WO2016151520A1

WO2016151520A1 - Chill shade materials

Info

Publication number: WO2016151520A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/051667
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan Dallas Toye
Original assignee: Nine Ip Limited
Priority date: 2015-03-26
Filing date: 2016-03-24
Publication date: 2016-09-29

Abstract

A method and system for influencing bud break, or increasing fruit yield or quality, in a plant comprises installing material above the plant to shade buds on the plant from solar radiation and lower the temperature of the buds or of the air proximate the plant or buds, and maintaining said material in place for at least part of the plant's dormancy period.

Description

CHILL SHADE MATERIALS

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application derives priority from New Zealand patent application numbers 706373 and 713992 the contents of each incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods of improving bud break and flowering of deciduous plants, in particular, kiwifruit plants. This invention also relates to methods and systems for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plant.

BACKGROUND

The growth and development of many temperate horticultural crops are strongly influenced by the amount of winter chill they receive during their winter dormancy period. In particular, an appropriate amount of winter chill can be important for successful flowering and later fruiting, especially for deciduous plants such as deciduous fruit trees, shrubs and bushes, and vines such as kiwifruit or grapes. In general, the art has approached winter chill from the perspective of air temperature, and has paid little or no attention to the direct effects of solar radiation on a plant during its dormancy period. In climate zones where winter chilling is insufficient, such as warmer temperate or temperate maritime or sub-tropical climatic zones, sufficient winter chill may not always be achieved. The problem is exacerbated where climatic change, or changes in air composition (such as changes in pollutant levels), is resulting in the warming of existing horticultural regions and such regions do not achieve the same degree of winter chill experienced in previous seasons.

An insufficient amount of winter chilling may lead to delayed or reduced bud break or a longer duration bud break period (and more extended harvest period), resulting in insufficient or inconsistent development of blossoms and subsequent fruiting and more variable fruit quality at harvest. There may also be a lack of the development of non fruiting buds which support fruiting buds.

Hydrogen cyanamide, also known as Hi-Cane™ or Dormex™, is commonly used to induce or improve bud break, especially for woody plants such as berries, grapes, apples, peaches and kiwifruit and is generally considered very effective for this purpose.

However, hydrogen cyanamide is known to have adverse effects on human health for those applying the material and it is sometimes viewed as undesirable for organic food production. Further, hydrogen cyanamide is not certified for use in the production of organic fruit, thereby excluding certain markets. Materials, such as netting materials, may be used to control a plant environment for the purposes of providing protection from sun, wind, hail, insects or birds. They are also used to influence solar radiation incident upon the plants for the purposes of improving plant or fruit development or growth. Such materials often result in a warming of the plant environment due to the properties of the material itself or generate a warmer

environment by restricting airflow.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method of managing the bud dormancy period and subsequent outcomes thereof, and/or to provide a system for protecting or enhancing the growth and development of a plant, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described herein is a method of improving bud break of deciduous plants, in particular kiwifruit plants, by reducing the amount of direct solar radiation to which the bud is exposed during the plant's dormant period. The method may be used in conjunction with known synthetic plant growth regulators for enhancing bud break, or without. Also described herein are systems for protecting or enhancing the growth and development of a plant.

In a first aspect the invention provides a method of influencing bud break, or increasing fruit yield or quality, in a plant comprising installing material above the plant to shade buds on the plant from solar radiation and lower the temperature of the buds or of the air proximate the plant or buds, and maintaining said material in place for at least part of the plant's dormancy period, wherein said material is arranged to lie generally in a plane of between about 0° and 45° from horizontal.

In some embodiments there is a clearance between the plant and the material of at least 0.05m.

In some embodiments the plant is a fruiting or vegetable plant, or the plant is a kiwifruit plant. In some embodiments the material is effective to lower the mean daily temperature of the air proximate the plant or buds by at least about 0.05°C, or at least about 0.10°C, or at least about 0.15°C, or at least about 0.20°C for at least part of the plants dormancy period. In some embodiments the material is effective to lower the mean daily temperature of the buds by at least about 0.05°C, or at least about 0.10°C, or at least about 0.15°C, or at least about 0.20°C for at least part of the plants dormancy period. In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material to generally lie in a plane of between about 5° and about 40°, or between about 5° and about 35°, or between about 5° and about 30°, or between about 5° and about 25°, or between about 5° and about 20°, or between about 5° and about 15°, from horizontal. In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material horizontal above the plant.

In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining a material having a length longer than its width and said angle of said general plane is measured across the materials width.

In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining a material which is generally water and/or wind permeable. In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material such that warm air does not collect beneath the material.

In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material over a plurality of rows of plants and the material includes a venting region that allows warmer air to escape from beneath the material.

In some embodiments the venting region is either a gap within the material; a gap between two sheets of material; or an area within the material comprising a weave, knit, or matrix structure of greater air permeability than the main body of the material.

In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material generally above the fruiting wood of the plant and a venting region is located near or generally above a main leader of the plant. In some embodiments the plant is trained such that fruiting wood is laid substantially horizontally from a main leader.

In some embodiments the venting region is an area of greater air permeability and is arranged such that it is higher than the main body of the material. In some embodiments the method includes removing the material before bud break.

In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material above said plant for between about 1 week and about 4 months, or between about 1 and about 12 weeks, or between about 1 and about 8 weeks, or between about 1 and about 4 weeks, or between about 3 and about 10 weeks, or between about 3 and about 7 weeks.

In some embodiments the material is installed before the onset of dormancy, or within about 1, 2, or 4 weeks before dormancy.

In some embodiments the method includes installing the material after pruning and tying down of fruiting wood. In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material such that, in general, at least minimally, it is not in direct physically contact with the buds.

In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material such that, in general, it is not in direct contact with the fruiting wood.

In some embodiments the plant is growing on a pergola or a T-bar structure and said material is located above the pergola or T-bar structure.

In some embodiments the material acts to lower bud temperature by shading said buds from visible solar radiation (400-700nm) and/or infrared solar radiation (700-2500nm) and/or ultra violet (280-400nm) solar radiation.

In some embodiments the material (excluding any venting region) has a cover factor of more than about 30%, or more than about 35%, or more than about 40%, or more than about 45%, or more than about 50%, or more than about 55%, or more than about 60%, or more than about 70%, or more than about 80%, or more than about 90%, or more than about 95% or about 100%, or between about 30 and about 95%, or between about 30 and about 90%, or between about 40 and about 95%, or between about 40 and about 90%.

In some embodiments the material reduces the solar radiation incident upon the plant by more than about 10%, or more than about 20%, or more than about 30% or more than about 40%, or more than about 50%, or more than about 60%, or more than about 70%, or more than about 80%, or more than about 90%, or more than about 95%. In some embodiments the solar radiation is radiation of wavelength range 700 to

2500nm, or 700 to 1500nm, or 700 to l lOOnm, or 700 to lOOOnm, or 700 to 900nm, or 700 to 800nm.

In some embodiments the yarns from which the material is comprised transmit less than about 10%, or about 20% or about 30% or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95% on average of visible solar radiation (400-700nm) and/or infrared solar radiation (700-2500nm) and/or ultra violet (280-400nm) solar radiation.

In some embodiments the yarns from which the material is comprised transmit less than about 10%, or about 20% or about 30% or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95% on average of solar radiation of wavelength range 700 to 2500nm, or 700 to 1500nm, or 700 to l lOOnm, or 700 to lOOOnm, or 700 to 900nm, or 700 to 800nm.

In some embodiments the material, or the main body of the material is of woven construction, knitted construction, or is a film.

In some embodiments the material, or main body of the material is of knitted

construction comprising knitted tapes (as opposed to monofilaments).

In some embodiments the material includes a venting region and the venting region is of woven of knitted construction.

In some embodiments the method includes installing a woven material comprising :

weft tapes,

groups of warp yarns spaced apart across the width of the material, the groups of warp yarns and weft tapes woven together in a leno weave, the warp yarns in each group of warp yarns crossing at a cross over point between adjacent weft tapes,

wherein the distance between adjacent cross over points is less than the width of the weft tapes so that the weft tapes are folded at each group of warp yarns. In some embodiments the spacing between adjacent groups of warp yarns is sufficient to allow the weft tapes to substantially unfold so that the edges of adjacent weft tapes overlap or abut between adjacent groups of warp yarns. In some embodiments the method includes applying a synthetic plant growth regulator for promoting bud break or flowering to the plant.

In some embodiments the synthetic plant growth regulator is a spray and the method includes removing the material from above the plant before the spray is applied.

In some embodiments the method is implemented in the absence of a plant growth regulator for promoting bud break or flowering. In some embodiments the synthetic plant growth regulator is hydrogen cyanamide.

In some embodiments the material is also suitable for use in protection from high wind (e.g. wind above 30 knots) or from hail. In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material on a system for easy retraction and extension of material, such that the material can be extended to cover the plants when shading is desired and retracted when shading is not desired, or retracted to enable manual work on the plants or for application of spray products.

In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the plant in an open air environment.

In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material over a fruiting plant or vegetable as part of a commercial production process.

In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material over a plant which is a deciduous plant. In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material over a plant which is a woody plant.

In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material over a plant which is a mature plant.

In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material over a plant which is: a stone fruit plant, including an apricot, nectarine, peach, plum, or cherry plant; a cane fruit plant, including a blackcurrant, raspberry, boysenberry, or black berry plant; a vine fruit plant, including kiwifruit or grape plant; a pip fruit plant, including apple, pear, nashi, persimmon, or citrus plant; a brassica genus vegetable including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli; or a herbaceous crop plant, including coriander or celery plant; or a strawberry plant. In some embodiments the method includes installing and maintaining the material over a plant of Actinidia genus.

In some embodiments the plant is a kiwifruit plant. In some embodiments the plant is from the species A. deliciosa (including 'Hayward', 'Blake', and 'Saanichton 12' cultivars), A. chinensis (also known as golden kiwifruit, and including Hort 16A and G3 cultivars), A. Coriacea (also known as Chinese egg

gooseberry), A. arguta (also known as baby kiwifruit), A. kolomikta (also known as arctic kiwifruit), >4. melanandra (also known as red kiwifruit), A. polygama (also known as silver vine), or purpurea (also known as purple kiwifruit).

In some embodiments the material is arranged such that it does not substantially obstruct horizontal air movement. In some embodiments the material does not substantially shield the plant from air convecting from the ground or from terrestrial radiation.

In some embodiments there is a clearance between plant and the material of between 0.05m and 5m, or 0.1m and 5m, or 0.2m and 5m, or 0.3m and 5m, or 0.6m and 5m, or 0.05 and lm, or 0.05m and 0.8m, or 0.1m and 0.8m, or 0.2m and 0.8m.

In a second aspect the invention provides a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising :

- at least one generally horizontal longitudinally extending suspension means located at a height similar to or greater than the height of said plants, and

- material movably attached along said suspension means such that the material may be extended from a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants by extending the shade material along said suspension means.

In some embodiments the material is suitable to shade the plants beneath it from :

- at least about 20% on average of solar radiation across the wavelength range 700 to lOOOnm that would otherwise be incident upon said plants, and/or

- at least about 20% on average of solar radiation across the wavelength range 1000 to 1500nm that would otherwise be incident upon said plants, and/or

- at least about 20% on average of solar radiation across the wavelength range 1500 to 2000nm that would otherwise be incident upon said plants, and/or

- at least about 20% on average of solar radiation across the wavelength range 400 to 700nm that would otherwise be incident upon said plants, and/or

- at least about 20% on average of solar radiation across the wavelength range 280 to 400nm that would otherwise be incident upon said plants.

In some embodiments the material has a length longer than its width and said material is arranged such that it is generally horizontal across its width.

In some embodiments the material is bunched in a concertina type arrangement when in the retracted position. In some embodiments, when extended, the material lies generally in a plane at an angle of between 0 and about 45° from horizontal, or wherein when extended said material lies in a generally horizontal plane.

In some embodiments the material has a length greater than its width and the angle of said plane is measured across the material's width.

In some embodiments the yarns from which the material is comprised provide transmit less than about 10%, or about 20% or about 30% or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95% on average of visible solar radiation (400-700nm) and/or infrared solar radiation (700-2500nm) and/or ultra violet (280-400nm) solar radiation.

In some embodiments the yarns from which the material is comprised provide transmit less than about 10%, or about 20% or about 30% or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95% on average of solar radiation of wavelength range 700 to 2500nm, or 700 to 1500nm, or 700 to l lOOnm, or 700 to lOOOnm, or 700 to 900nm, or 700 to 800nm.

In some embodiments the system further comprises a second material also movably attached along said suspension means such that it may be extended from a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants by extending the second material along said suspension means, and wherein said second material is different from said first material in solar radiation reflectivity, transmission and/or absorption characteristics, or different in construction and/or cover factor characteristics.

In some embodiments the system further comprises a second material and said second material is movably attached along a second generally horizontal longitudinally extending suspension means such that it may be extended from a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants by extending the second material along said second suspension means, and wherein said second material is different from said first material in solar radiation reflectivity, transmission and/or absorption characteristics, or different in construction and/or cover factor characteristics.

In some embodiments the first and second generally horizontal suspension means are supported by, or mounted upon, a same supporting structure.

In some embodiments the second material has a cover factor of less than about 20%, or less than about 15%, or less than about 10%, or less than about 8% or less than about 5%. In some embodiments the second material is generally impermeable to water.

