Blue Nets Research Articles

Gillnet colour affects catch efficiency in pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis) tropical estuary fishery

Gillnets are one of the most commonly used fishing gears in both marine and inland waters. Different colour filament nettings are often used in gillnets. However, the effect of gillnet colour on catch efficiency is unclear for most fisheries. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effect of gillnet colour on the catch efficiency in pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis) fishery in Vembanad lake, India. Gillnet colours tested were transparent, green and blue. Results showed that in this fishery, the catch efficiency of gillnets of the three colours tested differed significantly. The highest catch efficiency of pearlspot was shown by green gillnets compared to transparent or blue netting. Specifically, green gillnets on average were estimated to be 74% more efficient compared to transparent gillnets. For the green compared to the blue gillnets, the catch efficiency was estimated to be higher by 81%. These results demonstrate that gillnet colour can be an important factor significantly affecting the catch efficiency of this fishing gear.

Effects of Four Photo-Selective Colored Hail Nets on an Apple in Loess Plateau, China

Hail, known as an agricultural meteorological disaster, can substantially constrain the growth of the apple industry. Presently, apple orchards use a variety of colored (photo-selective) hail nets as a preventative measure. However, it is unclear which color proves most effective for apple orchards. This study provides a systematic investigation of the impact of four photo-selective colored hail nets (white, blue, black, and green; with white being the control) on the microenvironment of apple orchards, fruit tree development, fruit quality, and yield over a two-year period (2020–2021). Different photo-selective nets do not evidently alter the intensity of light, although the nets’ shading effects decrease in the order from black to green to blue. Among them, blue nets increased the proportion of blue light, while green nets enhanced the proportion of green light. On the other hand, black, green, and blue nets diminished the proportion of red and far-red light. Such photo-selective nets effectively lowered soil temperature but did not have an impact on relative humidity and air temperature. Encasing apple trees with blue nets promoted growth, increasing shoot length, thickness, leaf area, and water content, while simultaneously decreasing leaf thickness. Black nets had comparable effects, although the impacts of green nets were inconsistent. Different photo-selective nets did not significantly influence the leaf shape index or overall chlorophyll content. However, black and green nets reduced the chlorophyll a/b ratio, while blue nets slightly boosted this ratio. Additionally, blue nets proved beneficial for apple trees’ photosynthesis. With the employment of a principal component analysis and comprehensive evaluation, this study concludes that blue nets offer the most favorable environmental conditions for apple growth while protecting apple orchards against hail, compared to black, white, and green nets.

Photoconverting nets affect plant growth and levels of antiviral glucoevatromonoside and total cardenolides in Digitalis mariana ssp. heywoodii (P. Silva and M. Silva) Hinz

Digitalis mariana ssp. heywoodii (P. Silva & M. Silva) Hinz is an important source of bioactive cardenolides, including the promising antiviral agent glucoevatromonoside (GEV). The influence of light on the contents of total cardenolides has been demonstrated for different species of Digitalis. This study evaluated the influence of light spectral quality on the vegetative growth and levels of photosynthetic pigments, total proteins, total cardenolides, and GEV in D. mariana ssp. heywoodii. The process of extraction and quantification of GEV was established using an analytical quality by design (AQbD) approach, applying experimental design and analytical validation. Seedlings were grown for 120 days under photoconverting nets with 50% shading in blue, red, and black colours and under full sun. The use of blue net, followed by red net, resulted in the highest contents of GEV, total cardenolides, proteins, photosynthetic pigments and dry matter in the plants, along with highest root length and leaf area. The advantage of using blue nets over full sun for cultivating D. mariana ssp. heywoodii, herein demonstrated, aggregates new information on the management of this subspecies and corroborates previous data reported for other Digitalis species.

