Department of Agronomy, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India
*Author for Correspondence

ABSTRACT
An experiment was conducted in a specially designed shade net at Post Graduate Institute Farm, Mahatma Phule
Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during the year 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. The experiment was carried out in
Completely Randomized Block Design (Factorial) with three replications. The experiment consisted of three
shading intensities viz., 35, 50 and 75 per cent and six different shade net colours viz., black, red, green + white,
green, blue and white. The micrometeorological studies indicated that, micrometeorological parameters viz.,
absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (APAR) and light use efficiency were significantly increased fewer
than 35 per cent shading intensity which resulted into higher photosynthetic rate and ultimately the yield of
capsicum, suggesting suitability of 35 per cent shading intensity for capsicum cultivation under protected
cultivation.
The micro-meteorological parameters viz., APAR, light use efficiency, photosynthetic rate and yield of capsicum
were significantly improved under green + white and green shade net colours than other shade net colours during
both the years. The 35 per cent shading intensity in combination with green + white coloured shade net recorded
higher values in respect of micrometeorological traits viz., absorbed photosynthetically active radiation, light use
efficiency and yield of capsicum.

Key Words: Sweet Pepper, Shading Intensities, Shadenet Colour, APAR, LUE and Yield

INTRODUCTION
Sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.) also known as 'simla mirch' or bell pepper is a cool season tropical crop and
lacks adaptability to varied environmental conditions. Despite its economic importance, growers are not in a position
to produce good quality capsicum with high productivity due to various biotic (pest and diseases), abiotic (rainfall,
temperature, relative humidity and light intensity) and crop factors (flower and fruit drop). Hence, to obtain a good
quality produce and production during off season, there is a need to cultivate capsicum under protected conditions
such as green houses or polyhouses or shadenet houses.
During the last decades, due to increased air temperature and intensity of solar radiation caused by climate changes,
an increasing area of crops is being grown under shading materials of various types. ColorNets represent a new
agro-technological concept, which aims at combining the physical protection, together with differential filtration of
the solar radiation. The shading of crops results in number of changes on both local microclimate and crop activity.
Shade netting not only decreases light quantity but also alters light quality to a varying extent and might also change
other environmental conditions. It was found that red and pearl shade nets significantly increased the total yield
(43.5 and 49.5 %) as compared to black shade nets (Zoran et al., 2011). In view of this the present experiment was
conducted to study the influence of shade net intensities and colours on micrometeorological parameters, growth and
yield of capsicum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An experiment was conducted in a specially designed shade net at Post Graduate Institute Farm, Mahatma Phule
Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar (MS) during the year 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. The capsicum
variety used was F1 hybrid ‘Indra’.
The experiment was carried out in Completely Randomized Block Design (Factorial) with three replications. The
experiment consisted of eighteen treatment combinations comprised of three shading intensities viz., 35, 50 and 75
per cent and six different shade net colours viz., black, red, green + white, green, blue and white.
Raised beds of 45 cm height, 1 m width and 18 m length were prepared, keeping 50 cm spacing in between the beds
as working path. One month age healthy seedlings were transplanted at the spacing of 60 cm x 30 cm on the raised
beds and irrigated through drip irrigation. The recommended package of practices was followed. The capsicum fruits
were harvested periodically. The periodical observations on micrometeorological parameters, growth and yields
were recorded.

11
Ind. J. Sci. Res. and Tech. 2014 2(4):11-15/Andhale et al ISSN:-2321-9262 (Online)
Online Available at: http://www.indjsrt.com
Research Article

