Disease, sunburn and insect damage to fruit and vegetable crops is significantly reduced by treatment of both fruit and foliage with a preventative amount of a protective agent (such as copper sulfate or hydroxide) and an optional amount of thixotropic smectic clay material, chemically altered to render its surface lipophilic, which are combined with a wax emulsion comprising a matrix of complex hydrocarbons, an emulsifying agent and water. In the practice of this disclosure the disease, sunburn, and insect protective composition is further diluted in an aqueous solution that is sprayable by commercial applicators.
