Peak summer temperatures and UV index can be incredibly high in South Africa. Even sun worshiping plants such as chillies have a hard time coping with our extreme summer temperatures. Capsicum can experience "Sun Scald" on fruit and foliage as a result of high temperatures and high UV. Affected pods develop areas of scalded skin, usually on the side of the pod most exposed to the sun. These patches turn into thin brown, parchment like areas.

While "Sun Scald" patches are not caused by pathogens and do not in any way impart on the flavour of the fruit, they do look unappetizing and are visually unappealing.

With time, moisture will seep through these patches and pods. Once moisture gets inside the pods pathogens are usually not far behind, resulting in pods rotting from the inside out. Rotting pods as a result of fungal or bacterial pathogens may well infect other pods, depending on the type of pathogen that is causing the rot and this in turn may affect the whole. If not controlled, this has the potential to infect neighbouring plants. So, it is important to monitor pods affected by "Sun Scald" for rot and remove pods to prevent further issues.

As far as preventing sun scald, we would recommend using a 40% shade netting over crops to reduce the intensity of the sun. Affected pods should be removed to avoid disease and to focus on new growth.