Sunburn and insect damage to fruit and vegetable crops is significantly reduced by treatment of both fruit and foliage with a preventative amount of thixotropic smectic clay material, chemically altered to render its surface lipophilic, which is combined with a wax emulsion comprising a matrix of complex hydrocarbons, an emulsifying agent and water. In the practice of this invention the sunburn and insect protective composition is further diluted in an aqueous solution that is sprayable by commercial applicators.
Disclosed are methods for blocking radiation to horticultural crops in order to reduce light-induced freeze and chill damage which involve treating the surface of the horticultural crops with an effective amount of one or more particulate materials.
