Sunscald is most likely to affect which parts of a plant?

• A. Underside of Leaves
• B. Underground Roots
• C. Flower Buds
• D. Bark and Exposed Fruit

Answer: (D)

Sunscald happens when tissue on parts of the plant that are directly exposed to sun and heat is damaged by radiant energy. This damage is most obvious on surfaces that can’t easily regulate temperature, especially the bark of trees and fruit that face the sun. When the sun’s intense heat hits thin or unprotected bark, the cells burn and the bark can crack, peel, or develop rough, corky areas. Likewise, fruit exposed to strong sun can develop pale, sunburned patches that may become brown or sunken as the tissue dies. The underside of leaves is usually shaded or protected, roots are underground and not exposed to sunlight, and while flower buds can be affected by heat or other stress, sunscald is most characteristically seen on bark and exposed fruit. So the parts most likely to show sunscald are the bark and any fruit surfaces that receive direct sun.