Citrus greenhouse cultivation shows success in France

In the Drôme department of France, arborist Anthony Oboussier has found that citrus fruit production is highly effective when using greenhouse cultivation. After two years of observation, the citrus trees grown in greenhouses have grown twice as fast as those planted in open fields.

To manage summer heatwaves, Oboussier implemented a foliar irrigation system that helped lower greenhouse temperatures by eight degrees during cycles. Additionally, solar panels provided shade that protected the trees from sunscald. While clementine trees are currently producing less fruit, pomelo and orange trees are showing strong potential with excellent fruit size and encouraging yields.

In contrast, the trial with avocado trees has proven more difficult. Open-field avocado plantations faced significant challenges, including mortality caused by temperatures dropping to -5 °C during early-year frosts.