The innovative greenhouse application helps lower indoor temperatures, protect beneficial root biology, and offers a climate-adaptation solution for modern nursery production.

Researchers at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) have introduced an innovative drone-based shading system to protect truffle-inoculated hazelnut and oak seedlings from extreme summer temperatures. By applying a specialized shading gel to the roof of a greenhouse using an agricultural drone, the research team aims to create more favorable growing conditions while safeguarding the biological processes essential for successful truffle cultivation.

The application is being implemented in a fully automated greenhouse established on OMU's Kurupelit Campus as part of the "Development and Expansion of Truffle Cultivation in Hazelnut Orchards in DOKAP Provinces" project, supported by the Eastern Black Sea Project Regional Development Administration (DOKAP).

Protecting Seedlings and Their Root Microbiology

According to Prof. Dr. Aysun Pekşen of the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, who leads the project, maintaining appropriate greenhouse temperature and humidity is critical for the healthy development of truffle-inoculated seedlings.

She explained that excessive summer temperatures not only hinder the growth of young plants but also reduce mycorrhizal development and biological activity in the root zone, both essential for establishing the symbiotic relationship between truffles and their host trees.

"We applied a specialized shading gel to the greenhouse roof using an agricultural drone. Our measurements showed that the protective coating effectively reduced the greenhouse's internal temperature while preserving the biological activity around the seedling roots."

An Innovative Approach to Climate-Resilient Greenhouse Management

Prof. Dr. Kürşat Demiryürek of OMU's Department of Agricultural Economics described the application as an important innovation for regional agriculture and climate-adaptive greenhouse management.

He noted that the drone-based method significantly reduces labor requirements and eliminates many of the safety risks associated with installing conventional shading systems at height. Following its successful implementation in Samsun, he expects the technology to be adopted by other modern greenhouses across the Black Sea Region, particularly in the Bafra Greenhouse Specialized Organized Industrial Zone.

Faster, Safer, and More Efficient Application

Drone pilot Bekir Güzel, who carried out the application, explained that the technology dramatically shortens installation time compared with traditional methods.

"Instead of spending several days installing shade nets, we completed the process quickly using drone technology. After successfully applying this method in modern greenhouses across the Mediterranean Region, we have now introduced it to Samsun, providing greenhouse growers with greater operational efficiency while reducing labor costs."

The project demonstrates how precision agriculture and drone technology can contribute to more sustainable greenhouse management, helping producers adapt to increasingly challenging climate conditions while supporting the production of high-value truffle-inoculated seedlings.