Contact us
+34 977 524 650

JULY 2026
AGRICULTURE | Innovation

Agricultural Sun Protectants: The Evolution Towards More Efficient Crop Protection

Agricultural sun protection is evolving to preserve fruit quality without compromising crop physiology.

High temperatures and intense solar radiation can cause sunburn on fruit, reduce market quality, and negatively affect crop yields. To minimize these effects, growers use agricultural sun protectants designed to lower fruit temperature and reduce heat stress.

Kaolin: the traditional solution

Kaolin is one of the most widely used agricultural sun protectants. It works by forming a white film on leaves and fruit that reflects part of the incoming solar radiation.

Advantages

  • Reduces fruit surface temperature.
  • A well-established and widely used solution.

Limitations

  • Leaves visible residues on the fruit.
  • May require washing before marketing.
  • Excessive applications may partially reduce gas exchange and photosynthetic efficiency by limiting stomatal activity.

SolDefend: a new generation of sun protectants

Modern agriculture has driven the development of more advanced solutions capable of protecting crops without compromising their appearance or physiological performance.

SolDefend, developed by AFEPASA, is an innovative crop sun protectant formulated to reduce heat stress by filtering part of the ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS), and infrared (IR) radiation. Its advanced formulation can lower the internal fruit temperature by up to 8°C, helping preserve fruit quality under extreme conditions.

Unlike conventional mineral protectants, SolDefend does not leave visible residues or stains on the fruit, making it especially suitable for fresh-market crops.

Key benefits

  • Reduces sunburn and heat stress.
  • Lowers internal fruit temperature by up to 8°C.
  • Prevents visible staining on fruit.
  • Reduces dehydration and improves market quality.
  • Extends post-harvest shelf life.

Sun protection is no longer just about reflecting sunlight

Today, an effective sun protectant must do more than simply reflect solar radiation. It must protect the crop, preserve fruit quality, and maintain its commercial value. In this regard, SolDefend represents an innovative solution that meets the demands of modern, high-performance agriculture.