Melon growers constantly battle the sun—especially as the protective foliage begins to decline just before harvest, when melons are most susceptible. Damage caused by heat stress and sunburn can cost growers as much as 30%–50% percent of their crop. With prices ranging from $3.00/carton to as high as $11.00/carton, culled melons discarded to the side of the row quickly cut into a grower’s bottom line.
Get the Purshade Advantage
Purshade—scientifically engineered with Advanced Reflectance Technology™ (ART™)—provides superior solar protection in an easy-to-use liquid formulation. Designed with the grower in mind, Purshade tank mixes, stays in suspension, can be applied with standard sprayers, and removes easily during standard post-harvest processing. Compatible with most products, Purshade is easy to incorporate into an existing spray program.
Sprayed directly onto the plant surface, Purshade forms an even, highly reflective layer of solar protection that scatters 85%–95% of harmful UV radiation to reduce sunburn. Purshade also reflects heat-producing IR radiation, keeping the plant 7°–10° F cooler, which can improve water use, reduce the incidence of heat stress, and enable basic physiological processes to continue in high temperatures when they would normally shut down.
When Purshade is used throughout the season, melon growers can experience:
- Cull reduction, increasing marketable yield
- Better water use efficiency
- Improvements in overall pack-out quality