In a third aspect the invention provides a plurality of systems as described above arranged side by side and arranged such that:

(i) there is a height differential between adjacent lateral edges of neighbouring lengths of material, the adjacent lateral edges of neighbouring lengths of material, when viewed vertically from above, either overlapping or being spaced apart; or

(ii) when viewed vertically from above, a gap exists between adjacent lateral edges of neighbouring lengths of material such that warmer air can readily escape from beneath said material; or

(iii) the lateral edges of neighbouring lengths of material abut each other; or

(iv) there is a height differential between adjacent lateral edges of neighbouring lengths of material, each length of material having a similar direction of tilt from horizontal such that the neighbouring lengths form a louver type arrangement, the adjacent lateral edges of neighbouring lengths of material either overlapping or being spaced apart when viewed vertically from above.

In some embodiments the lengths of material are arranged for the ready escape of warmer air, or include venting means for the ready escape of warmer air. In some embodiments a plurality of lengths of material are arranged to be side by side, each length of material lying in a general plane across its width having an angle of between about 1° and about 45°, or about 5° and about 30°, or about 5° and about 15° and such that there is a height differential between adjacent lateral edges of

neighbouring lengths of material.

In some embodiments the adjacent lateral edges of the neighbouring lengths of material overlap when viewed from above. In a fourth aspect the invention provides a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising material installed above said plants, said material being moveable between a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants.

In some embodiments the material comprises at least one edge region attached to or supported by a generally horizontal longitudinally extending suspension means.

In some embodiments the generally horizontal longitudinally extending suspension means is at a height similar to or greater than the height of said plants.

In some embodiments the material is longer than it is wide and is attached to said suspension means along a lengthwise extending edge of said material. In some embodiments when the material is in a retracted position it is bunched or folded (including concertina folded) across its width.

In some embodiments the plurality of plants are arranged in a row and said suspension means is aligned with said row of plants.

In some embodiments when the material is in a retracted position it is bunched or folded (including concertina folded) across its width and wherein when said material may be moved to an extended position by moving one longitudinal edge of the material across the width of the row of plants to thereby cover said plants.

In a fifth aspect the invention provides a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising a plurality of lengths of material supported above said plants by vertically orientated support means, said lengths of material having a length longer than width, each of said lengths of material arranged such that each has at least one lengthwise extending edge adjacent to and spaced apart from a lengthwise extending edge of a neighbouring length of material such that the space between said spaced apart neighbouring lengths of material forms a vent region, and wherein said vertically orientated support means protrude though or into said venting region.

In a sixth aspect the invention provides a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants, said plants having fruiting wood growing from a main leader and in a generally horizontal plane, said system comprising a material supported generally above and in a plane generally parallel to the fruiting wood, said material having a first region located above the fruiting wood and a second region arranged located above said leader, said first region suitable to shade fruiting wood beneath it from at least 20% of solar radiation on average across the wavelength range 700 to lOOOnm and/or the wavelength range 1000 to 1500nm , and/or the wavelength range 1500 to 2000nm, and/or the wavelength range 400 to 700nm, and/or the wavelength range 280 to 400nm, and said second region having greater air permeability than the first region.

In some embodiments the material may be extended from a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants.

In some embodiments the material is suspended above the plants by a suspension means (such as a wire, rope or cable) and movement between said retracted and extended positions is effected by sliding a slideable attachment means fixed to said material along the suspension means.

In some embodiments the material comprises a plurality of lengths of materials installed above a plurality of plants or rows of plants.

In a seventh aspect the invention provides a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising material supported above said plants, said material effective to shade buds on the plant from solar radiation and lower the mean daily temperature of air proximate the plant or buds by at least about 0.05°C, or at least about 0.10°C, or at least about 0.15°C, or at least about 0.20°C, for at least part of the plant's dormancy period.

In an eight aspect the invention provides a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising material supported above said plants, said material effective to shade buds on the plant from solar radiation and lower the mean daily temperature of the buds by at least about 0.05°C, or at least about 0.10°C, or at least about 0.15°C, or at least about 0.20°C, for at least part of the plant's dormancy period.

In a ninth aspect the invention provides a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising a plurality of lengths of material supported above said plants, said lengths of material arranged side by side and generally horizontally but such that there is a height differential between adjacent lateral edges of neighbouring lengths of material, and wherein said adjacent edges overlap when viewed vertically from above.

In some embodiments each length of material has a similar direction of tilt from horizontal, such that they form a louver type arrangement.

In some embodiments each length of material has a similar angle of tilt form horizontal.

In some embodiments the material (excluding said second region) shades the plant from at least about 20% of solar radiation on average across the wavelength range 700 to lOOOnm and/or the wavelength range 1000 to 1500nm, and/or the wavelength range 1500 to 2000nm, and/or the wavelength range 400 to 700nm, and/or the wavelength range 280 to 400nm, and said second region having greater air permeability than the first region. In some embodiments the lengths of material may be extended from a retracted position where they do not cover said plants to an extended position where they do cover said plants.

In some embodiments the material is suspended above the plants by a longitudinally extending generally horizontal suspension means and movement between said retracted and extended positions effected by sliding a slideable attachment means fixed to said material along the suspension means.

In some embodiments the gap between neighbouring lengths of material faces away from the predominant angle of sun exposure.

In some embodiments the height difference between the lateral edge of one length of material and the closest lateral edge of its neighbouring length of material (i.e. the height gap between louvers) is between about 0.01 and about lm, or about 0.01 and about 0.75m, or about 0.01 and about 0.5m, or about 0.01 and about 0.25m, or about 0.01 and about 0.1m.

In some embodiments the lengths of material (when covering said plants), sit generally in a plane having an angle of between about 0° and about 45°, between about 5° and about 45°, or between about 5° and about 40°, or between about 5° and about 35°, or between about 5° and about 30°, or between about 5° and about 25°, or between about 5° and about 20°, or between about 5° and about 15° from horizontal when measured across their width.

In some embodiments the material is water permeable.

In some embodiments the material is water impermeable. In some embodiments the material is a woven, knitted or film material; coated or uncoated.

In some embodiments the material has a weight of at least about 60 gsm, or at least about 120 gsm, or at least about 180 gsm.

In some embodiments the system is installed on generally flat land.

In some embodiments the material (when covering said plants), when measured across its width, sits generally in a plane of between about 0° and about 45°, or between about 5° and about 45°, or between about 5° and about 40°, or between about 5° and about 35°, or between about 5° and about 30°, or between about 5° and about 25°, or between about 5° and about 20°, or between about 5° and about 15° from the general plane of the land above which it is located. In some embodiments the material is formed from a plurality of lengths of material in a louver arrangement.

In some embodiments the material has a cover factor of more than about 5%, or more than about 10%, or more than about 20%, or more than about 30%, or more than about 40%, or more than about 50%, or more than about 60%, or more than about 70%, or more than about 80%, or more than about 90%, or more than about 95% or about 100%, or between about 20 and 95%, or between about 30 and about 95%, or between about 30 and about 90%, or between about 40 and about 95%, or between about 40 and about 90%. In a tenth aspect the invention provides the use of a system as described above for influencing bud break of a plant after winter dormancy. In some embodiments the plant is a kiwifruit plant.

In an eleventh aspect the invention provides a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising :

an existing fruit support structure comprising existing vertical support means;

said fruit support structure retro-fitted with vertically extending extension means which extend to a height higher than said vertical support means;

generally horizontal longitudinally extending support means suspended between said vertically extending extension means; and

netting material suspended such that it is generally horizontal, said netting suspended by said generally horizontal longitudinally extending support means.

In a twelfth aspect the invention provides a kit for retro-fitting an existing fruit support structure comprising existing vertical support means, for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants, the kit comprising :

vertically extending extension means adapted to retro-fit to or among said fruit support structure and extend to a height higher than said vertical support means;

generally horizontal longitudinally extending support means to suspend between said vertically extending extension means; and

netting material to suspend such that it is generally horizontal, said netting to suspend by said generally horizontal longitudinally extending support means.

In a thirteenth aspect the invention provides a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising :

a fruit support structure comprising vertical support means and vertically extending extension means which extend to a height higher than said vertical support means; generally horizontal longitudinally extending support means suspended between said vertically extending extension means; and

In some embodiments the vertically extending extension means are fixed to said vertical support means. In some embodiments the vertically extending extension means are not fixed to said vertical support means.

In some embodiments the fruit support structure is a pergola structure.

In some embodiments the fruit support structure is a T-bar structure.

In some embodiments the fruit support structure supports a cane fruit plant or a vine fruit plant.

In some embodiments the fruit support structure supports a grape plant. In some embodiments the fruit support structure supports a kiwifruit plant. In some embodiments the plant is from the species A. deliciosa (including 'Hayward', 'Blake', and 'Saanichton 12' cultivars), A. chinensis (also known as golden kiwifruit, and including Hort 16A and G3 cultivars), A. Coriacea (also known as Chinese egg

gooseberry), A. arguta (also known as baby kiwifruit), A. kolomikta (also known as arctic kiwifruit), >4. melanandra (also known as red kiwifruit), A. polygama (also known as silver vine), A. purpurea (also known as purple kiwifruit).

In a fourteenth aspect the invention provides a fruit support structure for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising :

a plurality of vertical supports,

a plurality of horizontal plant supports arranged, when in use, to support or assist in supporting the branches or vines of a plant, and said plurality of horizontal plant supports each attached to at least one vertical supports;

a plurality of generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports suspended between said vertical supports at a position above said horizontal plant supports.

In some embodiments the fruit support structure includes a netting material suspended such that it is generally horizontal, said netting suspended by said generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports. In some embodiments the horizontal plant supports are fixed to said vertical supports at a position of at least 1.6m above the ground, when in use. In some embodiments the horizontal plant supports are fixed to said vertical supports at a position of between 1.6 m and 2.0m above the ground, or at approximately 1.8m, when in use. In some embodiments the generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports are at a height of at least 0.2m, or 0.3m, or 0.4m, or 0.5m, or 0.7m, or 1.0m, or 1.2m, or 1.4m, or 1.6m, or 1.8m, or 2.0m, or 2.2m, or 2.4m, or 2.6m, or 2.8m, or 3.0m, or 3.5m, or 4.0m, or 5m above said horizontal plant supports, when in use. In some embodiments the generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports are at a height of less than 8m, 6m, or 5m or 4.5m, or 4.0m, or 3.5m, or 3.0m, or 2.5m, or 2.3m, or 2.0m, or 1.8m, or 1.6m, or 1.4m, or 1.2m, or 1.0m, or 0.8m, or 0.6m, or 0.4m above said horizontal plant supports, when in use. In some embodiments the generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports are at a height of less between 0.1m and 8m, or 0.2m and 6m, or 0.2m and 5m, or 0.2m and 4.5m, or 0.2m and 4.0m, or 0.2m and 3.5m, or 0.2m and 3.0m, or 0.2 and 2.5m, or 0.2 and 2.3m, or 0.4 to 2.3m above said horizontal plant supports. In some embodiments the vertical supports and/or said horizontal plant supports are comprised of wood or metal or plastic.

In some embodiments the generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports comprise wire.

Advantages of at least certain embodiments of the above invention may include increasing the number of flowers that form on a plant; increasing the number of buds that form into flowers and/or vegetation buds (i.e. increasing the number of buds that "break"); increasing the proportion of buds that form floral growth compared to vegetative growth; providing a more uniform bud break; improving the quality of the flowers (and/or resulting fruit) that are produced; improving number of initiated flowers that flower; influencing the number of doubles (i.e. fruit pairs) and trebles (i.e. fruit triplets); or improving king bud dominance (i.e. improving the ratio of king buds to secondary buds). Other advantages that at least certain embodiments of the invention may provide include helping to ensure a shorter bud break period that can result in shorter harvest periods or more consistent fruit quality at a fixed harvest date, and providing a cost effective and convenient means to reduce dormancy bud temperatures. A further advantage of high bud break is that there is less wood or cane needed to achieve the same number of flowers per square meter, compared to the same plant having low bud break. This means that an orchardist or grower can select the better canes to hold over from one season to the next. This also has the effect of a more open canopy for light penetration and air movement, which may have positive effects on fruit development and disease prevention.

Advantages of at least some embodiments of the system provided herein for protecting or enhancing the growth and development of a plant may include the ability to quickly deploy material over plants to meet orchard management timelines or in anticipation of adverse weather, and/or the ability to provide a cooler shade environment to plants.

The term "dormancy period" as used herein refers to a period where a plant is in a state of relative metabolic inactivity or minimal activity or when the leaves of the vine, or plant, are not present as compared to the state when the vine, or plant, has leaves. It is during this period that the invention may influence bud break and flowers produced per breaking bud.

The term "bud break", as used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, describes the stage of bud development when a dormant bud begins to open and a shoot beings to grow. As used herein, the term is synonymous with "bud emergence".

The term "improving bud break", or the term "influencing bud break", as used herein includes improving flowering and improving fruiting performance of a plant. Similarly, "protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plant", or similar language, includes protecting or influencing the growth and development of fruit on such a plant.

