Fruit surface temperature of red-blushed pear: threshold for sunburn damage

<p>Pear fruit are subject to sun damage from high fruit surface temperature (FST). Threshold FST for the occurrence of sunburn are currently unknown and basic relationships between FST of pears and weather parameters have not been reported. Such knowledge is needed to aid implementation of management practices and improve orchard design to minimise sunburn. This paper reports relationships between pear FST and weather conditions. Continuous monitoring of FST and observations of sunburn damage enabled determination of threshold FST for the development of sunburn. Threshold FST for sunburn damage on ‘ANP-0131’ (Deliza®) pears was estimated to be 47.1 °C. Use of FST thresholds to improve mitigation of sunburn is discussed.