Friday June 13th, 2025

In response to the challenges posed by climate change and rising temperatures, Embrapa, in partnership with the biofertilizer company Litho Plant, developed Sombryt BR, a sunscreen for plants that aims to reduce physical damage to leaves and fruits, in addition to improving the adaptation of crops to adverse environmental conditions.

Sombryt BR is classified as a simple mineral fertilizer based on calcium carbonate. It is applied directly to the leaves and fruits of plants, forming a protective layer that reflects part of the solar radiation, reducing the temperature of the plant surface. This protection helps minimize the effects of heat stress and excessive radiation, factors that can compromise the quality and productivity of crops.

The product was tested in several regions and crops in Brazil. In Rio Real, Bahia, it was applied to citrus trees, and there was a 17% increase in the productivity of orange trees grown without irrigation. In Rio Grande do Norte and Espírito Santo, Sombryt BR increased pulp firmness by 18% and fruit mass by 20%, in addition to reducing physiological spots on the skin caused by temperature variations.

One of the methods of application already used in Brazilian fields is through drones, ensuring efficient coverage. The industrial production of the product is also a highlight in the national market: the company Litho Plant guarantees 100 thousand liters of the product per year.

The development of Sombryt BR shows that Brazilian science has a fundamental role to play in building a more resilient, productive and sustainable agriculture. It is with solutions like this that Brazil reinforces its leading role in food production and presents itself as the best market for the production of quality fruits in the world.