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation
Shading intensities
The periodical absorption of photosynthetically active radiation by capsicum was significantly influenced by
shading intensities. The absorption of photosynthetically active radiation was significantly higher in 35 per cent
shading intensity than 50 and 75 per cent shading intensities at all the days of observations.
This might be associated with the total quantum of light flux reaching the leaf surface where absorption of radiation
takes place. Lower the shading intensity more the selectivity of plant to absorb the photosynthetically active
radiation for synthesis of organic constituents for growth and development of the plant. Similar results were reported
by Kittas et al., (2009), Medany et al., (2009) and Vethamoni and Natarajan (2008).
Shade net colours
The absorption of photosynthetically active radiation was found significantly higher in shadenet colour Green +
White and the lowest in black coloured shade net during the year 2008-09 and 2009-10, respectively. However, red,
green, blue and white coloured shade nets were found statistically at par with each other for absorption of
photosynthetically active radiation by capsicum.
Significantly lowest absorption of photosynthetically active radiation was recorded in black shade net colour owing
to opaque nature of black colour it gives less reflection in all colour spectra and thereby reduced photosynthetic rate
and dry matter production. The green + white combination of shade net colour was found significantly superior for
absorption of photosynthetically active radiation. This might be associated with the complete transmission of light
from the white colour to the absorbing surface of capsicum. Secondly combination of green + white colour has more
selectivity for light flux required for photosynthesis. The results are in conformity with the findings of Shahak et al.,
(2009), Medany et al., (2009) and Zoran et al., (2011).
Light use efficiency
A strong relationship is observed between above ground biomass production and absorbed PAR. The LUE was
higher at 90 DAT and decreased with advancement in crop age at 180 and 270 DAT. The highest LUE of capsicum
was 0.58 and 0.97 g/MJ in 2008-09 and 2009-10, respectively at 90 DAT which clearly shows effect of radiation on
LUE due to direct relation between biomass accumulation and CO2 assimilation rate.
Shading intensities
Light use efficiency was significantly higher in 35 per cent shading intensity 0.83 and 1.09 g/MJ in 2008-09 and
2009-10, respectively followed by 50 per cent shading, while it was significantly the lowest in the 75 per cent
shading intensity during both the years at all three times of observations except at 90 DAT in 2009-10. This may be
ascribed to significant increase in biomass production and increase in the amount of absorbed PAR. With increase in
fraction of diffuse radiation under 35 per cent shading intensity, there is an increase in biomass accumulation due to
the relative contribution of the shaded leaves, since they are much more photosynthetically efficient than those
exposed to direct sunlight which contributes to the increase in LUE. Similar results were reported Medany et al.,
(2009) and Helal and Ghany (2010).
Shade net colours
The highest light use efficiency was recorded in green + white coloured shade net followed by green colour shade
net. Significantly the lowest light use efficiency was recorded in black shade net colour at all the three periods of
observations in both the years of experimentation. This might be associated with the opaque nature of black colour,
which gives less reflection and reduced amount of transmitted flux of light to absorbing surfaces of plants in all
colour spectra and thereby reducing the photosynthetic rate and dry matter production resulting into lower light use
efficiency. The results are in conformity with Medany et al., (2009) and Zoran et al., (2011).
Growth Studies
Shading intensities
The 35 per cent shading intensity significantly increased important growth attributes viz., leaf area and dry
matter/plant and important yield contributing characters viz., number of fruits/plant resulting in significant increase
in capsicum yield (118.59 t/ha) as compared to shading intensities of 50 (97.87 t/ha) and 75 per cent (81.50 t/ha)
suggesting that capsicum may be grown under 35 per cent shading intensity.
Shadenet colours
Green + white shade net colour significantly increased the growth attributes viz., leaf area and dry matter/plant and
important yield contributing characters viz., number of fruits/plant resulting in significant increase in capsicum yield
(113.19 t/ha) as compared to other shade net colours, suggesting suitability of green + white shade net colour for
capsicum cultivation.

12
Ind. J. Sci. Res. and Tech. 2014 2(4):11-15/Andhale et al ISSN:-2321-9262 (Online)
Online Available at: http://www.indjsrt.com
Research Article