Regeneration of Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed resulting from the transformation of the PaCs gene (Citrate Synthase) to increase resistance to environmental congestion in floating net cages in Pangkep water

The PaCs (Citrate Synthase) gene of the seaweed K. alvarezii has effectively undergone in vitro transformation. To improve the survival of the transformation of the Citrate Synthase seaweed gene, it is carried out: (1) Regeneration of the results of transformation in culture chamber in the laboratory; (2) Acclimatization in green net (MS 100 μm) size 50x50x50 cm, density 200 explants maintained for 2 weeks, transferred to the blue net with a size of 50x50x50 cm (MS 200 μm) density 200 explants maintained for 4 weeks, then maintenance by the longline method using a double rope with a distance of 15 Cm on floating net cages. At intervals of two weeks, measurements of size, length, and water quality are made. Analysis of PaCs gene integration with PCR using Primary PaCS-F and PaCS-R. The results showed that the long DGR in the culture chamber was 0.11% to 0.18%/day, weight growth rate 0.62-1.30%/day, Acclimatization on green nets indicates a long growth rate of 2.28-2.3%/day, weight grow rate of 0.62 to 1.3% / day, and on blue nets, increases long grow rate 3-5%/day and weight 1.15-2.18%/day. Seaweed enlargement using the longline method shows a long growth rate of 5.3-9%/day and weight growth range from 1,23-3.2%/day. The band was located in the CaMV 35S vector at a place corresponding to the 1630 bp PaCS-F and PaCS-R promoter segments, according to the results of the integration of the Citrate Synthase gene in seaweed. Based on these findings, the seaweed K. alvarezii has successfully received the PaCS gene insertion.

Effects of photo-selective nets and air humidity coupling on tomato resistance to Botrytis cinerea

Light quality and air humidity play a vital role in plant-pathogen interactions, which profoundly affect the occurrence of crop disease. However, the effect of light quality and air humidity coupling on the interactions between tomato and Botrytis cinerea remains unclear. In this study, 2 humidity levels and 3 colors of photo-selective nets were used to determine the infection process of B. cinerea and the response of plants to pathogen infection. Results showed that low air humidity inhibited the mycelial growth of B. cinerea, and red and blue nets could effectively delay the formation time of pathogen infection structure and reduce the disease incidence. Under high humidity, the reduction of net photosynthetic rate of infected plants was caused by non-stomatal restriction, whereas the changes in light quality by red net reduced the damage of pathogen to tomato photosynthetic structure and improved the photosynthetic capacity of tomatoes. Low air humidity and red net coupling (LR) treatment slowed down the decline of Fv/Fm, ΦPSⅡ and qP; inhibited the increase of malonaldehyde and reactive oxygen contents; increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes in tomato plants; and promoted the quality and yield of fruits. The LR treatment inhibited the infection process of B. cinerea, alleviated the disease severity, improved the photosynthetic and antioxidant capacities, and maintained the fruit quality and yield of tomatoes.

Acclimatization of transformed seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii carrying lysozyme gene in culture flask and the cultivation in floating net cage in Pangkep coastal

The in vitro transformation of the lysozyme gene in seaweed K. alvarezii has been successfully executed to increase the viability against ice-ice disease. There were two major stages in this research; (1) transformation of lysozyme gene in seaweed K. alvarezii which was carried out on laboratory scale and the cultivation of gene-transformed explants in the culture flask stored in “culture chamber”; (2) the acclimatization in floating net cages of green nets (mesh size of 1 mm) with cage size of 50 x 50 x 50 cm, the population density of 200 explants and cultivated for two weeks. The explants were then transferred to blue nets (mesh size of 2 mm) with a cage size of 50 x 50 x 50 cm for four weeks of rearing. The plants were then enlarged using a long-line method in the floating net cage, by tying the seaweed using a double line with a gap of 15 cm each. The measurement of weight, bud lengths, and water quality was carried out within 2 weeks. The result shows that the daily growth rate of the transformed seaweed during the regeneration stage in the culture flask was around 0.33-0.4%/day, meanwhile during the acclimatization stage in the green nets the was 0.65-1.6%/day, and even more, increased during the acclimatization stage in the blue nets with DGR of 2.28-2.3%/day. During the enlargement stage in the floating net cages, the lysozyme-transformed seaweed showed an even higher DGR with a value of 3.2-8.2%/day. The results of the integration of the lysozyme gene in seaweed were indicated by the presence of a 670 bp of amplification products, that is the same total length of the 35 S-F promoter fragments and Nos T-R in the expression vector. Based on these results, the lysozyme gene was successfully transformed in K. alvarezii seaweed.

