Higher yields with high porosity insect control screens

MARCH 2019

In the state of Colima, Mexico — near the Pacific coast at about 20° latitude — one of the largest greenhouse tomato operations, NatureSweet, has implemented a high-porosity insect control screen to improve ventilation and production in challenging tropical conditions. NatureSweet grows cherry tomatoes across 81 hectares of plastic passive greenhouses, where extreme heat and high humidity make both ventilation and insect control priorities.

Climate challenges

NatureSweet’s Colima operation experiences hot, humid conditions throughout much of the year, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 35°C and humidity levels fluctuating between 50% and 100%. Light levels can vary widely from bright sun to overcast rainy conditions. These climate factors combined can negatively impact productivity, making it difficult to achieve consistent yields.

“High temperatures make us very cautious when it comes to selecting the technologies that we want to implement. What I’m looking for is an improvement in the climates within the greenhouses. However, one of the limitations or one of the factors that has the most influence and impact on productivity in climates like here is a burden of insects and diseases,” says Manuel Matías, General Manager of NatureSweet’s Colima operation.

The solution: Xsect Balance insect control nets

To address ventilation limitations and insect pressure, NatureSweet tested Xsect Balance, a thin-yarn insect control screen with higher porosity that allows improved airflow. The team compared one greenhouse fitted with Xsect Balance to a similar greenhouse using conventional insect mesh.

“The difference we saw with Xsect Balance versus the mesh we used before was that ventilation improved a lot. It was totally different, a big change. Even the crops at the center of the greenhouse managed to get ventilation, because the Xsect Balance screen greatly benefited that aspect. It helps us ventilate, it helps us with the air exchange rate inside the greenhouse, it lowers the temperature, and even helps us to balance out the outside humidity with the inside humidity,” says grower Miguel Vega.

Prior to using Xsect Balance, NatureSweet had tried other high-porosity screens. While those improved ventilation, they did not prevent a high influx of insects. By contrast, Xsect Balance provided effective insect exclusion while also increasing ventilation.

Results in production

Thanks to Xsect Balance, the greenhouse with the high-porosity screens maintained insect control while significantly improving climate conditions. The improved airflow reduced internal temperature by up to 2–3°C lower than outside, contributing to a 15% higher production compared to the greenhouse using traditional mesh.

“Our goal is to include technologies with a return on investment in less than two years; Xsect Balance achieved this difficult goal,” the team concludes.