How to avoid apple sunscald/sunburn
Sunscald or sunburn in apples accounts for yellow or flushed areas on the fruit skin due to direct sun damage often following a period of cooler, cloudy weather. It is often associated with poor calcium content in the fruit. A balanced crop nutrition can help avoid sunburns. In severe instances, the scald damage turns dark while the fruit is still on the tree, with the underlying tissue becoming spongy.
Potassium reduces incidence of sunburn
A higher concentration of potassium in apples reduces the incidence of sunburn/sunscald. However, potassium needs to be in balance with calcium, as these two nutrients compete with each other and can lead to poor calcium content in fruits, resulting in storage problems and other disorders related to calcium deficiency.
Calcium makes cells less liable to damage
By improving calcium content in the skin and pulp, cells are less liable to damage and subsequent breakdown, thereby avoiding sunscald damage in apples.
Recommended fertilisers for apples
Related articles
How to improve apple skin colour
Colour of the skin is a very appealing apple quality to consumers. Therefore, growers generally seek to improve fruit colouration. Crop nutrition can help to achieve the desired appearance.
How to minimise apple rots and storage diseases
Many disease-causing pathogens attack apple trees often leading to rotten fruit and storage rots. A balanced crop nutrition programme leads to a more robust, healthier tree more able to resist infection.
How to reduce bitter pit in apples
A balanced crop nutrition is essential for the management of bitter pit. Bitter pit is a physiological disorder associated with low levels of calcium in the apple tissue, which reduces apple quality and marketability.
Identify and diagnose apple nutrient deficiencies
Identify and diagnose if your apple trees are suffering from nutrient deficiencies and learn more about the symptoms and causes and how to control or correct the deficiency
Looking for even more information ...
If you would like more information and would like to speak to a fruit specialist or one of our area managers or agronomists please find all their contact details here.
Contact your local Yara area manager or agronomist
Where can I buy Yara fertiliser ...
If you would like to find your nearest Yara supplier or merchant simply use this searchable map with all their contact details here.
