Pablo Melgarejo, Pilar Legua, Rafael T. Martínez, Juan José Martínez, Francisca Hernández (Plant Science and Microbiology Department, High Polythechnic School of Orihuela (EPSO), Miguel Hernandez University), Joaquín Sánchez (Operations Research Center, University Miguel Hernández of Elche) and Ángel A. Carbonell (Agro-Food Technology Department, High Polythechnic School of Orihuela (EPSO), Miguel Hernandez University)
Abstract: The cultivation of fruit trees in protected environments is a technique that has been developed in recent years for peaches and nectarines, but not for apricots. This study was conducted to investigate the chemical composition of the fruits and their quality indices variations of the variety ‘Mikado’ as a function of its cultivation under a protective net or outdoors. As a practical agronomic assay, a homogeneous experimental plot was used in this study, where half of the apricot trees were cultivated under protective netting, and the other half without it. The data showed that for the total yield, no statistically significant differences were found with respect to ‘Mikado’ trees cultivated with or without a net. The trees cultivated under protective nets showed higher fruit weights. The results showed that the technique of using protective nets for the cultivation of extra-early apricot ‘Mikado’ is a profitable alternative for farmers, and their use does not affect fruit production or quality.