This allows the mesh of the net to be larger and thus improve light access and plant respiration
Japanese researchers found that the red vegetable nets protect against pests. Since the warning color repels many insects, larger net widths are possible.
If the nets around the vegetable beds are red, they protect against pests much better than the traditional white or black ones. Researchers from the University of Tokyo discovered this and published it in the journal Nature, reported topagrar.com.
The reason is that red is a signal color in nature. However, network size also remains important. The smaller it is, the harder it is even for little ones insects to pass through it.
In 2 mm mesh nets, red and white nets reduced thrips penetration by one-third compared to pure white nets. In 0.8 mm mesh nets, red-black nets reduced thrips infestation to about one-quarter and consistently red nets to one-eighth compared to white nets. In field trials, spring onions partially or completely covered with red netting required a quarter to 50 percent less insecticide than a completely uncovered field, the paper states.
Red makes nets with larger mesh sizes usable. This is a great advantage, since breathing and access to light the vegetables are better and the risk of fungal infections is reduced.
According to the researchers, red nets can provide sustainable and effective support for protection against other pests in fruit and vegetable cultivation, while reducing the use of pesticides.
The strange thing is that most insects don’t have red photoreceptors in their eyes, meaning they don’t actually see red. It is the same with thrips. Therefore, the result seemed strange at first. However, in 2015 it was found that insects detect red light with a wavelength of 650 to 750 nanometers, even though they cannot see it.
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