The term "material" as used herein includes woven materials, knitted materials, non- woven materials and films. The term includes coated and uncoated materials. The material may comprise large apertures (for example a netting), or may comprise small apertures (for example a tightly woven or tightly knitted material), or may comprise no apertures (for example a film), or may comprise a film with apertures. The term includes fabrics. The term "generally horizontal" as used herein with reference to material means more horizontal than vertical, and includes any installation wherein the material is arranged in a plane having shallow angles (e.g. up to 30° from horizontal), and angles up to 45° from horizontal. It also includes tent or "V" shaped arrangements, including an inverted V, as long as overall the material is more horizontal than vertical. The term "shading", or grammatical variations thereof, as used herein means reducing the amount of sunlight or solar radiation (or where the context requires, infrared radiation or radiation of specified wavelengths) reaching, or incident upon, the subject being shaded. A material may shade a subject by either reflecting solar radiation (or infrared radiation) away from it, and/or by absorbing that radiation. In some

embodiments the amount of solar radiation reaching, or incident upon, the subject being shaded is reduced by more than about 5%, or about 10%, or about 20%, or about 30%, or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95%. In some embodiments said solar radiation is solar radiation, on average, across the wavelength range 280 to 2500nm, or 280 to 400nm, or 400-700nm, or 700-2500nm, or 700-1500nm, or 700-1500nm, or 700-l lOOnm, or 700-lOOOnm, or 700-900nm, or 700-800nm.The term "cover factor" as used herein means the

percentage of the total area of the material which comprises knitted, woven, or non- woven monofilament, yarn, or tape or a combination, forming the material itself, judged from perpendicular to the plane of the material when laid out flat, as opposed to air space in between the yarns or tapes. For example, if a netting has a cover factor of 30% then the air space through the netting would be 70% of the total area of the netting. The term "woven materials" as used herein includes extruded netting, comprising crossed strands heat welded or chemically bonded together.

The term "yarn" as used in this specification, unless the context suggests otherwise means multi or mono filament yarn, threads or fibres. The term "yarn" unless the context suggests otherwise, includes longitudinally extending single filament elements having four sides when viewed in cross-section, such as a rectangular or square cross- section, also longitudinally extending elements having a multisided cross-section such as a triangular or hexagonal cross-section for example, and also longitudinally extending elements having a circular or oval or similar cross-section (sometimes referred to hereafter as monofilament). The term "yarn" includes tape, unless the context otherwise requires.

The term "comprising" as used herein means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both. As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in operation and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of netting installed over a kiwifruit vine growing on a pergola;

Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of a netting installation arrangement similar to that of Figure 1, across a two rows of plants;

Figure 3 illustrates general air convection in an installation of netting as illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 4 illustrates in an installation of netting as illustrated in Figure 2, convection of air that has been warmed by the material itself.

Figure 5 is an illustration of a bud at the advanced bud break stage;

Figure 6 is an illustration of a bud at advanced open cluster stage;

Figure 7A is a table showing maximum daily air temperatures for the period of the trial discussed herein;

Figure 7B is a table showing minimum daily air temperatures for the period of the trial discussed herein; Figure 7C is a table showing average daily air temperatures for the period of the trial discussed herein;

Figure 8 is a graph illustrating air temperature profile over an average day for shaded and unshaded areas for the trial discussed herein;

Figure 9 is a table illustrating the model applied to calculate Richardson chill units;

Figure 10 is an illustration of a part of the netting used in the trial discussed herein; Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of the venting region of a part of the netting used in the trial discussed herein;

Figure 12 is a schematic perspective drawing of an alternative installation of netting for use in the method of the invention;

Figure 13 is a schematic illustration of the installation of Figure 12 over fruit trees;

Figure 14 illustrates general air convection in an installation of netting as illustrated in Figure 12;

Figure 15 illustrates in an installation of netting as illustrated in Figure 12, convection of air that has been warmed by the material itself;

Figure 16 is a schematic illustration of the installation of Figure 12 over fruit trees from a front view;

Figure 17a is a schematic illustration of the installation of Figure 12 over kiwifruit vines growing on a pergola from a front view;

Figure 17b is a schematic illustration of an installation with venting regions located between lengths of material, and with support poles protruding though the venting regions;

Figure 17c is a schematic illustration of netting installed with no venting regions;

Figure 18 is a schematic illustration of a system comprising a retractable material according to one embodiment of the invention, illustrating the material in an extended position covering plants;

Figure 19 is a schematic illustration of the system of Figure 18, illustrating the material in a retracted position such that plants are not covered;

Figure 20 is a schematic illustration of a system comprising a retractable material according to an embodiment of the invention where lengths of material have been arranged in an overlapping louver type of arrangement, illustrating the material in an extended position covering plants;

Figure 21 is a schematic illustration of the system of Figure 18, illustrating the material in a retracted position such that plants are not covered;

Figure 22a is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the invention comprising two lengths of different retractable material;

Figure 22b is a schematic illustration of an installation comprising two lengths of different crop material supported by different longitudinal horizontal suspension means; Figure 22c is a schematic illustration illustrating how material may be retracted across the width of a row of plants;

Figure 23 is a graph illustrating air temperature profile over an average day for shaded and unshaded areas for another trial discussed herein;

Figure 24 is a graph illustrating vine temperature profile over an average day for shaded and unshaded areas for the same trial as discussed in Figure 23;

Figure 25 is a schematic illustration of an existing fruit support structure retro-fitted with a structure to support a netting; and

Figure 26 is a schematic illustration of a fruit support structure of the invention.

Like reference numerals represent like elements throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Particular embodiments of the invention are now described in further detail.

At least some embodiments of the invention may be used to influence bud break. In particular, at least some embodiments of the invention may be used to : influence the timing of bud break; shorten the period of bud break; increase the proportion of floral buds, or fruitful floral buds, compared to vegetative buds; or it may be used to increase the absolute number of floral buds, or fruitful floral buds.

The invention may be used on commercial production orchards, and may be used on mature fruiting plants in such orchards. The invention may be particularly useful for plants growing on a pergola structure but may also be applied to plants grown using a T- bar structure. The invention may be particularly useful for kiwifruit plants, and in particular for kiwifruit plants growing on a pergola structure or growing on a T-bar structure. Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a material installed according to an embodiment of the invention. The material is a netting installed over a kiwifruit vine growing on a pergola. As illustrated, the main body (1) of the netting is installed above the kiwifruit canes (2). The canes (2) have been laid flat generally horizontally and perpendicularly from the main leader (3), as is common practice. The material may be installed such that it lies in a plane generally horizontal above at least the canes, such that it shades buds from solar radiation. In practice, both canes and material would be supported by wires that are not shown in the illustration. This reduces the amount of solar radiation, particularly that in the visible and infrared regions of the spectrum that is likely to cause warming, and also ultra violet radiation, reaching and warming the fruiting canes, the wood parts of plant and/or buds of the plant. The wood, fruiting canes and buds of the kiwifruit plant are brown, and being such a dark colour would otherwise absorb both visible and infrared radiation to which they are exposed, which may result in unwanted warming of the buds. The material sits immediately above the canes, but with sufficient clearance such that it preferably does not contact the canes or the buds on the canes. The clearance helps ensure that there is no heat transfer to the buds by way of conduction caused by contact with the material. The clearance may also assist by allowing air movement, be it by convection or that due to wind, to move around the branches and buds and provide evaporative cooling. Shading the plants as described will influence directly both air temperature and the temperature of the wood and buds of the plant. A small difference in air temperature may result from the shading and this is believed to be beneficial. However, while not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is also believed that the results that the invention may achieve are attributable to the fact that the bud itself is not being warmed by solar radiation (i.e. not simply a result of ambient air

temperature in the shaded area). Both aspects may be important, reducing direct solar radiation on the bud plus reducing air temperature; both are working together to allow a total improvement in achieving chill requirements.

In some embodiments, the clearance, or average clearance, between the plant and the material, or between canes as laid flat and the material is from above 0 to about 5m, or from above 0 to about 3m, or from above 0 to about 2m, or from above 0 and to about lm, or between about 0.05 and about 3 m, or between about 0.05 and about 2m, or between about 0.05 and about 1.5m, or between about 0.05 and about lm, or between about 0.05 and about 0.8m, or between about 0.05 and about 0.7m, or between about 0.05 and about 0.6m, or between about 0.05 and about 0.5m, or between about 0.05 and about 0.4m, or between about 0.05 and about 0.3m, or between about 0.05 and about 0.2m or between about 0.05 and about 0.1m, or between about 0.1m and 5m, or between about 0.1m and 3m, or between 0.1m and lm. The material may be supported by support structure (e.g. not the plant itself) to achieve a desired clearance between plant and material. In other embodiments, the material is laid directly on top of the canes.

In some embodiments the material is arranged such that it does not obstruct, or does not substantially obstruct, horizontal movement of air. For example, the material may be arranged to be entirely above the plant and without any sections hanging to the side of the plant. This allows free movement of wind in a horizontal direction about a plant which may provide further cooling of the plant or its buds by evaporative cooling. In some embodiments the material is arranged such that it does not substantially shield the plant from air convecting from the ground or from terrestrial radiation radiating from the ground beneath the plant. For example, the material is not wrapped beneath the plant. More specifically, at low temperatures (i.e. less than 1.5 °C according to the Richardson model) there is no accumulation of winter chill. Such temperatures may occur overnight. Overnight, ground temperature is often warmer than air temperature, and allowing air convecting off the ground to pass over a plant or its buds (e.g. by locating material above a plant but not wrapping it beneath) can assist in keeping the

environment in which the plant is located at a temperature above 1 °C. A similar comment can be made with respect to terrestrial infrared radiation radiating from the ground, which may also assist in maintaining a warmer overnight environment if it is allowed to reach the plant (for example if it is not impeded by material wrapped underneath the plant).

In some embodiments the material is effective to lower the mean daily temperature of air proximate the plant or buds by at least about 0.05°C, or at least about 0.10°C, or at least about 0.15°C, or at least about 0.20°C for at least part of the plants dormancy period. In some embodiments, the temperature of air proximate the plant or buds is lowered by such an amount for a period of at least 1 day, or 5 days, or 1 week, or 2 weeks, or 3 weeks, or 4 weeks, or 6 weeks, or 2 months, or three months, or 4 months.

In some embodiments the material is effective to lower the mean daily temperature of the buds by at least about 0.05°C, or at least about 0.10°C, or at least about 0.15°C, or at least about 0.20°C for at least part of the plants dormancy period. In some

embodiments, the temperature of the buds is lowered by such an amount for a period of at least 1 day, or 5 days, or 1 week, or 2 weeks, or 3 weeks, or 4 weeks, or 6 weeks, or 2 months, or three months, or 4 months.

The duration for which the material is installed over the plants may depend on the species/variety of plant and the climatic zone in which it is growing. In some

embodiments the material is located above the plant for a period long enough such that the plant achieves the required winter chill to achieve improved bud break or improved floral shoot numbers. In some embodiments material is installed above the plants early in the plants dormancy period, e.g. within the first or second week of the dormancy period, or following pruning and tying down of canes in anticipation of next season's cropping. In other embodiments the material may be installed at a later time during the dormancy period. In other embodiments, the material is applied before the onset of dormancy, or within about 1, 2, or 4 weeks before dormancy. In some embodiments the material is removed within one or two weeks before bud break. In other embodiments that material may be removed earlier than that. In some embodiments the material is in place for between about 1 and about 16 weeks, or about 1 and about 14 weeks, or about 1 and about 12 weeks, or about 1 and about 10 weeks, or about 1 and about 8 weeks, or about 1 and about 6 weeks, or about 1 and about 4 weeks, during the plant's dormancy period.

In some embodiments material is installed above the plants for between about 1 and about 16 weeks, or about 1 and about 14 weeks, or about 1 and about 12 weeks, or about 1 and about 10 weeks, or about 1 and about 8 weeks, or about 1 and about 6 weeks, or about 1 and about 4 weeks during, or for at least part of, the months May, June, July or August in the Southern hemisphere or during, or for at least part of, the months November, December, January or February in the Northern hemisphere.

In some embodiments material is installed above the plants within about 1 to about 2 weeks, or about 1 to about 4 weeks, or about 1 to about 6 weeks, or about 1 to about 8 weeks, or about 1 to about 10 weeks, after harvest; or within about 1 to about 2 weeks, or about 1 to about 4 weeks, or about 1 to about 6 weeks, or about 1 to about 8 weeks, or about 1 to about 10 weeks, after winter pruning. In some embodiments the material may be removed within about 1 to about 2 weeks, or about 1 to about 4 weeks, or about 1 to about 6 weeks, or about 1 to about 8 weeks, or about 1 to about 10 weeks, before bud break.

In some embodiments the material is installed for a period of time sufficient to achieve sufficient winter chill units, as measured in Richardson Chill Units, or by other methods, to improve bud break.

In some embodiments the plant is grown outside in an open air environment. In some embodiments the plant is part of a commercial orchard/crop of plants and the invention is applied to plurality of plants in the orchard . In some embodiments the plants are grown in rows and the material is arranged to extend down the length of the rows.

Where the method of the invention is applied to rows of plants, the rows may run north- south, or east-west, or any direction in between.

The present invention may also be used to induce early dormancy in a plant. This may provide the benefit of shifting the dormancy period earlier, such that spring bud growth and the fruiting may also occur early, or it may provide the benefit of extending the length of the dormancy period, thereby increasing the accumulation of winter chill hours. In some embodiments the material may be installed 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 weeks before the time that dormancy would normally commence for the plant. The invention may be useful for any plant that benefits from winter chilling. For example, such a plant may be a stone fruit plant, including apricot, nectarine, peach, plum, or cherry; a cane fruit plant, including blackcurrant, raspberry, boysenberry, or black berry; a vine fruit plant, including kiwifruit or grape; a pip fruit plant, including apple, pear, nashi, persimmon, or citrus; a brassica genus vegetable including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale; a herbaceous crop plant, including coriander or celery; or a strawberry plant. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, a longitudinal central region of the material forms a venting region (4). The venting region divides the main body in two. Figure 1 shows only one side of the main body; the other side is not shown in the figure. The venting region is formed of a material that has greater permeability to air than the main body (1) of the material, for example a material with greater aperture size. Other embodiments comprise no venting region, and the material may be a singular wide length of material, or a plurality of lengths of material abutting each other along their longitudinal edges.

