“植物铠甲”让草莓产量翻三倍多

A new type of fabric originally developed for soldiers could help farmers grow far more strawberries. Researchers at North Carolina State University in the United States first designed the knitted material to protect soldiers from mosquito bites while keeping their uniforms comfortable. They then wondered whether the same idea could protect crops. The fabric has a thick, three-dimensional structure full of tiny holes. When it is laid directly over strawberry plants, the layers stop insects from reaching the leaves and fruit. At the same time, the material still allows sunlight, rain and air to pass through. In trials carried out in growing tunnels, the covered plants produced up to 3.5 times as much fruit as uncovered plants. The fabric also kept the plants slightly warmer, which helped them start producing fruit earlier in the season. Tests showed that it did not reduce the amount of light reaching the plants or harm their health. The researchers believe the covering could help farmers cut down on chemical pesticides and save water. The university has patented the fabric and licensed it to a company for commercial development. However, so far it has only been tested in tunnels, not in large open fields, so more research is needed.