Apples that get more direct sunlight on the tree are far more likely to develop sunscald, a dark peel disorder that makes them unsellable, and scientists found a simple non-destructive light-based measurement at harvest can predict which apples are at risk before symptoms even appear.
1
A nondestructive chlorophyll-to-carotenoid ratio measurement at harvest strongly predicted sunscald risk categories (high, moderate, low, very low) tied to canopy sun exposure.
2
After six months of storage, sunscald caused an 11% total fruit loss, translating to an estimated 10% revenue decrease for growers and packers.
3
Sun-exposed apples had higher soluble solids, lower acidity, and more variable ripening, while their peels accumulated photoprotective flavonol glycosides, xanthophylls, and stress-signaling lipids like ceramides.
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