What percent of shade cloth for tomatoes？
When growing tomatoes, it can be challenging to strike the right balance between providing them with enough sunlight and preventing them from getting too much sun.
Excessive sun exposure can scorch or blister tomatoes, ruining their flavor and appearance.
So, what is the best shade rate for tomatoes？
The answer is that the most suitable shade percentage for tomatoes is 30 to 50%.
Choosing the correct percentage of Shade cloth for tomatoes is the perfect way to protect your plants from the sun while allowing them to get enough light.
A study by Gent showed that total yield decreased with increasing shade (15%,30%, 50%), but there was no shade effect on marketable fruit yield. The fraction of marketable fruit was most significant for plants under 50% shade. Cracked skin was the most affected fruit defect by shade; up to 35% of the tomatoes produced in greenhouses without shade had broken skin, whereas, in greenhouses covered with 50% shade, only 25% to 29% of the tomatoes had cracked skin.
Liu’s study showed that tomatoes could grow well and produce higher yields if some moderate shading (40% shading) was applied at the LF stage in midday summer.
Another study from Texas indicated that shading tomato plants at 50% shade reduced heat stress, whereas a lower percentage of shade was better.
Different shade cloths provide different shade levels, so choosing the right one for your needs is essential.
So, A shading rate of 30-50 will have a beneficial effect on your tomato growth.
In the previous section, we answered the question about the correct shading rate for tomatoes.
In the next article,
we will discuss the shading problem when growing tomatoes in a few ways.
Summer is the best time to shade your tomatoes.
According to research, shading that reduced daily integrated solar radiation to 5-6 MJ.m(-2) effectively increased marketable fruit yields when the air temperature exceeded 25 degrees C.
Colors often used for shade screens include black, pearl white, red, and green.
A study in the southern part of Serbia (Aleksinac) concluded that shading reduced the appearance of tomato cracking by 50% and eliminated sun scalds on tomato fruits, thereby increasing marketable tomato production by 35% compared to non-shading conditions.
Sunscald injury, cracked skin, and blossom-end rot were the most common defects affected by pearl and red nets with 40% shade.
In an experiment conducted by Zoran, tomatoes grown in greenhouses with red shade netting showed significantly higher lycopene content (64.9 μg g−1) than those grown in fields without such protective measures (48.1 μg g−1).
There are several reasons why tomato skins might split.
One reason is that the plant receives too much water, and the fruit grows too quickly. This can happen if you water your plants too often or use a sprinkler system that waters them for too long.
Another reason for skin splitting can be fluctuating temperatures, such as if the plants are in a greenhouse that is not well-ventilated and has high temperatures.
Finally, specific varieties of tomatoes are more prone to skin splitting than others.
If you are growing a variety known for skin splitting, you can try using shade cloth or ensuring the plants do not receive too much water.
Tomatoes can grow under shade cloth but will not produce as much fruit as they would if grown in full sun.
The shade you provide will determine how well the plant grows and how much fruit it produces.
If you want the best results, use shade cloth that provides 30-50% shade.
White shade netting is generally more effective than black at protecting tomato plants from the summer heat.
White shade netting provides excellent shade while also reflecting sunlight. This reflection reduces the overall heat load on the plants, helping to keep them cooler.
Additionally, white netting offers diffuse reflection, which scatters the light more evenly. This creates a more favorable microclimate for the plants, enhancing their growth conditions.
In contrast, black-shade netting primarily absorbs heat, sometimes resulting in higher temperatures underneath the net.
Therefore, with the same shade rate,
white shade netting is superior for both shading and promoting the healthy growth of tomato plants.
Extensive practice has proven that 35% white shade netting is optimal for growing tomatoes.
Ready to Enhance Your Crop Protection?
At EyouAgro, we offer high-quality shade cloths tailored to your needs, ensuring the best crop protection. Whether you’re growing tomatoes, vegetables, or fruits, our shade nettings provide optimal light and heat management for increased productivity.
Contact us today to get a personalized solution that fits your farm perfectly. Let us help you achieve healthier and more abundant harvests!
