Evaluation of the effect of Drapenet® on pear quality and productivity

Pear producers suffer severe losses due to sunburn, hail damage, rub marks, and pests. Drapenet® have the potential to reduce such losses. The objective of the trial is to investigate the effect of Drapenet® on fruit quality in ‘Packham’s Triumph’ pear orchards. Post-storage quality was evaluated, focussing on skin ground colour, sunburn, and scuff marks.

Two ‘Packham’s Triumphs’ pear orchards were used for the trial. Black Drapenet® (20 % shade) were mounted at the beginning of December. Before harvest, the nets were removed, and sunburn and scuff marks were counted. A maturity assessment was performed at harvest, after 10 weeks cold storage at -0.5 °C and again after 7 days shelf-life at 20 °C. Return of full bloom was assessed after the first season’s use of Drapenet®. Another assessment will be performed later this season.

The use of Drapenet® reduced sunburn significantly in both orchards. Scuff marks were significantly reduced in pears covered by Drapenet® in both orchards. Fruit quality was not affected by the use of Drapenet® after storage. Pears not covered by Drapenet® had higher TSS levels compared to pears covered by Drapenet® in both orchards. However, both treatments resulted in pears with TSS levels above 11% which is required for export. Return bloom and flower quality was not affected by the use of Drapenet® after both season’s evaluation.

Preliminary results indicate that Drapenet® have the potential to reduce the amount of fruit loss caused by sunburn and scuff marks while maintaining fruit quality. Return of full bloom and flower quality was not affected using Drapenet® for two seasons.

Drapenet® substantially reduced sunburn and/or scuff marks in ‘Packham’s Triumph’ pear orchards. Fruit maturity parameters, such as flesh firmness, MA equivalents and fruit size and weight were not affected by Drapenet® installed over trees. Pears covered with Drapenet® exhibited lower TSS levels than pears not covered with Drapenet®. However, TSS levels met the export requirement. Return of full bloom or flower quality did not differ with the use of Drapenet®.