Reflective netting material

A reflective netting material for placement in an elevated position above the ground and over fruit- or vegetable-bearing plants, said netting material comprising a knitted, woven, or non-woven structure, from a synthetic monofilament, yarn, or tape or combination thereof formed from a resin comprising at least one pigment such that the monofilament, yarn, or tape reflects at least 40% solar radiation on average across the UV (wavelength about 280-400 nm), visible (wavelength about 400-700 nm) and very near infrared (wavelength about 700-800 nm) ranges, and which transmits at least 5% on average of solar radiation across the wavelength range about 800-2500 nm, said netting material operable to create a plant environment beneath the material which is favorable for the growth of said plants and/or the development of fruit or vegetables borne by the plants, by virtue of diffusion of incident radiation UV radiation by the netting material.

A method comprising the steps of placing over fruit- or vegetable-bearing plants, and in an elevated position above the ground, a netting comprising a knitted, woven, or non-woven structure, from a synthetic monofilament, yarn, or tape or combination thereof formed from a resin comprising at least one pigment such that the monofilament, yarn, or tape reflects at least 30% solar radiation on average across the UV (wavelength about 280-400 nm), visible (wavelength about 400-700 nm) and very near infrared (wavelength about 700-800 nm) ranges, and which transmits at least 10% on average of solar radiation across the wavelength range about 800-2500 nm, and which reflective netting material has a cover factor (as herein defined) of less than 90%, said netting material operable to create a plant environment beneath the material which is favorable for the growth of said plants and/or the development of fruit or vegetables borne by the plants, by virtue of diffusion of incident radiation UV radiation by the netting material.