Table 1: Effect of shading intensities and shadenet colours on periodical absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and Light use Efficiency in
capsicum during 2008-09 and 2009-10
Absorbed photosynthetically active radiation Light use efficiency
(µ moles/m2/s) (g/MJ)
Treatments 2008-09 2009-10 2008-09 2009-10
90 DAT 180 DAT 270 DAT 90 DAT 180 DAT 270 90 DAT 180 270 90 DAT 180 270
DAT DAT DAT DAT DAT
Shading intensities
(Per Cent)
35 376.50 239.00 282.83 247.17 269.17 290.50 0.83 0.45 0.27 1.09 0.42 0.22
50 301.50 225.17 253.33 230.67 263.67 289.17 0.58 0.34 0.20 0.94 0.41 0.21
75 164.33 218.83 191.00 224.67 234.83 260.39 0.32 0.25 0.16 0.89 0.36 0.19
SEm + 1.25 1.31 6.67 9.10 16.11 13.84 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.13 0.00 0.01
CD at 5 % 3.49 3.78 19.13 26.09 NS NS 0.02 0.01 0.01 NS 0.01 0.01
Shadenet colours
Black 205.00 170.00 198.22 225.00 232.00 265.78 0.41 0.28 0.17 0.83 0.37 0.20
Red 223.67 171.00 207.44 227.67 239.00 280.67 0.46 0.29 0.18 0.93 0.39 0.20
Green 331.67 300.00 268.33 235.00 266.67 283.67 0.67 0.39 0.24 1.02 0.41 0.22
Green + White 346.67 306.33 285.89 251.33 267.33 286.00 0.91 0.49 0.29 1.05 0.42 0.22
Blue 262.00 196.00 241.89 232.67 264.67 281.00 0.48 0.31 0.19 1.00 0.39 0.21
White 315.67 222.67 253.56 233.33 265.67 283.00 0.54 0.33 0.20 1.01 0.40 0.21
SEm + 1.72 1.75 9.43 12.86 22.78 19.58 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.19 0.00 0.01
CD at 5 % 4.93 4.94 27.06 NS NS NS 0.02 0.01 0.01 NS 0.01 NS
Interaction
SEm + 2.23 3.16 36.34 42.18 39.46 33.91 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.32 0.01 0.01
CD at 5 % 6.50 9.50 NS NS NS NS 0.04 0.03 0.02 NS 0.02 NS
General mean 280.78 227.67 242.56 234.17 255.89 280.02 0.58 0.35 0.21 0.97 0.40 0.21

13
Ind. J. Sci. Res. and Tech. 2014 2(4):11-15/Andhale et al ISSN:-2321-9262 (Online)
Online Available at: http://www.indjsrt.com
Research Article

Table 2: Effect of shading intensities and shadenet colours on growth and yield of capsicum
Pooled Leaf area/plant Pooled Mean dry matter/plant (g) Pooled Number of Green Capsicum Yield
2
Treatments (dm ) fruits/plant (t/ha)
90 180 270 90 180 DAT 270 DAT 90 180 270 2008-09 2009- Pooled
DAT DAT DAT DAT DAT DAT DAT 10
Shading intensities
(Per Cent)
35 159.29 260.16 201.04 133.17 193.38 166.99 15.64 17.44 10.72 120.59 116.59 118.59
50 158.36 259.13 191.57 119.06 178.34 150.78 13.72 14.33 10.56 100.52 95.22 97.87
75 155.94 258.25 188.41 94.00 152.80 121.75 11.28 12.97 8.56 85.80 77.20 81.50
SEm + 1.18 2.85 1.83 0.73 1.28 1.74 0.26 0.38 0.18 1.47 1.27 2.52
CD at 5 % NS NS 5.43 2.16 3.81 5.18 0.78 1.13 0.54 4.22 3.64 7.49
Shadenet colours
Black 113.76 210.95 142.47 108.74 170.04 128.72 11.83 12.50 9.00 92.62 85.53 89.08
Red 134.52 247.43 160.11 110.79 170.97 145.56 12.17 13.61 9.28 94.53 90.22 92.38
Green 177.92 287.06 223.37 119.28 177.44 151.61 14.78 15.72 10.61 107.59 101.47 104.53
Green + White 198.02 292.28 239.27 122.91 183.38 152.76 15.22 16.56 10.67 119.79 106.59 113.19
Blue 157.37 255.40 197.51 114.64 171.37 149.67 13.06 15.56 9.78 99.59 95.41 97.50
White 165.59 261.97 199.30 116.09 175.84 150.72 14.22 15.56 10.33 99.71 98.77 99.24
SEm + 1.66 4.03 2.59 0.84 1.48 2.01 0.37 0.54 0.26 2.08 1.80 2.91
CD at 5 % 4.95 11.97 7.68 2.41 4.25 5.77 1.11 1.61 0.77 5.97 5.15 8.36
Interaction
SEm + 2.88 6.98 4.48 1.78 3.14 4.27 0.65 0.94 0.75 3.61 3.11 6.18
CD at 5 % NS NS 13.31 5.28 9.33 12.68 NS NS NS 10.34 8.92 NS
General mean 157.86 259.18 193.67 115.41 174.84 146.51 13.55 14.92 9.94 102.30 96.33 99.32