Figure 2 illustrates how the installation of figure 1 may be employed over a plurality of rows of plants. In conventional practice, the canes (2) in Figure 2 would extend to both the left and right side of each plant as drawn, but have been illustrated extending only from one side for clarity of drawing.

With reference to Figure 3, warm air, more specifically, air that is warmer compared to the air above the material, may move by convection up and out of the vent (4) thereby escaping the region beneath the canopy and assisting in the relative cooling of the air beneath the canopy. It may also allow a movement of air over the fruiting canes that may result in some evaporative cooling of the canes and buds by removing any moisture on the wood surface. The source of the warm air may be from the ground which at times during the day or night may be warmer than the air temperature. The venting region (4) helps ensure that warm air does not accumulate beneath the material. In alternative embodiments, as described later, warm air may be vented by arranging the material generally in a plane at an inclined angle, such that warm air convects or travels along the under-surface of the material and escapes out the side or end of the material or some passes directly though the material.

Figure 4 illustrates air convection in an installation of netting as illustrated in Figure 2, indicating particularly the convection of on air that has been warmed by the material itself. The material may absorb solar radiation and then convert this radiation into heat which is then emitted from the material. As shown, air that is proximate the underside of the shaded area and has been heated as a result of being close to the material which has been heated by solar radiation also convects along the underside of the main body (1) of the material and out the vented area (4).

The venting region may sit slightly higher than the main body of the material, such that warm air is vented at the location at which it otherwise would naturally remain. The main body of the material may be located either side of the venting region. The venting region may be located generally above the main leader of the kiwifruit vine. Locating the venting region above the main leader can be advantageous because this region may also provide less shade from solar radiation (i.e. because of larger apertures for the purpose of air permeability). The lower bud count in the region where the leader is located means that any warming due to less shading from solar radiation in this region compared to buds on fruiting wood beneath the main body of the material has less impact on bud temperature in general than it would if the venting region was above the canes.

In other embodiments, and with reference to Figures 12 to 17a, the venting region may be formed by a space between the longitudinal edges of neighbouring lengths of material (60), each length of material (60) residing generally in a plane inclined across its width, i.e. in a louver arrangement. Each length of material forms a louver that can provide shade from solar radiation while allowing warmer air (illustrated by the arrows in Figure 14) to convect away from beneath the material. The material is located over the plants (illustrated in Figures 13, 16 and 17a). In the case of the kiwifruit vines illustrated in Figure 17, the vines are supported by wires suspended by the support structure (61) according to conventional practice, but these have not been shown for reason of clarity of drawing. In some embodiments, when viewed from above, the longitudinal edge of one length of material overlaps with its neighbouring length of material, to form overlapping louvers, as illustrated in Figures 12 to 17a. The advantage of an overlapping

arrangement is that better shading may be achieved than for with non-over lapping louvers. It is also a way of providing venting without having to build a specially vented region in the material. In some embodiments, they do not overlap when viewed from above. Preferably the louvers are aligned longitudinally with rows of plants they shade, although this is not essential and they could be aligned perpendicularly to the rows or at other angles. Where possible, preferably lengths of material are oriented such that the space between the louvers faces away from the predominant direction of the sun (i.e. face more to the north for the northern hemisphere, and face more to the south for the southern hemisphere). In some embodiments where the venting region is formed by a space between the longitudinal edges of neighbouring lengths of material 60, and with reference to Figure 17b, vertically oriented support means in the form of posts 61 are also located in the space between the longitudinal edges of neighbouring lengths of material, such that the space between the longitudinal edges of neighbouring lengths of material forms both venting region 4 and a region where, or through which, support means may be located or protrude. With reference to Figure 17b, neighbouring lengths of material may be inclined at opposing angles across their width to form, when viewed in cross-section, an apex structure. A venting region may be located at the top, and along the length, of the apex of the apex structure. A further venting region may be located at the lower edge, or along the length of the lower edge, of the apex structure between the lower edge of the apex and a neighbouring length of material.

Figure 17b also illustrates convection of warmer air (represented by arrows) from the ground under the material 60 and up and out of the venting region 4.

In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 17c, there is no venting region and the material is attached to the top of posts (or attached to wires which are attached to the top of posts) which form a support structure.

In some embodiments the lengths of material are at least about lm or about 2m or about 3m or about 4m or about 5m or about 6m or about 7 m or about 8 m or about 10 or about 20 m wide. In some embodiments the lengths of material are supported by ropes or cables attached to supporting poles. The supporting cables may form part of a structure(s) supporting a row(s) of plants. The supporting cables may be aligned with a structure(s) supporting a row(s) of plants, or they may run perpendicular to such structures, or be at any other angle.

Figure 14 is a schematic illustration of warmer air (represented by arrows) convecting up and then out from underneath lengths of material (60) arranged according to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 12.

Figure 15 illustrates air convection in an installation of netting as illustrated in Figure 12, indicating particularly air that has been warmed by the material itself. As shown, air that is proximate the underside of the main body (1) of the material, and which has been heated as a result of being close to the material which has been heated by solar radiation, may convect along the underside of the main body (1) of the material and out the gap between louvers. In other embodiments there is no venting region and the material panels are butted up to each other. In other embodiments lengths of material are located above the plants, or at least above the fruiting wood of plants, and are installed side by side simply leaving a gap between them for venting.

Some plants, such as kiwifruit plants, are typically grown in rows, and grown with main leaders aligned to run down the length of the row. In some embodiments the material may be installed such that it is located generally above the fruiting wood but not covering the main leaders. The material may be installed such that separate lengths of material run generally parallel to and either side of the main leaders, arranged to cover the fruiting wood on one or both sides of the main leader not the leader itself. Alternatively, the material may have holes, slits or gaps that are located above or near main leaders.

The material may be installed such that it is substantially horizontal. The material may be installed in a plane generally at a shallow angle (e.g. up to about 10, or up to about 15, or up to about 20, or up to about 25, or up to about 30 degrees) from horizontal such that warmer air may convect up and around the higher edge of the material.

Alternatively the material may be installed in a plane generally at an angle of up to 45 degrees from horizontal.

When the material is installed at an angle, particularly larger angles, the material may be installed such that the material is angled away from the predominant direction of exposure from the sun to maximise shading from solar radiation (i.e. angled such that the higher edge is further from the predominate direction of exposure to solar radiation than the lower edge). The predominant angle of the sun will depend on latitude. When material is installed such that it is longitudinally aligned with rows of plants, the predominant angle of the sun relative to the row of plants can be considered, and material installed to maximise shading. Materials for use in the invention include any material that is capable of shading buds from solar radiation. This includes woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, non-woven fabrics, or film. The fabric may be a netting material (e.g. a material having larger apertures) or a cover material (e.g. a material having smaller apertures, or no apertures). Materials may be formed from a non-synthetic or synthetic monofilament, multifilament yarn, or tape, or a combination thereof, and may be formed from a polymer resin. Film may also be formed from a polymer resin. The material (or the tapes or filaments forming the material) may be formed from a polymer containing pigments which give the material desired properties, such as desired solar radiation reflective, absorptive, transmission or diffusive properties. Construction of Material

For the main body of the material, a particular preferred fabric is a fabric of a leno-weave construction comprising weft tapes and groups of warp yarns spaced apart across the width of the fabric. The groups of warp yarns and weft tapes are woven together in a leno weave. Preferably, the warp yarns in each group of warp yarns cross at a cross over point between adjacent weft tapes such that the distance between adjacent cross over points is less than the width of the weft tapes. This means that the weft tapes are folded at each group of warp yarns. More preferably, the spacing between adjacent groups of warp yarns is sufficient to allow the weft tapes to substantially unfold so that the edges of adjacent weft tapes overlap or abut between adjacent groups of warp yarns. Figure 10 is an illustration of such a construction. Such a fabric a construction may have the benefit of providing a large amount of cover (i.e. shade) per weight of fabric, which assists in both installation, and maintaining low cost, of fabric. Such a fabric may also have the benefit of a high degree of air permeability relative to the shade provided by the fabric when compared to fabrics not made with the same construction.

In some embodiments the material may reduce the solar radiation incident upon the plant by about 10%, or about 20% or about 30% or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95%. In some embodiments the material reduces visible solar radiation (i.e. solar radiation of wavelength range 400- 700nm) incident upon the plant. In other embodiments the material reduces infrared radiation (i.e. solar radiation of wavelength range 700 to 2500nm, in particular that in the 700 to lOOOnm range or the 1000 to 1500nm range, or 1500 to 2000nm range, or 2000 to 2500nm range) incident upon the plant. In other embodiments the material reduces ultra violet radiation (i.e. solar radiation of wavelength range 280 to 400nm, or 280 to 320nm, or 320 to 480nm). In other embodiments the material reduces

photosynthetic active radiation.

In some embodiments the material (excluding any venting region) has a cover factor of more than about 5%, or more than about 10%, or more than about 20%, or more than about 30%, or more than about 35%, or more than about 40%, or more than about 45%, or more than about 50%, or more than about 55%, more than about 60%, more than about 65%, or more than about 70%, more than about 75%, or more than about 80%, more than about 85%, or more than about 90%, or more than about 95% or about 100%, or between about 30 and about 95%, or between about 30 and about 90%, or between about 40 and about 95%, or between about 40 and about 90%, or between about 85% to about 98%. In some embodiments, the material is water permeable. For example, the material may be made of a knit or a weave that allows passage or rainfall through the material.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising material installed above said plants, said material being moveable between a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants. In some embodiments the invention comprises a netting material having a length dimension and a width dimension smaller, or much smaller, than the length dimension said material comprising :

weft tapes, and

groups of warp yarns spaced apart across the width of the netting material, the groups of warp yarns and the weft tapes woven together in a leno weave, the warp yarns in each group of warp yarns crossing at a cross-over point between adjacent weft tapes, wherein

the distance between adjacent cross over points is less than the width of the weft tapes so that the weft tapes are folded at each group of warp yarns, and the spacing between adjacent groups of warp yarns sufficient to allow the weft tapes to substantially unfold so that edges of adjacent weft tapes overlap or abut between adjacent groups of warp yarns.

In some embodiments, the warp yarns are monofilaments.

In some embodiments, the width of the weft tapes is at least twice the distance between adjacent cross over points.

In some embodiments, the distance between adjacent groups of warp yarns is at least three times, or five times, or ten times, or fifteen times, or twenty times the width of the weft tapes.

In some embodiments, the netting material has a weight of less than lOOgsm, or 95gsm, or 90gsm, or 85gsm, or 80gsm, or about 80gsm.

In some embodiments, each group of warp yarns comprises two or more warp yarns. In some embodiments, each group of warp yarns is a pair of warp yarns. In some embodiments, the spacing between the groups of warp yarns is varied across the width of the netting material to provide a varying cover factor across the netting material. In some embodiments, said material has a width dimension smaller than its length dimension, and wherein said material has a first lengthwise extending region and a second lengthwise extending region, each lengthwise extending region having a width of at least 20cm, or 50cm, or 80cm, and wherein the spacing between adjacent groups of warp yarns in the first region is less than that of the second region, and wherein the cover factor in the first region is more than that of the second region.

In some embodiments, said material has a width dimension smaller than its length dimension, and wherein said material has a first lengthwise extending region and a second lengthwise extending region, each lengthwise extending region having a width of at least 20cm, or 50cm, or 80cm, and wherein the spacing between adjacent groups of warp yarns in the first region is less than that of the second region, and wherein the cover factor in the first region is less than that of the second region.

In some embodiments, the netting material has a length dimension and a width dimension smaller, or much smaller, than the length dimension comprising :

weft tapes,

the width of the weft tapes, the distance between adjacent cross over points and the spacing between adjacent groups of warp yarns giving a cover factor of at least 70% and a weight of less than 100 grams per square metre. Such embodiments may comprise any one or more of the features described for the embodiments of the netting material described in the preceding paragraphs.

Retractable Netting System

A system enabling installed material to be retractable and/or extendible means that material may reside in retracted position where it does not cover plants, but be ready for quick and easy deployment, and then deployed or extended over plants when required. At certain times of the year, timeframes for achieving management of plants (for example, pruning or spraying) are relatively tight. The provision of a system that allows retraction and extension of material enables a grower to relatively quickly deploy material for the purpose of winter chilling without unduly affecting other plant

management activities. Such a material may be installed in the weeks or months preceding the required deployment over plants, but remain in a retracted position until deployment is required, or it may be retracted after use in one season and left in place in the retracted position until deployment is required again later in the year or in a subsequent season.

A further advantage of a system employing a retractable/ extendible material is that the material may also be deployed over plants for protection during anticipated adverse weather events, such as hail or high wind, and then retracted when the adverse weather or risk of adverse weather has passed.

With reference to Figures 18 and 19, a retractable/ extendible system according to the invention may comprise a length of material (20) suspended by a horizontal wire (or cable or rope)(21). In one embodiment the material is suspended by two parallel wires spaced apart by a distance of about the width of the material, or a little greater than the width of the material. The material may be attached to the wires by attachment means (22) that are fixed to the material but may slide along the wire, for example ring clips or "C" clips. In some embodiments the attachment means (22) are fixed to the material through grommets installed in the material. The fixings may run along opposing lateral edges of the material such that the material is suspended between the two parallel wires. Preferably the material has a length longer than its width and the attachment means are located along or near opposing longitudinal edges of the material. In alternative embodiments, the attachment means are located at other positions, such as along a belt extending longitudinally along a centre region of the material. In a retracted position, the attachment means (e.g. ring clips, spring clips, carbine clips etc.) are bunched close together on the wire and the material is "bunched up" in a general concertina like manner (see Figure 19). In an extended position, the material is generally flat (i.e. pulled out along the wire so that it is no longer bunched), with the attachment means sliding along the wire to become more spaced apart (see Figure 18).

