Sunburn

Sunburn in the fruit-growing sense is the damage caused to fruit surfaces by excessive solar radiation and heat, producing bleached, necrotic patches that downgrade appearance and invite decay. It has various effects on the composition and quality of fruits: damaged tissue loses firmness, develops off-flavours, and becomes entry points for pathogens. Orchard management counters it with canopy training, evaporative cooling, reflective particle films, and protective netting. As summers grow hotter, sunburn is an increasing economic threat to apple, citrus, and other fruit industries worldwide.