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SunCal

SUNBURN- AN EVER INCREASING PROBLEM
Ripening fruit is extremely susceptible to sun-burn damage. In hotter countries an estimated 20 - 40% of produce in orchards and fields may be damaged as a result of sunburn, and the problem continues to rise with global warming.

SunCal produces a thin film layer which reflects a proportion of the incident sunlight. Growers can reduce sunburn damage, reduce product losses and increase returns, SunCal contains nano particles of a food grade calcium carbonate, which is available in an easy to use liquid suspension. SunCal is sprayed directly on the produce throughout the growing season to build a protective coating that blocks the harmful UV light while still allowing fruit colour to develop. At the same time, Nano particles of SunCal penetrate tissues to provide a valuable source of Calcium to the crop.

Features

  1. Liquid formulation is easy to store, mix and spray:
  • Proprietary formulation has built-in stickers and spreaders, will not settle out in the spray tank and thus provides a consistent concentration of product throughout the entire tank.
  • Can be applied by air.
  • Easy to remove pre and/or post harvest with a weak acid (unlike the competition)
  1. Submicron particle size
  • Product stays in suspension during spraying to give a uniform coat of protection on the crop.
  • Less abrasive to equipment than alternative products.
  • Less abrasive to produce due to smaller rounded particles.
  1. Compatibility
  • SunCal is compatible with most other crop protection products.
  1. Enables Natural Coloring
  • Harmful UV rays are blocked but wavelengths needed for natural fruit colouring are not.
  1. Rainfastness
  • Once dry, SunCal is rainfast in up to 40 mm of rain.

Product Specs:

Apperance:

Thick white liquid

Typical Analysis:

Calcium Carbonate (CaO) : 574 g/L

Application rates:

Apples, Citrus, Pears:

The dilute application rate is 1000 to 1500 litres of water. The first application of 25 litres /ha SunCal should be made when the fruit is 2 cm in diameter (or at fruit drop) or earlier if hot weather is likely to cause damage to young fruit. Ensure that the spray nozzles are directed to provide a thorough coverage of the fruit.

Apply a second application at 20 litres per ha. Apply 7 to 14 days after the first application. Subsequent applications at a rate of 20 litres per ha should be applied at two-week intervals or as required to maintain adequate coverage of the fruit.

Mango
Apply the first application before hot weather has begun to damage the fruit using a spray volume of 25 litres per hectare. Ensure that the spray nozzles are directed to provide a thorough coverage of the fruit. Apply a second application at 20 litres per ha or higher if required to maintain an adequate film. Apply 7 to 14 days after the first application. Subsequent applications at a rate of 20 litres per ha should be applied at two-week intervals or as required to maintain adequate coverage of the fruit.

Tomatoes & Capsicums
Apply the first application before hot weather has begun to damage the fruit. Apply at 20 litres per ha for the first application in sufficient water to provide adequate coverage. Subsequent applications of 20 litres per ha should be applied at 7 to 10 day intervals or as soon as possible after picking, if plant foliage has been disturbed. Ensure that the spray nozzles are directed to provide a thorough coverage of the fruit.

Cucurbits
Apply the first application before hot weather has begun to damage the produce. Apply at 20 litres per ha for the first application in sufficient water to provide adequate coverage. Subsequent applications should be applied at 7 to 10 day intervals or as soon as possible after picking if plant foliage has been disturbed and using a rate of 20 litres per ha. Ensure that the spray nozzles are directed to provide a thorough coverage of the produce.

Seedlings
SunCal can be used to protect seedlings from heat stress. Apply in a dose of 10 litres/100 litres of water. Apply the first application before hot weather causes damage to the seedlings. Ensure that the spray nozzles are directed to provide a thorough coverage of the seedling. Additional applications should be applied at 30-day intervals or as often as required to protect the seedling from stress at a rate of 5 litres per 100 litres.

Onions
Exposure to UV light and high temperatures cause to heat stress and sunburn in Onions. This results in damaged product and reduced yield and grower profits. The damaged areas will likely become soft and brown. This damage may also increase the potential of infections of other diseases. SunCal is a proven product to reduce sunburn and heat stress issues in many applications as well as onions. It is recommended to apply at transplant to reduce shock and infant mortality. Apply 10 litre per ha at transplant and then 20 litre per ha at 2 to 3 week intervals or before a major heat event. It is too late to get full protection if damage is visible.