Efficiency of Basil Essential Oil Antimicrobial Agents under Different Shading Treatments and Harvest Times

The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of essential oils obtained from sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L. cv. ‘Genovese’) cultivated in the open field under different shading conditions (red, blue, and pearl nets with a shade index of 50% and full sunlight exposure (control plants)), harvested at different times. The antimicrobial activity of basil essential oils (BEOs) obtained from all samples was determined for four microorganisms, while determinations for an additional five microorganisms included samples from non-shaded plants, plants grown under red and pearl nets, and second harvest of plants grown under blue net. Basil essential oil exhibited antimicrobial activity surpassing the activity of relevant commercial antibiotics regardless of growing conditions in the case of B. cereus, K. pneumoniae and C. albicans, while superior antimicrobial activity was exhibited in the case of essential oils from plants grown under blue nets in the case of S. aureus, E. coli and P. vulgaris. The influence of the application of colored shading nets was highly significant (p < 0.01) in the cases of all analyzed microorganisms except C. albicans and P. aeruginosa, while the influence of harvest time was proven in the cases of all microorganisms except K. pneumoniae. ANOVA proved that antimicrobial activities are highly dependent on the methods of plant production, shading treatment, and harvest time. Obtained results are discussed in relation to previously determined composition and yield of essential oils from basil grown under shade nets and harvested in different periods.

Red and Blue Netting Alters Leaf Morphological and Physiological Characteristics in Apple Trees.

There is little information about the role of red and blue light on leaf morphology and physiology in fruit trees, and more studies have been developed in herbaceous plants grown under controlled light conditions. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of red and blue screens on morpho-anatomy and gas exchange in apple leaves grown under ambient sunlight conditions. Apple trees cv. Fuji were covered by 40% red and blue nets, leaving trees with 20% white net as control. Light relations (photosynthetic photon flux density, PPFD; red to far-red light ratio, R/FR and blue to red light ratio, B/R), morpho-anatomical features of the leaf (palisade to spongy mesophyll ratio, P/S, and stomata density, SD) and leaf gas exchange (net photosynthesis rate, An; stomatal conductance, gs; transpiration rate, E; and intrinsic water use efficiency, IWUE) were evaluated. Red and blue nets reduced 27% PPFD, reducing by 20% SD and 25% P/S compared to control, but without negative effects on An and gs. Blue net increased gs 21%, leading to the highest E and lowest IWUE by increment of B/R light proportion. These findings demonstrate the potential use of red and blue nets for differential modulation of apple leaf gas exchange through sunlight management under field conditions.

The Influence of Photo-selective Netting on Tree Physiology and Fruit Quality of Fig (Ficus carica L.) Under Rain-fed Conditions

ABSTRACT Covering fig trees with color nets changed the quality of light that reach trees. This study was carried out to assess the effects of shade provided by blue and yellow protection nets on leaf attributes and fruit quality of fig trees under rain-fed conditions. The experiment lasted for three months and was a split-plot treatment arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. ‘Sabz’ and ‘Siah’ fig trees were covered with color nets or left uncovered (as the control group). The results showed that yellow nets reduced the net photosynthetic activity by 15.86 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1, but increased leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid content in both cultivars. Leaf temperature decreased in both cultivars when covered with yellow nets. The shade provided by blue nets increased stomatal conductance in the leaves of ‘Sabz’ fig trees. When covered with yellow shade nets, ‘Sabz’ fig trees had the highest relative water content and the lowest ion leakage in both cultivars. The color nets reduced dry fruit diameter in ‘Sabz’ figs and reduced total soluble solids in both cultivars. Also, titratable acidity decreased in fruits as a result of using yellow nets on both cultivars. Yellow nets increased antioxidant activity and anthocyanin content in fruits of the ‘Siah’ cultivar significantly, as compared with the ‘Sabz’ cultivar. The photo-selective, light-dispersive shade nets proved to be interesting tools that can reduce drought stress on trees under rain-fed conditions.

Photoselective Protective Netting Improves "Honeycrisp" Fruit Quality.