In the embodiment described just above, the wire to which the material is attached is suspended above plants by attachment to support means such as vertical poles (24). The terminal ends of each wire (i.e. the section of the wire at the end of a row of plants) may be permanently affixed to such support means. Along the length of the row there may be an intermediate vertical pole (25) or poles to assist in preventing undue sag of the wire, and to reduce the weight load at the terminal ends. The wire may be temporarily attached to such intermediate poles such that it may be easily detached for the purposes of sliding the material along and past each intermediate pole. The temporary attachment may be provided by the means of a simple hook (e.g . a ceiling hook) that the supporting wire may be lifted into and out of as required, such that the wire is detached from the intermediate poles for the purposes of extending or retracting the material, and reattached at other times.

In an alternative embodiment of the retractable/extendible system, the material is suspended above plants by a wire (or cable or rope) threaded through eyelets or grommets located along the length of the material. Similar to above, preferably the eyelets or grommets are located along or near opposing lateral edges of the material, although they could also be located more centrally, away from the lateral edges. Again, when in the retracted position, the material is bunched up in a general concertina like manner, with the eyelets or grommets bunched close together, and in the deployed or extended position the material is generally flat with the eyelets or grommets spread apart.

Figures 20 and 21 illustrate a retractable/extendible system according to the invention similar to that shown in Figures 18 and 19, but with lengths of material arranged in a louver type formation.

In a further embodiment of the retractable/extendible netting system according to the invention, and with reference to Figure 22c, the material 60 is retracted across a row of plants and stored to the side of the row. The material may be stored bunched or folded up (including concertina folded) along the side of the row of plants 23,23. The material may be stored at ground level, or suspended above ground. For example, the material may be suspended at a height approximately equal to the top of the plants, or higher, and may be suspended from a wire 21 that is used to hold the material in place over plants when in use. The material may be pulled back over the plants returning it to an extended position and providing cover to the plants when cover is desired. In a further embodiment the system includes a second material (further described below) installed in a similar fashion to the first material, such that one or other or both materials may be retracted or extended at the same time.

The systems involving installing material above plants described herein, both

retractable/ extendable systems and systems of ouver' style arrangement, may be used for protecting or influencing growth and developments of plants for purposes broader than influencing winter chilling. For example, they may be used for purposes including protection from wind, hail, insects or birds or for altering the type, quality or quantity of solar radiation falling upon plants. Dual Retractable Netting System

In a further embodiment of the retractable/ extendible system the system may also comprise a second material also movably attached along said suspension means such that it may be extended from a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants by extending said material along said suspension means, said first and second materials arranged such that one or other may be extended to cover or shade said plants or such that both may be retracted so that neither cover or shade said plants. The second material may differ from the first material in regard to solar radiation reflectivity, transmission and/or absorption characteristics, and/or differ in construction and/or cover factor.

Put another way, the invention may provide a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising :

- at least one generally horizontal longitudinally extending suspension means located at a height similar to or greater than the height of said plants,

- a first material and a second material, said first and second materials, as a whole, being different to each other in solar radiation reflectivity, transmission and/or absorption characteristics, or being different in construction and/or cover factor,

- each of said first and second materials being movably attached along said suspension means such that either material may be extended from a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants by extending said material along said suspension means. The first type of material may be a material suitable for use in the summer months and the second type of material may be suitable for use in the winter months. Accordingly the system provides a means for convenient transition between materials that may be used at different times of the year, such as summer and winter. An advantage of such a system is that it enables a singular supporting structure (i.e. both materials may extend and retract along the same supporting structure) to be used for more than one type of material depending on the time of year. One material may be extended along the supporting structure while the other is in a retraced position, or both materials may be retracted if shade or cover is not required. Such a system may reduce the time and labour otherwise required to install different types of material at different times of the year.

Figure 22a is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the invention comprising two lengths of different crop material each supported by the same supporting structure, i.e. by the same longitudinal horizontal suspension means. Both lengths of material (20,40) are illustrated in a retracted position, and either may be deployed by extending it along the support wires (21) which form longitudinal horizontal suspension means. In the illustrated embodiment a first length of material (20) is a material with high cover factor and low transparency to solar radiation such that it is suitable to shade plants beneath the material from solar radiation during at least part of their dormancy period in accordance with the methods already described herein (i.e. the first material forms a 'winter net')- The other length of material (40) may be a hail net to provide protection from hail fall, and optionally includes pigments that positively effect on the solar radiation characteristics of the net to enhance growth and development of plants beneath it. It will be appreciated that other combinations of material could be employed, for example a winter net could be employed in combination with a bird net, rain exclusion cover or summer shade net, or other combinations could be employed.

Figure 22b is a schematic illustration of an installation comprising two lengths of different crop material supported by different longitudinal horizontal suspension means. Both lengths of material (20,40) are illustrated in a retracted position, and either or both may be deployed by extending the lengths of material (20, 40) along their respective support wires (21a, 21b) . Similar to Figure 22a, a first length of material (20) is a material with high cover factor and low transparency to solar radiation such that it is suitable to shade plants beneath the material from solar radiation during at least part of their dormancy period in accordance with the methods already described herein (i.e. the first material forms a 'winter net')- The other length of material (40) may be a hail net to provide protection from hail fall, and optionally includes pigments that positively effect on the solar radiation characteristics of the net to enhance growth and development of plants beneath it. In this embodiment, both nets may be fully deployed (i.e. extended along the support wires (21a, 21b) at the same time if required. Again, it will be appreciated that other combinations of material could be employed, for example a winter net could be employed in combination with a bird net, rain exclusion cover or summer shade net, or other combinations could be employed. Also, the 'winter net' may be installed as the upper net, and the other net as the lower net.

The systems described herein may be installed as part of structure used for supporting plants and/or they may be installed as a structure separate to a structure supporting plants. The systems described herein may be installed as a retro-fit to existing structures supporting plants.

Retro-fitted System The use of crop protection nettings in horticulture has become more prevalent over the years. When such nettings are installed above crops, they are conventionally installed on a structure comprising elevated wires extending horizontally between vertical poles. The elevated wires are generally at a height well above any existing (or future) plants that are (or will be) located beneath the structure. Such structures are conventionally separate from any existing support structure for supporting plant growth.

Existing orchards may have well established plants supported by fruit support structures. Pergola structure and T-bar structures are common in, for example, the kiwi fruit industry.

As illustrated in Figure 25, the invention also provides a system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising an existing fruit support structure comprising existing vertical support means 81 (such as poles); said existing fruit support structure retro-fitted with vertically extending extension means 82 which extend to a height higher than said existing vertical support means 81 ;

generally horizontal longitudinally extending support means 21 (such as wire) suspended between said vertically extending extension means 82; and netting material 60 suspended such that it is generally horizontal, said netting suspended by said generally horizontal longitudinally extending support means 21.

The vertically extending extension means may be fixed to the existing vertical support means. For example, the vertically extending means may comprise poles (i.e. extension poles) fixed to poles in an existing structure by fixing means 84 such as wires bound around both the extension poles and the poles of the existing structure. The extension poles may extend up to 0.5m, 1.0m, 1.5m, 2.0m, 2.5m or 3.0m above the canopy of the plants which are to be covered, or higher. The extension poles may be wood or metal (e.g. aluminium or steel), or any other suitable material. The extension poles may be fixed with their lower end part way up the height of the existing poles, or may be fixed with their lower end resting on, or buried in the ground. Alternatively, the extension poles may be separate (i.e. freestanding) from the existing vertical support means.

The generally horizontal longitudinally extending support means, such as wire, may be suspended from the top of the extension poles, or from a fixing means attached at a position on the poles between above the canopy and the top of the extension pole.

For clarity, plants are not illustrated in the Figure 25. It will be appreciated that Figure 25 represents a pergola structure, and a plant canopy may grow on the pergola structure at the height of the horizontal members 80 which span between the existing vertical support means 81. The vertically extending extension means 82 extend to a height above that of the canopy. In Figure 25, plants may be arranged in a row extending

perpendicular to the horizontal members 80 which span between the existing vertical support means 81.

Netting System

As illustrated in Figure 26, the invention also provides a fruit support structure for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising : a plurality of vertical supports 91,

a plurality of horizontal plant supports 90 arranged, when in use, to support or assist in supporting the branches or vines of a plant (not illustrated), and said plurality of horizontal plant supports 90 each attached to at least one vertical supports 91 ;

a plurality of generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports 95 suspended between said vertical supports 91 at a position above said horizontal plant supports 90.

The fruit support structure may include netting material 60 suspended such that it is generally horizontal, said netting suspended by said generally horizontal longitudinally extending fruit supports. The netting material may be any of the netting materials described herein.

The horizontal plant supports may be fixed to said vertical supports at a position of at least 1.6m above the ground, when in use. The horizontal plant supports may be fixed to said vertical supports at a position of between 1.6 m and 2.0m above the ground, or at approximately 1.8m, when in use.

The generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports may be at a height of at least 0.2m, or 0.3m, or 0.4m, or 0.5m, or 0.7m, or 1.0m, or 1.2m, or 1.4m, or 1.6m, or 1.8m, or 2.0m, or 2.2m, or 2.4m, or 2.6m, or 2.8m, or 3.0m, or 3.5m, or 4.0m, or 5m above said horizontal plant supports, when in use.

The generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports may be at a height of at least 0.2m, or 0.3m, or 0.4m, or 0.5m, or 0.7m, or 1.0m, or 1.2m, or 1.4m, or 1.6m, or 1.8m, or 2.0m, or 2.2m, or 2.4m, or 2.6m, or 2.8m, or 3.0m, or 3.5m, or 4.0m, or 5m above the plants (i.e. above the typical height of the plants), over which they are located. The generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports may be at a height of less than 8m, 6m, or 5m or 4.5m, or 4.0m, or 3.5m, or 3.0m, or 2.5m, or 2.3m, or 2.0m, or 1.8m, or 1.6m, or 1.4m, or 1.2m, or 1.0m, or 0.8m, or 0.6m, or 0.4m above said horizontal plant supports, when in use.

The generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports may be at a height of less between 0.1m and 8m, or 0.2m and 6m, or 0.2m and 5m, or 0.2m and 4.5m, or 0.2m and 4.0m, or 0.2m and 3.5m, or 0.2m and 3.0m, or 0.2 and 2.5m, or 0.2 and 2.3m, or 0.4 to 2.3m above said horizontal plant supports.

The vertical supports and/or said horizontal plant supports may be comprised of wood or metal (e.g. aluminium or steel) or plastic.

The generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports may comprise wire.

The vertical support means (e.g. poles) may extend up to 0.5m, 1.0m, 1.5m, 2.0m, 2.5m or 3.0m above the canopy of the plants which are to be covered, or higher.

The generally horizontal longitudinally extending support means, such as wire, may be suspended from the top of the vertical support means, or from a fixing means attached at a position on the poles between above the canopy and the top of the vertical support means.

For clarity, plants are not illustrated in the Figure 26. It will be appreciated that Figure 26 represents a pergola structure, and a plant canopy may grow on the pergola structure at the height of the horizontal members which span between the vertical supports. In Figure 26, plants may be arranged in a row extending perpendicular to the horizontal members 90 which span between the vertical support means 91. Examples

Glossary of Terminology Used in Examples 1-5

Term Definition

# Winter Buds Number of winter buds counted at start of trial

Number of winter buds showing signs of further

# Winter Buds that broke

development (i.e. bud break)

Number of winter buds that produced at least

# Winter Buds that flowered

flower

Number of flowers

# Flowers

2014 trial - all flowers i.e. king + secondary flowers. A king flower is a terminal flower. The king flower is considered to become the larger sized and better quality fruit. A secondary flower is any flower that not a king flower.

2015 trial - king flowers only

Flowers/Winter Bud Ratio of flowers per winter bud

Flowers/Winter Bud that

Ratio of flowers per winter bud that broke

broke

Flowers/Flowering Winter

Ratio of flowers per winter bud that flowered

Bud

# King Flowers Number of king flowers

King Flowers/Winter Bud Ratio of king flowers per winter bud

King Flowers/Winter Bud

Ratio of king flowers per winter bud that broke that broke

King Flowers/Flowering

Ratio of king flowers per winter bud that flowered Winter Bud

Number of fruit remaining after commercial thinning

# Fruit after Thinning

taken place

Number of fruit thinned

2014 trial - # Fruit after Thinning

# Fruit Thinned

2015 trial - # King Flowers less the # Fruit after Thinning

Fruit/Flowering Winter Bud Ratio of fruit per flowering winter bud

Fruit/Winter Bud Ratio of fruit per winter bud

Diameter of cane i.e. average of the diameter at the i)

Cane diameter (mm)

start of cane, ii) middle of cane and iii) end of cane

Number of canes assessed

Cane Number

Cane Length (m) Total length of cane assessed

Average distance between all an average of the distance between all canes assessed canes (mm) across all treatment areas

Average distance between

An average of the distance between all canes assessed individual treatment canes

across each of the treatment areas individually.

