The primary function of hail-proof nets is to prevent hail disasters in agricultural cultivation, while simultaneously safeguarding crops from the impacts of external factors such as rainwater, dust, and pests. Hail-proof nets are made primarily from polyethylene, a material that incorporates chemical additives for anti-aging and UV resistance, and are manufactured through a drawing process into a net-like fabric. They possess numerous advantages, including high tensile strength, heat resistance, water resistance, corrosion resistance, aging resistance, non-toxicity, odorlessness, and ease of waste disposal. The key roles of hail-proof nets encompass:

• Hail Prevention: This is the primary purpose of hail-proof nets. Hail can inflict devastating damage on crops, particularly during the initial flowering stage, fruit development, and fruit enlargement periods of apples. Hail-proof nets effectively block hailstones of various sizes, safeguarding crops from harm.

• Wind Resistance: In addition to hail protection, hail-proof nets can also mitigate the damage caused by strong winds to crops, reducing the likelihood of crops being blown down or broken.

• Bird Control: The design of hail-proof nets also deters birds from accessing crops, minimizing the damage caused by bird pecking.

• Insect Prevention: Some advanced hail-proof net designs can also prevent pests from contacting crops, reducing pest-inflicted damage.

• Sunburn Protection: In regions with intense sunlight, hail-proof nets can block excessive sunlight, preventing crops from sunburn damage.

Furthermore, the installation and use of hail-proof nets enhance the resilience of orchards against natural disasters, improving crop yields and quality, thereby increasing farmers' incomes. In some regions, governments offer subsidies to encourage farmers to install hail-proof nets, further alleviating the economic burden on fruit farmers.