Bringing the harvest forward and supplying the market with cherries of consistent quality, while limiting energy use: this is the aim of the Megatúnel system developed by MSC Invernaderos.
The solution relies on its structure and ventilation management to provide crop protection, with applications that also include berries and hydroponic strawberries.
According to Javier Ayuso Pimentel of MSC Invernaderos, high energy costs have called into question the economic viability of heating to bring forward greenhouse cherry harvests.
The company’s approach therefore focuses on a structure with Gothic arches, designed to protect crops from rain and hail without relying on energy-intensive heating systems.
The Megatúnel reaches a height of five metres, providing space for both crop development and the passage of agricultural machinery. Roof and side openings can be operated manually or through sensors that monitor temperature, wind and rainfall.
The drainage system is designed to direct water away from plants and limit waterlogging. In cherry production, protection from rain is particularly important in reducing the risk of fruit cracking.
The light-diffusing plastic cover also helps distribute light more evenly, reducing shaded areas and promoting uniform fruit development.
According to MSC Invernaderos and its production partner Frutotech, the system has enabled the harvest of early cherry varieties to be brought forward by around 15 days compared with conventional schedules.
Ayuso Pimentel reports positive results in terms of fruit size and quality, even in a year affected by drought.
The reported opening prices range from 15 to 18 euros per kilogram: a figure the company representative highlights alongside the commercial value of presenting defect-free fruit.
In MSC Invernaderos’ view, super-intensive orchards require structural protection appropriate to the level of investment. The experience gained on its own farms therefore forms the basis of the solution offered to other growers.
An earlier harvest and protection against weather events can provide two complementary commercial advantages. Production and financial results nevertheless remain dependent on the variety grown, market conditions and production costs.
MSC Invernaderos is also extending the Megatúnel concept to strawberry hydroponic cultivation. In this application, the structure is presented as a more robust alternative to conventional high tunnels, with rapid ventilation and a fastening system derived from multi-span greenhouses.
For the company, the investment required for hydroponics should be matched by the durability and efficiency of the supporting structure. The plastic cover is also designed for prolonged use, avoiding the need for annual replacement.
The height and Gothic profile encourage warmer air to accumulate above the crop and facilitate light penetration and ventilation.
Together with lower maintenance requirements, these features aim to make growing operations more efficient, particularly where labour availability is a limiting factor.
Headquartered in Seville, with manufacturing facilities in Pamplona and Mexico, MSC Invernaderos has more than 35 years of experience and exports greenhouse structures to over 75 countries. Its specialisms include solutions designed to simplify assembly and keep installation costs down.
Planned developments include a new greenhouse project for cherry production in Tarragona. The source text also announces the presentation of the company’s cherry and berry systems at Fruit Attraction in Madrid, at stand 10E29 in hall 10.
For the cherry sector, the outlook described involves integrating earliness and protection into orchard design.
The value of these solutions will depend on their ability to translate climate management and consistent quality into sustainable financial results for growers.
Source: www.hortidaily.es
Image source: MSC
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