(mm) (for Example 1)

The area assessed for each treatment in Example 1 was determined by two methods. The first being to

Area of Treatment (m2) (For determine the length of the area my multiplying the example 1) number of canes by the average distance between all canes assessed across all four areas, and then multiplying by the width of the area. The second method was the same, except that the length of the area was determined using the average distance (i.e.

SH 553mm, H 720mm, S 633mm and O 667mm) between the canes of each applicable treatment area .

Winter Buds per m2 (for

Example 1) Number of winter buds divided by area of treatment

Flowering Winter Buds per

m2 (for Example 1) Number of winter buds that flowered divided by area of treatment

Flowers per m2 (for Example Number of flowers divided by area of treatment

1) 2014 trial - all flowers i.e. King + Secondary flowers

2015 trial - king flowers only

Fruit per m2 (for Example 1)

Number of fruit divided by area of treatment

Winter Buds per linear meter Number of winter buds divided by cane length

Flowering Winter Buds per Number of winter buds that flowered divided by cane linear meter length

Number of flowers divided cane length

Flowers per linear meter 2014 trial - all flowers i.e. King + Secondary flowers

2015 trial - King Flowers only

Fruit per linear meter Number of fruit divided by cane length

Example 1

A trial was conducted to determine the impact of the invention on kiwifruit plants. The trial was conducted in Kumeu, New Zealand on a kiwifruit block, G3 variety (Actinidia chinensis) variety, during mid winter. The G3 variety is a yellow flesh variety. Air temperature data was collected from an area of kiwifruit canes, some under shade net installed according to the invention, and some in an open (or unshaded) area .

Method

The site chosen was part of a block on an existing kiwifruit orchard, the site having no undue shading from shelter belts or other obstructions. The kiwifruit plants were growing on a pergola structure.

On the 4th July 2014, netting was laid over two bays of kiwifruit canes. The canes had previously been pruned and tied down to wires, in a manner generally perpendicular to the main leader, as is typical in the industry. The main body of the netting was a woven fabric made of comprising weft tapes of 2.5mm width (unfolded), 0.05mm thick, 1000 denier (g/9000m), at a density of 19 weft tapes per inch, and pairs of warp filaments of 500 denier woven through the weft tapes in a leno-weave construction, with a spacing of 16.0mm between adjacent pairs of warp filaments. The distance between crossovers on the pairs of warp filaments was 2.0mm, being slightly less than the width of the weft tapes such that the weft tapes were folded between crossovers. The weft tapes were made of polyethylene pigmented with carbon black (2.5% by weight). The warp filaments were made of polyethylene comprising a white pigment. The main body of the netting had a coverage of approximately 90%. The term "coverage" meaning the amount space occupied by material making up the fabric (as opposed to apertures therein (i.e. air space)) when the material is laid flat and viewed from an angle generally perpendicular to the material. The main body of the fabric had a weight of 84gsm. Figure 4 is an illustration of the main body of the netting. The dotted lines on the tapes illustrated in the drawings represent crease/fold lines.

A longitudinal centre region of the net formed a region of greater air permeability than the main body of the fabric. This section was arranged over and aligned along the length of the main leaders of the plants to act as a vent for warm air to escape. Measured in the same plane as the main body of the material, the vented region was about 0.66m wide. The vented region was arranged in an inverted "V" arrangement, with the apex of the "V" being about 0.60m above the plane of the main body of the material. This vented region was comprised of white pigmented polyethylene filaments of 500 denier, knitted in a pillar knit construction, the pillars being approximately 1.5mm wide and 12.5mm apart, with a knitting construction of 12 crossovers per inch in the warp direction. The coverage of the centre region was 20%. Figure 11 is an illustration of the venting region of the netting; the bolder vertical lines representing the filaments where they form knitted pillars and the thinner lines crossing back and forth between the pillars representing the filaments crossing back and forth between the pillars.

Wooden battens were arranged approximately 1 metre apart running parallel to the canes from one side of the bay to the other. The purpose of the battens was to ensure that the net did not physically touch the canes or the buds on the canes. There was approximately 50mm of space between the top of the canes and the netting. The netting was secured at all edges and the vent region was raised above the rest of the netting through use of poles that stood approximately 0.3 to 0.4m above the main body of the netting.

On the 17th July, Multitrip Data Loggers were installed within inverted white buckets with slits in the side to allow air movement. These buckets acted as Stevenson Screens for the loggers, recording only ambient air temperature. The loggers were tied to wires directly beneath the main body of the net and directly below the vent net and in an adjacent bay outside the netted area in open air. Data was set to be captured every 10 minutes for the duration of the trial. Temperature data is presented for the period 19 July to 14 August.

Netting was removed from the kiwifruit bays on the 15th August.

On the 15th August, after removal of netting, all buds (i.e. winter buds) between the 1^st (i.e. main leader wire) and 5^th wires of the bay were measured and counted from canes selected based on their similarity in size, length positioning. A winter bud is a dormant much condensed shoot of a woody plant enclosed in protective scales or covering that enable it to survive the winter. The number of winter buds counted is the # Winter Buds' figure in the tables below. Following the bud count, canes under half the area covered by netting ("area S") and canes in half the adjacent bay ("area O") outside the netted area were wrapped in tin foil to exclude these canes from a planned application Hi-Cane™ . The other half of the area covered by netting, and which had no protection from the planned Hi-Cane™ application, was designated "area SH". The other half of the adjacent bay without netting was designated "area H". Canes from all four areas were tagged and numbered with tape. The data is presented in tables 2A(i) to (iii) and 2B(i) to (iii) below.

On the 17th August, Hi-Cane was applied to the orchard. On 18th August, the aluminium foil was removed from the canes. Temperature loggers were removed on the 22nd August. Raw data was converted into daily mean, maximum and minimum temperatures for each of the loggers and is presented in tabular form in Figures 7A to 7C attached. On the 30th September, an advanced bud break count was conducted on all four areas. For each area, canes were numbered. The drawing of Figure 5 illustrates the general development of the buds at this point of time. For Areas SH and S, only canes that were directly under the netted area were included. On the 5th November a count of advanced open clusters was completed. The drawing of Figure 6 illustrates the general development of the buds at this point of time. The results are presented in tables 2A(i) to (iii) and 2B(i) to (iii) below.

On the 26th November fruit was thinned in accordance with standard industry criteria. More specifically, fruitlets were removed in the following situations:

(i) fruit that was misshapen as flats, fans, trebles or Hayward mark( beak like

protuberance);

(ii) fruit that was too small at the time of thinning and which was not expected to reach an exportable size;

(iii)where there were insufficient leaves to support fruit growth, more specifically, where there were only 1-2 leaves per fruit;

Fruit were counted as they were removed to establish the number of fruit removed. The number of fruit remaining after thinning was calculated as a back calculation based on the number of flowers previously counted.

The width of the area assessed for each of the four treatment areas was that between the first and fifth wires, i.e. the first and fifth wires out from the trunks of the row of plants. This width was 2.45m for all treatment areas. Distance between canes was calculated by two different methods. The first was to take an average of the distance between all canes assessed across all four treatment areas. This distance was 643mm.

The second method for determining distance between canes was to average the distance between the canes assessed across each of the treatment areas individually. The results were as follows: SH 553mm, H 720mm, S 633mm and O 667mm. Similarly, the area (in m²) of each treatment area was determined by two methods. The first being to determine the length of the area my multiplying the number of canes by the average distance (i.e. 643mm) between all canes assessed across all four areas, and then multiplying by the width of the area. The second method was the same, except that the length of the area was determined using the average distance (i.e. SH 553mm, H 720mm, S 633mm and O 667mm)between the canes of each applicable treatment area, as stated above.

Winter Buds/m² was determined by total number of buds divided by area (sqm) of the treatment area (the area being calculated by both methods discussed above to producing two sets of data).

Flowering Winter Buds/ m² is based on the number of buds that flowered divided by area (sqm) of the treatment area (again, the area (sqm) calculated by both methods discussed above).

Total Flowers per m² is the sum of all flowers divided by the area (sqm) of the treatment area (again, the area (sqm) is calculated by both methods discussed above). The Fruit per m² is total fruit after thinning divided by the area (sqm) of treatment area (again, the area (sqm) is calculated by both methods discussed above).

On the 24th November cane diameter was determined by measuring the diameter of canes at the 1st, 3rd and 5th wire then averaging the results. The canes that were analysed were of similar diameter, which reduces variation in the number of buds per lineal metre. Callipers were used to determine the diameter in mm.

The Cane Number in each area was determined by a simple count of the canes being assessed in the treatment area. Cane length (i.e. the total length of all cane in the area assessed) was determined by the number of canes for each area x the width of the area which the canes traversed (i.e 2.45 m). For SH and H, each had 6 canes x 2.45m = 14.7m. Areas S and O, each had 4 canes x 2.45m = 9.8m. Buds per lineal meter was determined by dividing the total number of buds by the calculated cane length figure. Total length of canes for each area was based on Area of treatment is 9.5m² for SH and H and 6.5m² for S and O. Buds/m² was determined by total number of buds divided by area of treatment. Results

A Richardson chill unit model was used to determine accumulation of winter chill. The Richardson chill unit model (or variations thereof) applies different weight to different temperature bands and is generally viewed as a more accurate method of calculating chill units than a straight count of chill units. Richardson chill units were determined from each logger over the period 19 July to 14 August. The model applied to calculate the units is illustrated in Figure 3. Richardson chill units accumulated has been tabled below.

Table 1A

Richardson Units

Logger Location Units Accumulated

Shade 266.5

No shade 214.5

An alternative way of calculating winter chill accumulation is to count the number of hours below 7 °C to which a plant is exposed. Table IB below shows the number of hours below 7 °C to which the plants were exposed from 19 July to 14 August. This alternative method show that the shade had less hours below 7 degrees compared to the Richardson model. It is considered that the Richardson model is more accurate for determining chill units.

Table IB

Chilling Hours at or E

Logger Location Hours Accumulated

Shade 155

No Shade 160

Figures 7A, 7B and 7C are tables showing respectively maximum daily temperatures, minimum daily temperatures and average daily temperatures for the period of the trial. As illustrated, the data loggers evidenced that the shaded area experienced a reduction in daily maximum air temperatures, a small increase in daily minimum air temperatures, and a small decrease in daily mean air temperature. Table 2A (i)

Bud Assessment (Conventional)

Table 2A (ii)

Bud Assessment (Conventional) Continued

Table 2A (iii)

Bud Assessment Conventional) Continued

Table 2B (i)

Bud Assessment (Orga

Areas S 0

# Winter Buds 134 132

# Winter Buds that broke 75 57 % Winter Buds that broke 56% 43%

Difference 12.8

% Difference 30 ..

# Winter Buds that flowered 63 47

% Winter Buds that flowered 47% 36%

Difference 11

% Difference 32%

# Flowers 231 161

Flowers/Flowering Winter Bud 3.7 3.4

Flowers/Winter Bud 1.7 1.2

Difference 0.50

% Difference 41%

# Fruit Thinned 36 64

# Fruit after Thinning 195 97

Fruit/Flowering Winter Bud 3.1 2.1 Fruit/Winter Bud 1.5 0.7

Difference 0.7

% Difference 98%

Cane diameter mm 13.8 12.7

Difference 1.1

% Difference 9%

Cane N umber 4 4

Cane length (m) 9. 9.8

Winter Buds per linear meter 13.7 13.5

Difference 0.2

% Difference 2% Table 2B (ii)

Bud Assessment (Organic) Conti

Table 2B (iii)

Bud Assessment (Organic) Continued

Conclusion

Looking first at the data showing temperature of the shaded and unshaded areas

(Figures 7A to 7C), it can be seen that the maximum and average daily temperatures beneath the main body of the netting were consistently lower than the daily

temperatures in the unshaded region. Conversely, the minimum daily temperatures for the shaded area were higher than that experienced for the unshaded area. This is likely to be the result of some warmer air being retained overnight under the netting, whereas all such air has ready escape for the area not under netting causing the unshaded area to be cooler. The average temperature graph for a 24 hour period (Figure 8) illustrates this further, where it can be seen that the air temperature beneath the netting is lower during daytime hours, and warmer overnight. Importantly, the overall effect of the netting, as reflected in the Richardson Chill Units accumulated, shows a greater accumulation of chill units for the shaded areas compared to the unshaded areas. It can also be seen that the temperatures for the daily maximums for the region under the netting (i.e. Figure 7A) reach the winter chill hour negation part of the Richardson Chill Unit model (i.e. above 16.0 °C) less often than the temperatures recorded in the unshaded region. It can also be seen that the daily minimum temperatures are below the zero chill unit accumulation temperature of 1.5°C less often, meaning that more chill units are also being

accumulated overnight for the shaded area than for the non-shaded area.

Looking at the bud assessment data, the results show an approximately 20% increase in bud break when applying the invention to conventional orcharding techniques. The increase in bud break for the invention applied to organic orcharding was 30%.

It is noted that the buds per lineal meter figures in this example and the following example are not considered to be a treatment effect. Likewise, the cane diameter figures discussed in the examples are not considered to be a treatment effect. These figures are included for the purposes of qualifying the information based upon them.

The same trend can be seen for buds that flowered for both conventional and organic methods. Such figures represent a very significant and surprising development on current practices. For the organic treatment an approximately 40% increase in the number of flowers per total buds was experienced by the shaded area compared to the unshaded area.

Kiwifruit are thinned from the vines according to current practice to remove fruit from the vines that are not considered desirable for market (for example misshapen fruit); this ensures better development of the remaining fruit and better final commercial returns. Accordingly, the section of data relating to fruit remaining after thinning is highly significant in terms of commercial returns to an orchardist. Looking at the data in this section for conventional orcharding first, we see a 10% increase in fruit per total buds, when based on fruit remaining after thinning. Turning to organic orcharding, an increase of nearly 100% in fruit per total buds was experienced when the invention was applied.

