EVALUATION OF WAVELENGTH SELECTIVE SPECTRAL FILMS ON NURSERY STOCK PRODUCTION IN IRELAND

In recent years, protected nursery stock production has been improved by the development of wavelength selective polyethylene films. These films contain spectral filters that regulate the nature of solar radiation entering a greenhouse. They are longer lasting and have better heat retention characteristics when compared to conventional films. The suitability of a number of these wavelength selective spectral films for the production of nursery stock, bedding plants, and soft fruit in Ireland was evaluated under six different films commercially known as Superstrength 600, Supergreen 720, Clarix blue, Sterilite HDF, Superstrength 400 and Celloclim. The plants were evaluated for a number of production and quality parameters including colour intensity, growth, earliness of flowering and pest and disease levels. The Superstrength 600 and Superstrength 400 films produced plants with greater colour intensities; The Supergreen 720 film produced plants with higher weights while Sterilite HDF induced earlier flowering. These results indicate the potential impact of wavelength selective polyethylene films for commercial application in the Irish nursery stock sector by providing nurserymen with a mechanism to produce crops in an environmentally friendly way, while simultaneously improving some growth parameters. However, further research is necessary in order to maximise the benefits of using these films. In particular, to identify the optimum combinations of particular plants and particular films that lead to earlier harvesting and improved quality attributes.