You don’t have to tolerate white apple trees to reduce sunburn on your fruit.
Now there is Raynox which is easy to handle, easy to apply and does not leave a heavy residue on fruit.
Raynox differs from particle film based anti-sunburn products by being made from carnauba wax which is able to filter out over half of the damaging ultraviolet–B (UVB) rays that cause sunburn, as well as reflecting some of the other solar radiation.
Developed at Washington State University
Raynox was developed at Washington State University and widely used in Washington State in 2004, only one year after introduction to the market.
Australian trials confirm US & Chile results
In Australia, Colin Campbell Chemicals carried out trials in major apple growing areas in 2004–2005. These trials confirmed the US and Chile results, and led to commercial introduction in November 2005.
Raynox is now one of the most used sunburn protection product world-wide.
Because of the nature of the film, Raynox:
- is not washed off by rain so does not need reapplication after rain
- binds to natural waxes on trees and fruit
- does not leave a visible residue, allowing growers to colour pick
- does not block the visible sunlight that stimulates colour development and fruit size
- does not encourage mite flares
- does not have negative effects on beneficial insects
- Does not cause irritation to orchard workers
- Does not require aggressive cleaning on the packing line to eliminate residues.
Trials and grower experience in Australia show Raynox is effective on the varieties most susceptible to sunburn: Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith.
Application
Raynox should be applied before conditions that cause sunburn are likely to occur.
The Australian experience indicates that sunburn causing conditions usually commence around the second half of November for apples.
Rainfast
Being rainfast, Raynox is an ideal product to use in conjunction with evaporative cooling methods of sunburn reduction.
No sunburn treatment can totally eliminate sunburn, but orchardists around the world are demonstrating to themselves that Raynox is the treatment that gives them maximum sunburn reduction without the disadvantages.
To find out more on Raynox and sunburn please contact Colin Campbell (Chemicals) Pty Ltd
phone 02 9725 2544 www.campbellchemicals.com.au
For more information, see Tree Fruit Dec 2014
