Photoselective shade nets reducing postharvest decay development in pepper fruits

Summary

During two-year studies, we evaluated the influence of photoselective coloured shade nets on the quality of fresh harvested pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum) after prolonged storage and shelf life simulation. Pepper cultivar ‘Romans’ grown in a semi arid region under 35% pearl and yellow shade nets significantly maintained better pepper fruit quality after 16 days at 7°C plus three days at 20°C, mainly by reducing decay incidence during two consecutive years (2008 and 2009), compared to commercial black and red nets. No significant differences were observed in percentage of weight loss, firmness and total soluble solids in fruit harvested under the different coloured shade nets. The skin colour of fruit harvested under Pearl net was significantly lighter than that of fruit harvested under re