ARS | Publication request: EFFECT OF A REFLECTIVE, PROCESSED-KAOLIN PARTICLE FILM ON FRUIT TEMPERATURE, RADIATION REFLECTION OF A SOLAR INJURY APPLE

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 25, 2001
Publication Date: February 1, 2002
Citation: Glenn, D.M., Prado, E., Erez, A., Mcferson, J., Puterka, G.J. 2002. Effect of a reflective, processed-kaolin particle film on fruit temperature, radiation reflection of a solar injury apple. Journal of American Society of HortScience. 127:1-6

Interpretive Summary: Excessive heat and solar radiation cause sunburn on apple fruits and the sunburn-damaged fruit must be culled from the harvest, reducing yield and net return. A reflective, processed-kaolin, particle film material was applied to apples in Chile and the USA to evaluate the potential of this material to reduce sunburn damage. The application of the reflective, processed-kaolin, particle film material, commercially produced as 'Surround WP Crop Protectant', reduced fruit temperature and also reduced sunburn damage in commercial orchards. The use of 'Surround WP Crop Protectant' provides a new tool to moderate the damaging effects of high temperature and high solar radiation in crop production.

Technical Abstract: Particle film technology is a new tool for tree fruit production systems. Trials were performed in Santiago, Chile and Washington and West Virginia, USA to evaluate the effect of particle film treatments on apple [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. var. domestica (Borkh) Manst.] fruit temperature and solar injury incidence. Fruit surface temperature was reduced by the application of reflective particles and the amount of temperature reduction was proportional to the amount of particle residue on the fruit surface. Effective solar injury suppression was achieved with spray applications of 45 to 56 kg/ha of a reflective, processed-kaolin particle film material in concentrations ranging from 3% to 12%. The timing of application to suppress solar injury was not clearly defined. The processed-kaolin particle film material was highly reflective to the UV radiation and this characteristic may be important in reducing solar injury to both fruit and leaves.