A fabric developed from work on protective clothing is being put to work over strawberries. North Carolina State University researchers tested Plant Armor, a porous, three-dimensional cover that lets light, rain and air reach plants while creating a barrier against insects.
In tunnel field tests, covered plants produced up to 3.56 times as much harvestable fruit as uncovered plants. The researchers now call for on-farm tests across more crops and locations. Reduced pesticide and water use remain potential benefits, not savings established by that harvest figure.