USO DE PROTETORES SOLARES AGRÍCOLAS NA REDUÇÃO DO SUNBURN E NA MELHORIA DA QUALIDADE DE FRUTOS EM POMARES COMERCIAIS: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

Abstract

The increase in solar radiation and high temperatures has intensified the occurrence of sunburn in fruit crops, causing losses in fruit quality and reducing the profitability of commercial orchards. This physiological disorder is associated with overheating of the fruit surface, which can lead to discoloration, browning, necrosis, cracking and a decrease in commercial value. This study was carried out as an integrative literature review, based on a systematic search conducted between January and April 2026 and covering publications from 2000 to the end of the search period. The research was conducted in scientific databases such as Google Scholar, SciELO, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, as well as in institutional repositories of theses and dissertations, using Portuguese and English descriptors related to agricultural sunscreens, particle films, sunburn, heat stress, solar radiation and fruit quality. The synthesis focused on fruit crops of high economic importance and known sensitivity to sunburn, especially citrus, apple, mango, grape and pomegranate, in which the use of products based on kaolin, calcium carbonate and other particulate materials has proven effective in reducing leaf and fruit surface temperature, decreasing the incidence of sunburn and preserving attributes such as firmness, color, soluble solids content and external appearance. In addition, these protectants can help reduce heat and photo-oxidative stress, favoring the maintenance of plant physiological activity during periods of higher climatic risk. Despite the reported benefits, the efficiency of these technologies depends on the crop, cultivar, environmental conditions, application rate, timing and the need for reapplications, so their use is more promising when integrated with other orchard management strategies aimed at reducing losses and improving fruit quality.