High temperatures, wind, and excessive sunlight can negatively impact yield and fruit quality in semi-arid apple production regions. Netting was originally designed for hail protection, but it can modify the light spectrum and affect fruit quality. Here, pearl, blue, and red photoselective netting (≈20% shading factor) was installed in 2015 over a commercial “Cameron Select® Honeycrisp” orchard. Our research objectives were to (1) describe the light quantity and quality under the colored nets compared to an uncovered control and (2) investigate the effect of Photoselective nets on “Honeycrisp” apple quality for two growing seasons. Light transmittance and scattering for each treatment were measured with a spectroradiometer, and samples for fruit quality analyses were collected at harvest. PAR (photosynthetic active radiation), UV, blue, red, and far-red light were lower underneath all netting treatments compared to an uncovered control. The scattered light was higher under the pearl net compared to other colors, while red and far-red light were lower under the blue net. For two consecutive years, trees grown under the photoselective nets intercepted more incoming light than the uncovered trees with no differences among the three colors. In both years, trees under red and blue nets had more sunburn-free (clean) apples than pearl and control. Red color development for fruit was lower when nets were used. Interestingly, bitter pit incidence was lower underneath red nets for both years. Other than red color development, “Honeycrisp” fruit quality was not appreciably affected by the use of netting. These results highlight the beneficial effect of nets in improving light quality in orchards and mitigating physiological disorders such as bitter pit in “Honeycrisp” apple.

Impact of red and blue nets on physiological and morphological traits, fruit yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.)

Plants can detect the quality, quantity and direction of light and use it as a signal to adapt their morphogenesis and growth. Thus depending on their light transmission, coloured nets used to protect plants from pests and limit irradiance can also impact plant growth and production. Tomato plants have been grown under blue or red nets transmitting similar photosynthetic yield from transplanting until the end of the fruit harvest to determine the importance of the light spectrum on plant growth, reproductive characteristics and fruit chemical composition. The morphological traits, organ physiology and fruit composition were strongly influenced by net colour. Plants under the red net were taller with a greater leaf area and a shoot to root ratio. An increased blue to red ratio slightly enhanced the reproductive development (visible bud development and 1st flowering) of tomato plants. An increased red to blue ratio enhanced the tomato glucose (17 %) and fructose (6 %) contents, while the citric (5 %) and malic acids (4 %) contents decreased, triggering a higher sugar/acid ratio. A high blue to red light limited organ growth and plant light interception was reduced despite a higher photosynthetic yield and a slight enhancement of the organ appearance rate. In addition, a low blue to red light increased fruit weight at harvest and even if it did not significantly improve fruit yield, it favoured fruit quality as it enhanced the tomato sugar/acid ratio.

Sunlight transmitted by colored shade nets on photosynthesis and yield of cucumber

ABSTRACT: Black shading nets are widely used in the protected cultivation of vegetables as a technique for controlling light and temperature, while the colored shading nets, with special optical properties to improve the use of solar radiation, appeared recently in the agricultural plastics market. Light quality transmitted by gray, aluminized, pearl, blue, red and black (control) nets with 30% shade was evaluated, as well as its effects on photosynthetic properties and fruits production of cucumber plants. Treatments (shade nets) were established under a randomized complete block design with four repetitions. The red net transmitted 23.7 and 40.3% more photosynthetic photon flux density (400 to 700nm) and red light (600 to 700nm) and the blue net transmitted 36% more blue light (400 to 500nm) in comparison with the respective transmissions of black net. All nets increased the photosynthetic responses: transpiration, stomatal conductance and CO2 assimilation, observed in plants grown under black net. Leaf greenness (41.6 SPAD units) and foliar area (90dm2) increased 22.8 and 38.9% with the red net, while the dry weight of leaf (52.5g) increased 21.9% with pearl net. Pearl, red, aluminized and blue nets showed to be viable alternatives because the production of fruit increased in 71, 48, 46 and 46%, respectively, in comparison with the conventional black net (52t ha-1).

Fruit quality and yield of ‘Imperial Gala’ apple trees protected by anti-hail nets of different colorations in southern Brazil

Covering apple orchards with nets to protect from hailstorms changes the amount and quality of the light supplied to the trees. This study was carried out to assess the effects of shading provided by protection nets with different colorations on fruit quality and yield of apple trees in southern Brazil, along four growing seasons. 'Imperial Gala' apple trees (on M7 rootstock, raised as slender spindles, with a spacing of 5×2 m) were left uncovered (control) or covered with crystal (transparent), white, red, blue or black nets (all nets with mesh size of 4.0×7.0 mm). The black net caused the more substantial reduction of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; λ=400-700 nm) accumulated over the trees' canopy along the day (21.0%) in comparison to the uncovered area, followed by blue (18.9%), white (18.4%), red (14.8%) and crystal (14.4%) nets. The black net reduced skin red color, soluble solids content and weight of the fruit at harvest in comparison to uncovered trees. Flesh firmness, severity of russet, density and number of seeds/fruit were not affected by covering the orchards with different nets. Crystal net increased fruit weight and red net increased the number of fruit on the tree in comparison to the control (uncovered trees). The results show that covering the orchard with crystal and red nets increases fruit yield without detrimental effects on fruit quality attributes (color and maturity) at harvest of 'Imperial Gala' apple trees cultivated in southern Brazil.