14
Ind. J. Sci. Res. and Tech. 2014 2(4):11-15/Andhale et al ISSN:-2321-9262 (Online)
Online Available at: http://www.indjsrt.com
Research Article

Green (fresh) capsicum yield

Shading intensities
The green (fresh) capsicum yield was significantly increased fewer than 35 per cent shading intensity and
significantly decreased fewer than 75 per cent shading intensity during both the years and on pooled basis. The
capsicum yield on pooled basis (118.59 t/ha) was increased by 45.51 per cent with 35 per cent shading intensity and
20.19 per cent (97.87 t/ha) with 50 per cent shading intensity as compared to 75 per cent (81.50 t/ha) shading
intensity. The availability of more APAR under 35 per cent shading intensity resulted into higher light use efficiency
and photosynthetic rate. Similar results were reported by Haque et al., (2009) and Zoran et al., (2011).
Shade net colours
The green (fresh) capsicum yield was significantly more with green + white coloured shade net (119.79, 106.59 and
113.19 t/ha) than other shade net colours during both the years and in pooled data. The green capsicum yield under
green + white shade net colour was increased by 29.33, 24.62 and 27.07 per cent during the year 2008-09, 2009-10
and in pooled means as compared to traditionally used black shade net colour. This was attributed to the fact that,
green + white colour might have scattered more light resulting into availability of more diffused radiation causing
higher absorption of PAR resulting in more light use efficiency and photosynthetic rate, whereas black colour acts as
opaque material causing less reflection of all light spectra thereby reducing the APAR, LUE, photosynthetic rate and
dry matter accumulation and ultimately resulting into reduction in green (fresh) capsicum yield. Similar results were
recorded by Shahak et al., (2009) and Zoran et al., (2011). It is, therefore, suggested to use green + white coloured
shade net for higher green (fresh) capsicum productivity.

REFERENCES
Haque MM, Hassanuzzaman M & Rahman ML (2009). Effect of light intensity on morpho-physiology and
yield of bottle gourd (Langenaria vulgaris). Academic Journal of Plant Sciences, 2(3) 158-161.
Helal AIM & Ghany AAM (2010). Response of plastic shading nets to global and diffuse PAR transfer: Optical
properties and evaluation. Journal of Life Sciences, 57 125-132.
Kittas C, Rigakis N, Katsoulas N & Bartzanas T (2009). Influence of shading screens on microclimate, growth
and productivity of tomato. Acta Horticulturae, 807 97-102.
Medany AM, Hassanein MK & Farag AA (2009). Effect of black and white nets as alternative covers in sweet
pepper production under greenhouses in Egypt. Acta Horticulturae, 807 121-126.
Shahak Y, Ratner K, Zur N, Offir Y, Matan E, Yehezkel H., Messsika Y, Posalski I & Ben-Yakir D
(2009). Photoselective netting: An emerging approach in protected agriculture. Acta Horticulturae, 807 79-84.
Vethamoni PI & Natarajan S (2008). Cultivation of sweet pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum var. grossum L.)
under shade net in tropical plains of Tamil Nadu. Asian Journal of Horticulture, 3(2) 372-376.
Zoran I, Lidija M, Mihal D & Nikolaos K (2011). The effect of colour shade nets on the greenhouse climate and
pepper yield. Proceedings 46th Croatian and 6th International Symposium on Agriculture, Opatija, Croatia 529-532.

15