Accordingly, the trial shows that material installed in an appropriate manner at an appropriate time according to the invention can significantly influence bud break, flowering and fruiting for both conventional and organic orcharding. This was a particularly unexpected result, and potentially has large benefits to the kiwifruit industry.

The results also demonstrate a clear increase in Richardson chill units resulting from use of the shade. Example 2

A further trial was conducted to determine the impact of the invention on kiwifruit plants approximately one year after the trial of Example 1. The trial was again conducted in Kumeu, on the same orchard and with the same variety of plants.

Method

Both air temperature data and vine temperature data was collected from an area of kiwifruit canes, some under shade net installed according to the invention, and some in an open (or unshaded) area. Air temperature data was collected in the same manner as for example 1. Vine temperature data was collected via a probe inserted into the end of an already cut cane (i.e. cut during a previous pruning). The cane had a diameter of about 12mm at the cut end. The probe was inserted from the end to the cane and into about 60mm of its length. The material used had the same construction as the main body of the material detailed in Example 1, and had no venting region included in the construction of the material. The material was suspended in lengths extending along rows of kiwifruit vines. The vines were again growing on pergolas according to standard practice. Each length of material was 2.4m wide and arranged over the fruiting wood of the plant. Each length of material was arranged at an angle of approximately 12° degrees from horizontal. Each length of material had a gap of approximately 0.5m between its lateral edge and the lateral edge of its neighbouring length of material.

Temperature data collected was converted into Richardson chill units. The results are presented below in Tables 3 and 4.

In a manner similar to example 1, four treatment areas were again studied. Each area was replicated 4 times. For each vine all canes and spurs were numbered. The length of all canes was measured from the base to apex (tip). Due to the size of the trial, only canes that were of reasonable length (e.g. greater than about lm) were included, and a maximum of about 16 canes per vine was used.

On 18^th August the number of winter buds in each trial area are was counted. This is the # Total Winter Buds' figure in the tables below.

On the 23rd September, an advanced bud break count was conducted on all four areas. For each area, canes were numbered. Also, the orientation of all winter buds (upwards, downwards, sideward) was recorded . On 20th October a bud break count was completed. The number of buds that broke were counted. The number of broken buds that contained flower buds and the number of buds that had no flower buds were recorded. King flower buds were counted. Secondary flower buds were not counted due to the size of the trial. The results are presented in tables 5 and 6 below. The results have been presented side by side with the results from the year previous for comparison purposes. The sum of flowers figure in the 2015 results is a sum of king flowers (for the 2014 results the sum of flowers figure is a sum of all flowers).

Soon after 20th October flower buds were thinned in accordance with standard industry criteria to 60 flower buds/m².

Results

Table 3

Richardson Units (Air Temperature)

18-July to 1-September 2015

Units

Logger Location Accumulated

Shade 452

No Shade 331

Table 4

Richardson Units (Vine Temperature)

18-July to 1-September

Logger Location Units Accumulated

Shade 467

No Shade 327

Average temperature graphs for a 24 hour period were prepared for the trial period for both air temperature (Figure 23) and for vine temperature (Figure 24). Similar to Example 1, it can be seen that the air temperature beneath the netting is lower during daytime hours, and also slightly warmer overnight. The vine temperature graph also shows a lower vine temperature during the day and also slightly warmer temperature overnight. The air temperature graph is based on data collected during the period 18 July to 1 September. The vine temperature graph is based on data collected during the period 18 July to 1 September.

Table 5(i)

G3 Variety Bud Assessment (Conventional)

Table 5(ii)

G3 Variety Bud Assessment (Conventional) Continued

Table 6(i)

G3 Variety Bud Assessment (Organic)

Table 6(ii)

G3 Variety Bud Assessment (Organic) Continued

Conclusion

The temperature data of Example 2 validated the data from Example 1, and reinforced the conclusions made. In particular, the large increase in Richardson chill units of 43% in the vine accumulated over the period of the trial demonstrates the advantages in terms of additional winter chill that the invention may provide.

The winter relating to the 2015 data was cooler than the previous winter, and this, or other factors, may have had an influence on the 2015 data where the differences are not so large between the treatments.

Summary of Examples 1 and 2

Tables 9 and 10 below provide a summary of information from Examples 1 and 2.

Table 9

Example 3

A pre-harvest fruit count was conducted on the treatment areas of Example 2 on 17 & 18 March, not long before harvest. The number of fruit counted (i.e. total fruit) in each treatment area was recorded. All fruit in each treatment area were counted. The total fruit number was divided by the area of each treatment, to provide a fruit per square meter as is commonly used in the kiwifruit industry. The results are presented in Tables 11 and 12 below. Table 11

Conclusion

The data indicates that increasing winter chill results in a significantly larger number of fruit pre-harvest, for both conventional and organic growing methods. Example 4

The pre-harvest count data was analysed from a 'fruit per linear meter' viewpoint for each treatment area. The fruit per linear metre figures below were based upon the lengths of the canes selected in the original mapping and that were still present at the time of pre-harvest in each treatment area (measured from base to apex (tip)) and counting fruit growing on those canes. Fruit growing on spurs (i.e. short terminating shoots) was not counted. The results are presented in Tables 13 & 14 below.

Table 13

Conclusion

The results support the conclusion of Example 3 that increasing winter chill results in a significantly larger number of fruit pre-harvest, for both conventional and organic growing methods.

The invention may also be applicable to other plants in particular it may be applicable to deciduous plants or woody plants. The invention may be applicable to plants including a stone fruit plants, including apricot, nectarine, peach, plum, or cherry; a cane fruit plants, including blackcurrant, raspberry, boysenberry, or black berry; a vine fruit plants, including kiwifruit or grape; pip fruit plants, including apple, pear, nashi, persimmon, or citrus; brassica genus vegetables including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli; and

herbaceous crops, including coriander or celery; or strawberries. The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated in the scope hereof, as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A method of influencing bud break, or increasing fruit yield or quality, in a plant comprising installing material above the plant to shade buds on the plant from solar radiation and lower the temperature of the buds or of the air proximate the plant or buds, and maintaining said material in place for at least part of the plant's dormancy period, wherein said material is arranged to lie generally in a plane of between about 0° and 45° from horizontal.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a clearance between the plant and the material of at least 0.05m.

3. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the plant is a fruiting or vegetable plant, or where the plant is a kiwifruit plant.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the material is effective to lower the mean daily temperature of the air proximate the plant or buds by at least about 0.05°C, or at least about 0.10°C, or at least about 0.15°C, or at least about 0.20°C for at least part of the plants dormancy period.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the material is effective to lower the mean daily temperature of the buds by at least about 0.05°C, or at least about 0.10°C, or at least about 0.15°C, or at least about 0.20°C for at least part of the plants dormancy period.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material to generally lie in a plane of between about 5° and about 40°, or between about 5° and about 35°, or between about 5° and about 30°, or between about 5° and about 25°, or between about 5° and about 20°, or between about 5° and about 15°, from horizontal.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material horizontal above the plant.

8. A method as claimed any preceding claim including installing and maintaining a material having a length longer than its width and said angle of said general plane is measured across the materials width.

9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining a material which is generally water and/or wind permeable.

10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material such that warm air does not collect beneath the material.

11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material over a plurality of rows of plants and the material includes a venting region that allows warmer air to escape from beneath the material.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the venting region is either a gap within the material; a gap between two sheets of material; or an area within the material comprising a weave, knit, or matrix structure of greater air permeability than the main body of the material.

13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material generally above the fruiting wood of the plant and a venting region is located near or generally above a main leader of the plant.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the plant is trained such that fruiting wood is laid substantially horizontally from a main leader.

15. A method as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the venting region is an area of greater air permeability and is arranged such that it is higher than the main body of the material.

16. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including removing the material before bud break.

17. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material above said plant for between about 1 week and about 4 months, or between about 1 and about 12 weeks, or between about 1 and about 8 weeks, or between about 1 and about 4 weeks, or between about 3 and about 10 weeks, or between about 3 and about 7 weeks.

18. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the material is installed before the onset of dormancy, or within about 1, 2, or 4 weeks before dormancy.

19. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing the material after pruning and tying down of fruiting wood.

20. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material such that, in general, at least minimally, it is not in direct physically contact with the buds.

21. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material such that, in general, it is not in direct contact with the fruiting wood.

22. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said plant is growing on a pergola or a T-bar structure and said material is located above the pergola or T-bar structure.

23. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the material acts to lower bud temperature by shading said buds from visible solar radiation (400-700nm) and/or infrared solar radiation (700-2500nm) and/or ultra violet (280-400nm) solar radiation.

24. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the material (excluding any venting region) has a cover factor of more than about 30%, or more than about 35%, or more than about 40%, or more than about 45%, or more than about 50%, or more than about 55%, or more than about 60%, or more than about 70%, or more than about 80%, or more than about 90%, or more than about 95% or about 100%, or between about 30 and about 95%, or between about 30 and about 90%, or between about 40 and about 95%, or between about 40 and about 90%.

25. A method as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the material reduces the solar radiation incident upon the plant by more than about 10%, or more than about

20%, or more than about 30% or more than about 40%, or more than about 50%, or more than about 60%, or more than about 70%, or more than about 80%, or more than about 90%, or more than about 95%.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the solar radiation is radiation of wavelength range 700 to 2500nm, or 700 to 1500nm, or 700 to l lOOnm, or 700 to lOOOnm, or 700 to 900nm, or 700 to 800nm.

27. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the yarns from which the material is comprised transmit less than about 10%, or about 20% or about 30% or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95% on average of visible solar radiation (400-700nm) and/or infrared solar radiation (700-2500nm) and/or ultra violet (280-400nm) solar radiation.

28. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the yarns from which the material is comprised transmit less than about 10%, or about 20% or about 30% or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95% on average of solar radiation of wavelength range 700 to 2500nm, or 700 to 1500nm, or 700 to l lOOnm, or 700 to lOOOnm, or 700 to 900nm, or 700 to 800nm.

29. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the material, or the main body of the material is of woven construction, knitted construction, or is a film.

30. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 28 wherein the material, or main body of the material is of knitted construction comprising knitted tapes (as opposed to monofilaments).

31. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the material includes a venting region and the venting region is of woven of knitted construction.

32. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing a woven material comprising :

weft tapes,

wherein the distance between adjacent cross over points is less than the width of the weft tapes so that the weft tapes are folded at each group of warp yarns.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32 wherein the spacing between adjacent groups of warp yarns is sufficient to allow the weft tapes to substantially unfold so that the edges of adjacent weft tapes overlap or abut between adjacent groups of warp yarns.

34. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including applying a synthetic plant growth regulator for promoting bud break or flowering to the plant.

35. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein the synthetic plant growth regulator is a spray and including removing the material from above the plant before the spray is applied.

36. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33 implemented in the absence of a plant growth regulator for promoting bud break or flowering.

37. A method as claimed in claims 34 or 35 wherein the synthetic plant growth regulator is hydrogen cyanamide.

38. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said material is also suitable for use in protection from high wind (e.g. wind above 30 knots) or from hail.

39. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material on a system for easy retraction and extension of material, such that the material can be extended to cover the plants when shading is desired and retracted when shading is not desired, or retracted to enable manual work on the plants or for application of spray products.

40. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the plant in an open air environment.

41. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material over a fruiting plant or vegetable as part of a commercial production process.

42. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material over a plant which is a deciduous plant.

43. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material over a plant which is a woody plant.

44. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material over a plant which is a mature plant.

45. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including installing and maintaining the material over a plant which is: a stone fruit plant, including an apricot, nectarine, peach, plum, or cherry plant; a cane fruit plant, including a blackcurrant, raspberry, boysenberry, or black berry plant; a vine fruit plant, including kiwifruit or grape plant; a pip fruit plant, including apple, pear, nashi, persimmon, or citrus plant; a brassica genus vegetable including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli; or a herbaceous crop plant, including coriander or celery plant; or a strawberry plant.

46. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 44 including installing and maintaining the material over a plant of Actinidia genus.

47. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 44 wherein the plant is a kiwifruit plant.

48. A method as claimed in claim 47 wherein the plant is from the species A. deliciosa (including 'Hayward', 'Blake', and 'Saanichton 12' cultivars), A. chinensis (also known as golden kiwifruit, and including Hort 16A and G3 cultivars), A. Coriacea (also known as Chinese egg gooseberry), A. arguta (also known as baby kiwifruit), A. kolomikta (also known as arctic kiwifruit), A. melanandra (also known as red kiwifruit), A. polygama (also known as silver vine), or A purpurea (also known as purple kiwifruit).

49. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the material is arranged such that it does not substantially obstruct horizontal air movement.

50. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the material does not substantially shield the plant from air convecting from the ground or from terrestrial radiation.

51. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is a clearance between plant and the material of between 0.05m and 5m, or 0.1m and 5m, or 0.2m and 5m, or 0.3m and 5m, or 0.6m and 5m, or 0.05 and lm, or 0.05m and 0.8m, or 0.1m and 0.8m, or 0.2m and 0.8m.

52. A system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising :

53. A system as claimed in claim 52 wherein said material is suitable to shade the plants beneath it from:

- at least about 20% on average of solar radiation across the wavelength range 1500 to 2000nm that would otherwise be incident upon said plants, and/or - at least about 20% on average of solar radiation across the wavelength range 400 to 700nm that would otherwise be incident upon said plants, and/or

54. A system as claimed in either of claims 52 or 53 wherein said material has a length longer than its width and said material is arranged such that it is generally horizontal across its width.

