NEW sun protection with no visible residue

Dimmer® is a new 100% natural product that covers apples with an invisible layer that protects from heat stress and UV damage caused by direct sunlight.

The special formulation is 99% freeze-dried, food grade, Spirulina platensis, a blue green algae commonly called nutraceutical spirulina. (Spirulina is also popular as a health supplement.)

Richard Bawden, Grochem Technical Services and Development Manager, says Dimmer has been trialled in New Zealand for the last two years with very successful results. “Dimmer’s real beauty, along with its efficacy, is that it doesn’t leave any visible residue. That’s quite a big deal as existing products have very visible residue.”

“With Dimmer there is no pre-harvest interval, low dose rates and superior protection against UV damage. It’s like a see-through sunscreen.”

Richard says where conventional sun-protection products are visible on apples it can hamper picking as pickers are looking for optimal colouring and ripeness. “Most growers will be looking for 2-4 picks based on colour, and if the sun protection is visible, you can’t do that.”

He says as Dimmer can be put in the tank with most other commonly used apple orchard products there’s no extra work required. Simply add to the cover spray and go.

“Dimmer is also BioGro registered so it’s suitable for organic orchards.”

“For best results make multiple Dimmer applications, first application in December then ahead of the next heat-stress period occurring – that’s going to vary from region to region and be influenced by the season. In the case of a prolonged heat period, reapplication should be made at 14 day intervals or after more than 20 mm of rain.”

Full crop coverage is needed and Grochem recommends that Dimmer be applied at a volume of at least 500-1000 L water/ha.

Richard says sunburn necrosis, browning, and photo-oxidation sunburn can be major and costly issues for orchardists, resulting in apples being downgraded or rejected.

Sunburn necrosis is the thermal death of the skin and damage to underlying tissues, while sunburn discolouring results in undesirable yellow to brown patches on the apple but not real deeper damage. Photo-oxidative sunburn (photobleaching) causes a distinctive white discoloration on fruit. 

Richard says appearance of fruit really count – especially for high-value export markets and it can often be a matter, for orchardists, of walking a fine line. “Consumers and exporters want a nice, shiny, unblemished apple but with too much sun exposure, you get marking, and those apples will be rejected at picking or packing. You’ll have lost fruit and revenue.”

For more information regarding Dimmer, contact your local Grochem Regional Manager or visit grochem.com

®Dimmer is a registered trademark of Globalchem