Climate change and unexpected seasonal trends are increasingly affecting fruit production. Cover systems are therefore becoming essential, especially to bring harvesting forward.
Cherry orchard with an adjustable ventilation corridor and recessed reinforcement in the background. Photo taken on 13 March 2024.
It is now easier to bring ripening forward thanks to the Rinforzo Rientrato (Recessed Reinforcement) technology developed by Retilplast, which enables a quick adjustment of the ventilation corridor width from 0 to 100 cm by sliding the cover along elastic rods.
"One of our clients from the Bari province has been obtaining excellent results when it comes to hastened ripening for the past seven years. This means it can harvest cherries already in early April and arrive on the market early, thus obtaining interesting prices. By opening the film either partially or entirely, it is possible to lower the temperature inside the structure and obtain air circulation suitable for pollination. The opening can also be closed when the external temperature gets lower" reports Walter Ruggia, technological innovation manager at Retilplast, who frequently visits the production areas where the systems designed by his company are installed.
Cherry orchard with adjustable ventilation corridor and recessed reinforcement technology in the background. Photo taken on 13 March 2024.
"Harvesting under covers ends when harvesting starts in open fields. Quotations of the produce under covers is double that of the produce from the open fields, as producers can count on better quality with larger grades, deep color, sweeter flesh and good texture."
Retilplast structure with central ventilation corridor - photo taken with a drone.
For additional information:
Retilplast srl
Area Industriale, uscita A3
84022 Campagna (SA) - Italy
(+39) 0828 45359
[email protected]
retilplast.it