Journal of Horticultural Science
with the collaboration of Iranian Scientific Association for Landscape (ISAL)

The Effect of Color and Shading Rate of Net Shade on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of 'Rabab' Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Fruit

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

A. Bonyanpour 1
F. Esfandiari Bayat 2

1 Crop and Horticulture Science Research Department, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Shiraz, Iran

2 Horticultural Science Research Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Shiraz University. Shiraz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/jhs.2026.91589.1405
Abstract
Introduction
Pomegranate, Punica granatum L., is a subtropical fruit that is cultivated in various regions of Iran. Fars province, with about 27,000 hectares of pomegranate orchards, is the most important pomegranate planting and production area in Iran. In recent years, as a result of climate change and warming, pomegranate orchards in most regions have suffered from heat and drought stresses, which has affected the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the fruit and has reduced the quality and marketability of the fruits produced. Using net shading is one way to reduce the impact of climate change. By reducing the intensity of sunlight and reducing the temperature around the plant, suitable conditions are provided for the growth and development of the tree and reduces the destructive effects of environmental stresses. The color and shading of net shade are also important. Because the color and shading percentage of the canopy affect the physiological activities of the plant.

Materials and Methods
This research was conducted during 2019-2020 for 2 years in a private orchard in the Kohmar area of ​​Kazeron city of Iran. ́̒Rabab̕ pomegranate trees that were planted at a distance of 5 × 5 meter with 15 years old were used. In this research, the effect of different types of net shading was investigated. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 9 treatments and three replications in two years. The experimental treatments included the use of net shading in white and green colors with two different shading percentage (30% and 50%) and two implementation methods (on the base and on the canopy of the tree) which were compared with control trees (without cover). During the growing season, measurements were made in relation to aril weight, pill weight, fruit weight, aril color, TSS, fruit juice content, anthocyanin content, ascorbic acid content and phenol content in all treatments.

Results and Discussions
The use of shading improved the physical and chemical properties of the ‘Rabab̕ pomegranate fruit. The highest fresh weight of the aril was obtained in the 50% green shade treatment without a base, the highest dry weight of the aril was obtained in the 50% green shade treatment with a base, the most suitable aril color was obtained in the 50% white shade treatment with a base, and the highest weight of fruit was obtained in the 50% green shade with a base. However, in all shading treatments, the percentage of fruit juice was superior to the control. Regarding the biochemical characteristics of the fruit juice, the results also showed the appropriate effect of the use of the shading, so that in most shading treatments, the amount of anthocyanin accumulation in the fruit juice, which had a direct effect on the color of the aril and pomegranate juice, increased compared to the control and showed a significant difference. The amount of ascorbic acid was also affected by the use of the shading and its amount in the fruit juice increased, so that in the 50% white shading without a base, the highest amount of ascorbic acid was observed, which showed a significant difference from the control. By improving the environmental conditions around the plant, shading reduces the destructive effects of heat and drought stresses and can improve the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of pomegranate fruit.

Conclusion
Net shads, by improving the environmental conditions around the plant and reducing the intensity of sunlight and temperature, reduces the rate of evaporation and transpiration from the plant and provides the plant with greater access to water and nutrients. It also reduces the impact of heat and light stresses, making more nutrients available for fruit growth and development, thereby improving the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of pomegranate fruit. Using a shade net with 50 percent shading in green or white gave the best results and improved most of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of ́̒Rabab̕ pomegranate fruit.

Keywords

Ascorbic acid
Anthocyanin
Fruit color
Fruit weight
Subjects

Authors retain the copyright. This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

 

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Journal of Horticultural Science
Volume 40, Issue 3
Summer 2026
Pages 399-383

  • Receive Date 10 January 2025
  • Revise Date 23 March 2026
  • Accept Date 11 April 2026
  • First Publish Date 11 April 2026

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