KCC and Rural Development Administration Develop Paint to Prevent Frost Damage in Fruit Trees

Maintains Stable Internal Tree Temperature Fluctuations
Easy Application with a Brush

KCC and the Rural Development Administration announced on January 7 that they have developed 'Soopuro Treeguard,' a water-based paint specifically designed to protect fruit trees from frost damage.

Soopuro Treeguard was developed through a joint research agreement (MOU) and a national project between KCC and the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science under the Rural Development Administration. As climate change has led to more frequent damage to fruit farms due to repeated cycles of abnormal heat and cold, the product is expected to help reduce the risk of frost damage by controlling fluctuations in the internal temperature of trees.

'Soopro Tree Guard,' a water-based paint exclusively for fruit trees jointly developed by KCC and the Rural Development Administration. KCC

Frost damage occurs when abnormally high winter temperatures cause early activation of moisture movement inside trees, followed by sudden climate changes that repeatedly freeze and thaw the moisture. This process can lead to tissue damage such as cracks in the bark or blocked water flow, which in turn reduces both the yield and quality of fruit.

This product boasts a solar reflectance of 92.1% and a near-infrared reflectance of 91.8%, offering significantly enhanced heat-blocking properties compared to conventional paints and minimizing surface damage to trees caused by intense sunlight. The high-reflectivity coating helps prevent rapid temperature increases on the trunk surface when exposed to sunlight, and also mitigates excessive cooling when temperatures drop sharply. In experiments, while the temperature of untreated trees rose by up to 13.1 degrees Celsius above ambient temperature during the day, trees treated with Soopuro Treeguard showed an increase of only 3.5 degrees Celsius.

Developed with a special acrylic resin base, the product also offers excellent crack resistance. The coating does not easily crack or peel even with surface expansion and contraction caused by daily or seasonal temperature changes, or during the tree's growth process. It also provides outstanding waterproofing and antifungal properties, and can be easily applied to trees with just a brush or roller, without the need for special equipment or expertise, thereby reducing the workload for agricultural workers.

KCC and the Rural Development Administration have completed a joint patent application for the related technology. Starting with field tests and pilot applications this year, they plan to gradually expand distribution to farms.

A KCC representative stated, "We will continue to develop climate change response technologies in collaboration with the Rural Development Administration, doing our utmost to help improve farm productivity and stabilize farmers' incomes."