Productive and qualitative parameters of four Physalis species cultivated under colored shade nets

Abstract The genus Physalis L. has great importance in the framework of Brazilian biodiversity especially in the Amazon region. The use of colored shading nets allow manipulating the light spectrum, and thus supplying the appropriate quantity and quality of light for each species and maximizing production. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of shade nets on fruit production and qualitative parameters of four species belonging to genus Physalis. The experimental design was random blocks with a 4 x 5 factorial scheme, four species of Physalis (P. peruviana, P. pubescens, P. minima and P. ixocarpa) and four colors of shade nets (white, blue, red and black), besides the control treatment under full sun exposure. Fruits were collected weekly and evaluated for longitudinal and transversal diameter and biomass with and without a calyx. Finally the percentage of calyx biomass compared to the total fruit biomass, number of fruits per plant and production were determined. A differentiated response was found among the species regarding the coloring of the converter shade nets. Plants of P. peruviana had the best productive and qualitative parameters of fruits when cultivated in full sunlight or under white shade nets, P. pubescens and P. minima when cultivated in full sunlight or under white and blue shade nets, and P. ixocarpa under red or black shade nets.

Growing ‘Hass’ avocado fruit under different coloured shade netting improves the marketable yield and affects fruit ripening

Abstract Sunburn damage due to excessive solar radiation is one of the major problems affecting the avocado fruit production. Shade netting has been introduced so that growers can cover their orchards with the nets to protect their trees/fruit. However, little is known on the effect of different coloured shade netting on avocado fruit quality. Thus, the influence of blue, red and white photo selective netting on marketable yield, physicochemical characteristics and incidence of anthracnose in ‘Hass’ avocado fruit was investigated. Blue and white netting improved the marketable yield, and accelerated fruit ripening after 28 d cold storage at 5.5 °C followed by 5 d at shelf-life conditions. Ripening, as indicated by fruit softening, correlated well with the content of d -mannoheptulose. The concentration of α–tocopherol, oleic acid and phenolic acids was also affected by growing conditions, due to different coloured shade netting being used. However, incidence of anthracnose was reduced on the 5th d at shelf-life conditions due to delayed ripening, higher phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity, and epicatechin content in the pericarp. White and blue netting appear to be a suitable pre-harvest tool to improve the marketable yield.

Above and below-ground environmental changes associated with the use of photoselective protective netting to reduce sunburn in apple

Anti-hail (protective) netting was originally developed to protect horticultural crops from hail damage. Netting reduces the amount and modifies the light reaching the orchard canopy. It also has the potential to optimize conditions for canopy and fruit growth and mitigate abiotic stress as climate change leads to increased temperatures. This study measured the effect of different colors of netting on the above and below-ground environment and apple sunburn incidence in a 3-year-old ‘Honeycrisp’ apple orchard growing in an irrigated desert climate in comparison to a traditional uncovered control. Netting did not affect air temperature or relative humidity within the orchard canopy, but reduced wind speed by 40% compared to the uncovered control. Netting reduced soil temperature and improved soil moisture at 20 and 40cm depths throughout the study period compared to the uncovered control. Amongst different colors of netting tested in this study, pearl and blue netting significantly reduced soil temperature compared to red netting. Netting also reduced photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) by approximately 20% and strongly reduced fruit surface temperature during hot periods. During full sunlight, differences in maximum fruit surface temperature between the uncovered control and the protective netting were 2.6–4.3°C under full sun conditions and reduced the incidence and severity of sunburn measured at harvest. As temperatures warm in the future, netting provides a viable option to mitigate some of the negative effects of excessive temperature and light on apple production in hot, dry growing regions.

