CAHNRS Network > Tree Fruit Postharvest Export Education > Fruit Finish (Sunburn)

Fruit Finish (Sunburn)

The Fruit Finish section of the card set includes sun and heat-induced disorders found in Washington apples. This includes sunburn browning, sunburn necrosis and photo-oxidative sunburn (previously referred to as Type III sunburn). The upcoming revision of the Defects & Disorders Guide will include any emerging or reclassified disorders. To navigate directly to the pest damage of interest use the links below this text block.  The card images shown on this site are slightly modified from their original form to accommodate web formatting. Any reproduction of the card images or content without permission is in violation of WSU Copyright policies.

Sunburn browning   Sunburn Necrosis   Photo-oxidative browning

Comparison of Sunburn Symptoms of Gala

From left to right: Sunburn necrosis, Sunburn browning, and Photo-oxidative sunburn. Image credit: Larry Schrader.

Sunburn Browning

Sunburn Browning is the most common form of sunburn. The symptoms appear as a yellow, brown or dark tan spot on the sun exposed side of the apple. This disorder is induced by ultraviolet-B radiation from sun light along with high fruit surface temperature. The sunburned area may contain desiccated lenticels depending on severity.

Figure 1. Sunburn browning on Golden Delicious.
Figure 2. Sunburn browning on Fuji.

Sunburn Necrosis

Sunburn Necrosis is heat-induced while the fruit is on the tree. Like Sunburn Browning it occurs on the sun exposed part of the fruit, but UVB is not a major factor. When the fruit surface temperature exceeds 126 degrees F for as little as 10 minutes, skin cell death occurs resulting in a dark brown or black (necrotic) spot that appears later. Cracking of the affected area is common.

Figure 1. Sunburn necrosis on Granny Smith.
Figure 2. Sunburn necrosis on Red Delicious.
Figure 3. Sunburn necrosis on Gala.

Photo-Oxidative Sunburn

Apples that are suddenly exposed to sunlight after growing in shade, as would occur with hand thinning or late season pruning, may develop Photo-oxidative Sunburn. Unlike the previously mentioned sunburn forms, this is neither surface temperature, nor UV-B dependant. In addition to happening on the tree, it can also occur after harvest if apple bins are left sitting out in the sun in the field, on a truck, or at the loading dock. Appearance of Photo-oxidative Sunburn varies by severity.  In general, it appears first as whitened peel (i.e., photo-bleaching) with browning appearing later.

Figure 1. Photo-oxidative Sunburn on Granny Smith with slight browning.
Figure 2. Photo-oxidative Sunburn on Red Delicious with darker browning and obvious bleaching.