A textile covering developed at North Carolina State University more than tripled strawberry yields in tunnel field trials, according to a study published in Agriculture. The fabric, called Plant Armor, is designed to sit directly over plants, forming a three-dimensional barrier that keeps insects away while still transmitting sunlight, rain, and air.
Researchers had expected the fabric's opaque appearance to trigger shade-avoidance, pushing plants to grow leaves and stems at the expense of fruit. Instead, they found no reduction in light availability and a significant increase in fruit production. The covering also produced a steady warming effect across three growing seasons, helping plants accumulate heat and reach fruiting earlier.
The project began with research on military clothing aimed at making body armor more comfortable and mosquito-resistant. The same textile technology was later adapted for agriculture. Because Plant Armor physically prevents insects from feeding, the researchers say it could reduce conventional pesticide use and potentially lower water needs, though the release notes the water-use benefit as a possibility rather than a measured outcome.