Initial growth of Costus longebracteolatus and Costus spiralis ‘French Kiss’ under different light conditions

The Brazilian native Costus longebracteolatus and Costus spiralis ‘French Kiss’, in the family Costaceae, have been used as both cut flowers and cut foliage. It is known that Costus species grow better under partial shade, but studies on the influence of shading or light on plant growth, development, and flower production are still incipient. As this kind of information is essential on planning of planting, production, and agribusiness activities, the objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of different colored shade nets and light conditions on the initial growth of both C. longebracteolatus and C. spiralis ‘French Kiss’. Plants, obtained from cuttings of pseudostems, were cultivated under six light conditions, which comprised six treatments, along 270 days: red net with 50% shading, blue net with 50% shading, black net with 70% shading, black net with 50% shading, black net with 30% shading, and full sun. The initial growth of C. longebracteolatus (up to 270 days) is more successful under the blue net with 50% shading, which promoted highest values of pseudostem length and dry matter of aerial part. For C. spiralis ‘French Kiss’ plants, both the red and blue nets with 50% shading implied best results and differed for the other treatments with greater pseudostem length. Plant exposure to full sun inhibited growth and development, and favored early leaf necrosis.

Photosynthetic behavior, growth and essential oil production of Melissa officinalis L. cultivated under colored shade nets

The modulation of light is of importance during cultivation of medicinal plants to obtain desirable morphological and physiological changes associated with the maximum production of active principles. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the light spectrum transmitted by colored shade nets on growth, essential oil production and photosynthetic behavior in plants of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) Plants were cultivated in pots for 4-mo under black, red, and blue nets with 50% shading, and full sunlight exposure. Biometric and anatomical variables, essential oil yield, global solar radiation, photon flux density, chlorophyll content, and gas exchange parameters were measured in M. officinalis leaves. The results showed that despite being considered a partial shade plant, this species is able to adapt to full sunlight conditions without increasing biomass production. The spectral changes provided by colored shade nets did not caused any noticeable change in leaf anatomy of M. officinalis . However, the use of blue net resulted in increments of 116% in plant height, 168% in leaf area, 42% in chlorophyll content and 30% in yield of essential oil in lemon balm plants. These plant’s qualities make the use of blue net a cultivation practice suitable for commercial use.

<b>Growth and photosynthetic responses during <i>ex vitro</i> acclimatization of <i>Etlingera elatior</i> (Jack) rm smith (torch ginger)

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior (Jack) RM Smith) can be propagated in vitro, but there is currently little information about the stages of acclimatization and adaptation for torch ginger in a greenhouse. The objective was to study the growth responses, survival and photosynthetic response during the acclimatization of plants maintained on three different substrates (Plantmax forestry ® , sand and 1:1 Plantmax forestry ® and sand) under three shading conditions (50% red and blue shading nets and control without shading nets). The highest leaf and shoot numbers per plant and survival rate were observed in treatments with the Plantmax forestry ® type substrate in the absence of shading. In vitro culture plants behaved similarly or better than rhizome propagated control plants with regard to the net photosynthesis rate, carboxylation efficiency, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. In general, for both conditions, in vitro and control plants had similar efficiency of biochemical functions and of photosystem II. These results show that plants derived from in vitro culture exhibit satisfactory physiological yield and greenhouse acclimation capacity.

Cultivo de tamarindo sob malhas coloridas: plasticidade anatômica foliar

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da alteração da qualidade espectral da luz, utilizando malhas de transmissão de luz diferenciada, sobre características da anatomia foliar em plantas de tamarindo (Tamarindus indica L.), visando à obtenção de plantas mais propícias ao plantio. Mudas de tamarindo foram cultivadas sob malhas de 50% de sombreamento nas cores branca, azul, vermelha e preta em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Após 90 dias de cultivo sob as malhas, as folhas foram avaliadas quanto à anatomia e micromorfologia. Plantas submetidas ao cultivo sob malha branca apresentaram maior altura das células da epiderme na face abaxial e maior espessura do parênquima paliçádico e da nervura central. Melhores resultados para epiderme na face adaxial e limbo foliar foram observados sob malhas branca e azul. Maiores densidades estomáticas foram obtidas sob malhas azul e vermelha. As folhas de Tamarindus indica apresentam plasticidade anatômica em resposta às modificações no espectro da radiação. Em face desses resultados, as malhas branca e azul podem ser recomendadas para obtenção de plantas mais propícias ao plantio.