Purfresh has announced that Palmer Farm of Texas achieved a significant increase in the average size of melons and decrease in sun damage using the company’s patents-pending solar stress protectant—Purshade.
Results seen by Palmer Farm of Texas mirrored those from melon field trials conducted in California, which reflected increases from 11.8% of the total untreated pack-out to 18.3 % of the total Purshade treated pack-out.
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% of their crop. Studies have shown that with Purshade, melon growers have experienced a decrease in cullage, increased marketable yield, and improvements in overall pack-out quality.
“With Purshade, our plants look healthier and less stressed from the sun,” said Dana Strong of Palmer Farm of Texas. “Using Purshade last season, we experienced a significant increase in fruit size along with additional pickings, which helped contribute to our pounds per acre harvested increase of more than 35% year-over-year.”
Engineered with Advanced Reflectance Technology (ART), Purshade protects crops from the damaging effects of solar stress. 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 (3–6° C) cooler, which can improve water use efficiency, reduce incidence of heat stress, and enable basic physiological processes to continue in high temperatures when they would normally shut down.
The Purshade family of products includes a formulation for use on conventional crops as well as a formulation approved for organic production by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). The Purshade family of products is locally distributed via strategic partners worldwide.
Visit www.purfresh.com or www.purshade.com for more information.
