ISHS Acta Horticulturae 702: V International Pineapple Symposium
SURROUND® CROP PROTECTANT – FOR THE REDUCTION OF SUNBURN DAMAGE AND HEAT STRESS IN PINEAPPLE |
| Authors: | D. Bell, R. Ortiz V., C. Scott, N. Phillips |
| Abstract:
Surround® crop protectant was co-developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Engelhard Corporation, the world leader in surface and materials science. Planned applications of Surround on crops provide plant surface protection from heat and sunburn damage by reducing the damaging effects of harmful infrared and ultraviolet radiation. Pineapple plants and fruits are susceptible to damage from solar radiation and high temperatures. Damage to pineapples can result in significant financial losses. Symptoms include external sunburn or bleaching and internal sunburn or “boiling”. Pineapples with external sunburn show a bleached, yellow-white skin that turns pale grey/brown upon damage to the tissue underneath. These damaged areas are susceptible to disease infection. Sunburn is common during hot (> 32°C), periods of the year. Internal sunburn, thought to be the result of high air temperatures, renders the fruit unfit for commercial use. Internal sunburn cannot be detected without cutting open the fruit. Highly translucent fruits appear to be most susceptible to internal sunburn. Replicated trials in Australia, Costa Rica and South Africa show that applications of Surround WP initially applied before heat events significantly reduce the incidence of external and internal sunburn. In addition, in the hot dry conditions of Costa Rica, applications of Surround prevent leaf damage, resulting in a significant yield increase (P>0.05). | |
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