55. A system as claimed in any of claims 52 to 54 wherein said material is bunched in a concertina type arrangement when in the retracted position.

56. A system as claimed any one of claims 52 to 55 wherein when extended said material lies generally in a plane at an angle of between 0 and about 45° from horizontal, or wherein when extended said material lies in a generally horizontal plane.

57. A system as claimed in claim 56 wherein said material has a length greater than its width and the angle of said plane is measured across the material's width.

58. A system as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 57 wherein the yarns from which the material is comprised provide transmit less than about 10%, or about 20% or about 30% or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95% on average of visible solar radiation (400-700nm) and/or infrared solar radiation (700-2500nm) and/or ultra violet (280-400nm) solar radiation.

59. A system as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 58 wherein the yarns from which the material is comprised provide transmit less than about 10%, or about 20% or about 30% or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95% on average of solar radiation of wavelength range 700 to 2500nm, or 700 to 1500nm, or 700 to l lOOnm, or 700 to lOOOnm, or 700 to 900nm, or 700 to 800nm.

60. A system as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 59 wherein the system further comprises a second material also movably attached along said suspension means such that it may be extended from a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants by extending the second material along said suspension means, and wherein said second material is different from said first material in solar radiation reflectivity, transmission and/or absorption characteristics, or different in construction and/or cover factor characteristics.

61. A system as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 59 wherein the system further comprises a second material and said second material is movably attached along a second generally horizontal longitudinally extending suspension means such that it may be extended from a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants by extending the second material along said second suspension means, and wherein said second material is different from said first material in solar radiation reflectivity, transmission and/or absorption characteristics, or different in construction and/or cover factor characteristics.

62. A system as claimed in claim 61 wherein said first and second generally horizontal suspension means are supported by, or mounted upon, a same supporting structure.

63. A system as claimed in any one of claims 60 to 62 wherein said second material has a cover factor of less than about 20%, or less than about 15%, or less than about

10%, or less than about 8% or less than about 5%.

64. A system as claimed in any one of claims 60 to 63 wherein said second material is generally impermeable to water.

65. A plurality of systems as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 64 arranged side by side and arranged such that:

(iii) the lateral edges of neighbouring lengths of material abut each other; or

66. A plurality of systems as claimed in claim 65 wherein said lengths of material are arranged for the ready escape of warmer air, or include venting means for the ready escape of warmer air.

67. A plurality of systems as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 66 wherein a plurality of lengths of material are arranged to be side by side, each length of material lying in a general plane across its width having an angle of between about 1° and about 45°, or about 5° and about 30°, or about 5° and about 15° and such that there is a height differential between adjacent lateral edges of neighbouring lengths of material.

68. A plurality of systems as claimed in claim 67 wherein said adjacent lateral edges of the neighbouring lengths of material overlap when viewed from above.

69. A system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising material installed above said plants, said material being moveable between a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants.

70. A system as claimed in claim 69 wherein said material comprises at least one edge region attached to or supported by a generally horizontal longitudinally extending suspension means.

71. A system as claimed in claim 70 wherein said generally horizontal longitudinally extending suspension means is at a height similar to or greater than the height of said plants.

72. A system as claimed in claimed in claim 70 or 71 wherein said material is longer than it is wide and is attached to said suspension means along a lengthwise extending edge of said material.

73. A system as claimed in any one of claims 69 to 72 wherein when said material is in a retracted position it is bunched or folded (including concertina folded) across its width.

74. A system as claimed in any one of claims 69 to 73 wherein said plurality of plants are arranged in a row and said suspension means is aligned with said row of plants.

75. A system as claimed in claim 74 wherein when said material is in a retracted position it is bunched or folded (including concertina folded) across its width and wherein when said material may be moved to an extended position by moving one longitudinal edge of the material across the width of the row of plants to thereby cover said plants.

76. A system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising a plurality of lengths of material supported above said plants by vertically orientated support means, said lengths of material having a length longer than width, each of said lengths of material arranged such that each has at least one lengthwise extending edge adjacent to and spaced apart from a lengthwise extending edge of a neighbouring length of material such that the space between said spaced apart neighbouring lengths of material forms a vent region, and wherein said vertically orientated support means protrude though or into said venting region.

77. A system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants, said plants having fruiting wood growing from a main leader and in a generally horizontal plane, said system comprising a material supported generally above and in a plane generally parallel to the fruiting wood, said material having a first region located above the fruiting wood and a second region arranged located above said leader, said first region suitable to shade fruiting wood beneath it from at least 20% of solar radiation on average across the wavelength range 700 to lOOOnm and/or the wavelength range 1000 to 1500nm , and/or the wavelength range 1500 to 2000nm, and/or the wavelength range 400 to 700nm, and/or the wavelength range 280 to 400nm, and said second region having greater air permeability than the first region.

78. A system as claimed in claim 77 wherein said material may be extended from a retracted position where it does not cover or shade said plants to an extended position where it does cover or shade said plants.

79. A system as claimed in claim 78 wherein said material is suspended above the plants by a suspension means (such as a wire, rope or cable) and movement between said retracted and extended positions is effected by sliding a slideable attachment means fixed to said material along the suspension means.

80. A system as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 64 or 69 to 79 wherein said material comprises a plurality of lengths of materials installed above a plurality of plants or rows of plants.

81. A system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising material supported above said plants, said material effective to shade buds on the plant from solar radiation and lower the mean daily temperature of air proximate the plant or buds by at least about 0.05°C, or at least about 0.10°C, or at least about 0.15°C, or at least about 0.20°C, for at least part of the plant's dormancy period.

82. A system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising material supported above said plants, said material effective to shade buds on the plant from solar radiation and lower the mean daily temperature of the buds by at least about 0.05°C, or at least about 0.10°C, or at least about 0.15°C, or at least about 0.20°C, for at least part of the plant's dormancy period.

83. A system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising a plurality of lengths of material supported above said plants, said lengths of material arranged side by side and generally horizontally but such that there is a height differential between adjacent lateral edges of neighbouring lengths of material, and wherein said adjacent edges overlap when viewed vertically from above.

84. A system as claimed in claim 83 wherein each length of material has a similar direction of tilt from horizontal, such that they form a louver type arrangement.

85. A system as claimed in claim 84 wherein each length of material has a similar angle of tilt form horizontal.

86. A system as claimed in any one of claims 77 to 80 wherein said material

(excluding said second region) shades the plant from at least about 20% of solar radiation on average across the wavelength range 700 to lOOOnm and/or the wavelength range 1000 to 1500nm, and/or the wavelength range 1500 to 2000nm, and/or the wavelength range 400 to 700nm, and/or the wavelength range 280 to 400nm, and said second region having greater air permeability than the first region.

87. A system as claimed in claim 83 to 86 wherein said lengths of material may be extended from a retracted position where they do not cover said plants to an extended position where they do cover said plants.

88. A system as claimed in any of claims 69 to 87 wherein said material is suspended above the plants by a longitudinally extending generally horizontal suspension means and movement between said retracted and extended positions effected by sliding a slideable attachment means fixed to said material along the suspension means.

89. A system as claimed in any one of claims 83 to 88 wherein the gap between neighbouring lengths of material faces away from the predominant angle of sun exposure.

90. A system as claimed in any one of claims 83 to 89 wherein the height difference between the lateral edge of one length of material and the closest lateral edge of its neighbouring length of material (i.e. the height gap between louvers) is between about 0.01 and about lm, or about 0.01 and about 0.75m, or about 0.01 and about 0.5m, or about 0.01 and about 0.25m, or about 0.01 and about 0.1m.

91. A system as claimed in any one of claims 83 to 90 wherein said lengths of material (when covering said plants), sit generally in a plane having an angle of between about 0° and about 45°, between about 5° and about 45°, or between about 5° and about 40°, or between about 5° and about 35°, or between about 5° and about 30°, or between about 5° and about 25°, or between about 5° and about 20°, or between about 5° and about 15° from horizontal when measured across their width.

92. A system as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 91 wherein said material is water permeable.

93. A system as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 91 wherein said material is water impermeable.

94. A system as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 93 wherein said material is a woven, knitted or film material; coated or uncoated.

95. A system as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 94 wherein said material has a weight of at least about 60 gsm, or at least about 120 gsm, or at least about 180 gsm.

96. A system as claimed in either of claims 52 to 95 installed on generally flat land.

97. A system as claimed in claim in either of claims 52 to 96, wherein said material (when covering said plants), when measured across its width, sits generally in a plane of between about 0° and about 45°, or between about 5° and about 45°, or between about 5° and about 40°, or between about 5° and about 35°, or between about 5° and about 30°, or between about 5° and about 25°, or between about 5° and about 20°, or between about 5° and about 15° from the general plane of the land above which it is located.

98. A system as claimed any one of claims 87 to 97 wherein said material is formed from a plurality of lengths of material in a louver arrangement.

99. A system as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 98 wherein the material has a cover factor of more than about 5%, or more than about 10%, or more than about 20%, or more than about 30%, or more than about 40%, or more than about 50%, or more than about 60%, or more than about 70%, or more than about 80%, or more than about 90%, or more than about 95% or about 100%, or between about 20 and 95%, or between about 30 and about 95%, or between about 30 and about 90%, or between about 40 and about 95%, or between about 40 and about 90%.

100. The use of a system as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 99 for influencing bud break of a plant after winter dormancy.

101. A use as claimed in claim 100 wherein the plant is a kiwifruit plant.

102. A system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising :

an existing fruit support structure comprising existing vertical support means;

103. A kit for retro-fitting an existing fruit support structure comprising existing vertical support means, for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants, the kit comprising :

104. A system for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising :

a fruit support structure comprising vertical support means and vertically extending extension means which extend to a height higher than said vertical support means;

generally horizontal longitudinally extending support means suspended between said vertically extending extension means; and netting material suspended such that it is generally horizontal, said netting suspended by said generally horizontal longitudinally extending support means.

105. A system or kit as claimed in any one of claims 102 to 104 wherein said vertically extending extension means are fixed to said vertical support means.

106. A system or kit as claimed in any one of claims 102 to 104 wherein said vertically extending extension means are not fixed to said vertical support means.

107. A system or kit as claimed in any one of claims 102 to 106 wherein the fruit support structure is a pergola structure.

108. A system or kit as claimed in any one of claims 102 to 106 wherein the fruit support structure is a T-bar structure.

109. A system or kit as claimed in any one of claims 102 to 108 wherein the fruit support structure supports a cane fruit plant or a vine fruit plant.

110. A system or kit as claimed in claim 109 wherein the fruit support structure supports a grape plant.

111. A system or kit as claimed in claim 109 wherein the fruit support structure supports a kiwifruit plant.

112. A system or kit as claimed in claim 111 wherein the plant is from the species A. deliciosa (including 'Hayward', 'Blake', and 'Saanichton 12' cultivars), A. chinensis (also known as golden kiwifruit, and including Hort 16A and G3 cultivars), A. Coriacea (also known as Chinese egg gooseberry), A. arguta (also known as baby kiwifruit), A.

kolomikta (also known as arctic kiwifruit), A. melanandra (also known as red kiwifruit), A. polygama (also known as silver vine), A. purpurea (also known as purple kiwifruit).

113. A fruit support structure for protecting or influencing the growth and development of a plurality of plants comprising :

a plurality of vertical supports,

114. A fruit support structure as claimed in claim 113 including netting material suspended such that it is generally horizontal, said netting suspended by said generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports.

115. A fruit support structure as claimed in claim 113 or 114 wherein said horizontal plant supports are fixed to said vertical supports at a position of at least 1.6m above the ground, when in use.

116. A fruit support structure as claimed in any of claims 113 to 115 wherein said horizontal plant supports are fixed to said vertical supports at a position of between 1.6 m and 2.0m above the ground, or at approximately 1.8m, when in use.

117. A fruit support structure as claimed in any of claims 113 to 116 wherein said generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports are at a height of at least

0.2m, or 0.3m, or 0.4m, or 0.5m, or 0.7m, or 1.0m, or 1.2m, or 1.4m, or 1.6m, or 1.8m, or 2.0m, or 2.2m, or 2.4m, or 2.6m, or 2.8m, or 3.0m, or 3.5m, or 4.0m, or 5m above said horizontal plant supports, when in use.

118. A fruit support structure as claimed in any of claims 113 to 116 wherein said generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports are at a height of less than 8m, 6m, or 5m or 4.5m, or 4.0m, or 3.5m, or 3.0m, or 2.5m, or 2.3m, or 2.0m, or 1.8m, or 1.6m, or 1.4m, or 1.2m, or 1.0m, or 0.8m, or 0.6m, or 0.4m above said horizontal plant supports, when in use.

119. A fruit support structure as claimed in any of claims 113 to 116 wherein said generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports are at a height of less between 0.1m and 8m, or 0.2m and 6m, or 0.2m and 5m, or 0.2m and 4.5m, or 0.2m and 4.0m, or 0.2m and 3.5m, or 0.2m and 3.0m, or 0.2 and 2.5m, or 0.2 and 2.3m, or 0.4 to 2.3m above said horizontal plant supports.

120. A fruit support structure as claimed in any of claims 113 to 119 wherein said vertical supports and/or said horizontal plant supports are comprised of wood or metal or plastic.

121. A fruit support structure as claimed in any of claims 113 to 120 wherein said generally horizontal longitudinally extending fabric supports comprise wire.