Heat and light stress are economically important problems in agricultural production.
Even in temperate regions, wide fluctuations in temperature and light intensity can lead to significant damage to plant tissues.
Heat and light stress cause losses by reducing plant productivity and direct damage to fruit by sunburn and photo-oxidation.
Water stress is complex and is intricately involved with heat and light stress.
When soil moisture is limiting, a plant’s ability to cool itself through transpiration is impaired. Stomata are closed and leaf temperature increases. This leads to photo-inhibition, a build-up of free radicals (oxidants) and ultimately to tissue destruction and cell death i.e. the symptoms of heat and light stress damage.
SunCrops reduces canopy temperature, reducing heat, light and water stress.
Other benefits include improved colour and reduced russet, fruit drop, sunburn and cracking.
The best results are obtained from a season–long treatment program, although using Suncrops for late season sunburn management can help protect fruit from sunburn and heat damage.
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For more information, see Tree Fruit November 2013
