Evaluation of Colored Shade Cloth on Tomato Production in Oklahoma

Colored shade cloths have shown a potential to lengthen the growing season of many crops.  This study was designed to evaluate three different colors of shade cloth on the production of tomatoes in Oklahoma.  Black, red and aluminet shade cloths were compared to a control.  There was no significant difference in total production per plant or number of fruit per plant among the treatments.  Average weight of fruit grown under black shade cloth was significantly higher than fruit grown under red shade cloth.  Black shade cloth increased percent marketable fruit compared to control, while the red shade cloth had a lower percent marketable fruit than the control.  Percent grade 1 fruit was lowest under the red shade cloths. All shade cloths declined the maximum temperature observed within the canopy of the plants.  With the black shade cloth significantly lower than the red or aluminet for maximum temperature. This study was conducted for two years and there was a significant difference between both years.  The data indicates that the black shade cloth increased the performance of the tomato plants over the other control, while the red shade cloth actually decreased average weight and percent marketable fruit.