Re: Does the sun speed up the rate of decomposition of a banana peel?

Dear Baylee: The rate of decay of vegetable material is going to be 
fairly constant in sunlight or not. The effect of UV radiation from the 
sun may slow down the decomposition process by making it more difficult 
for decay organisms to proliferate, but at the same time solar heating 
will help to reduce the mass of material through the effects of moisture 
loss. However, yeasts, molds and other fungii as well as bacteria can be 
expected to decompose the soft parts of the peel relatively quickly. The 
fiberous parts of the peel will eventually decompose as a result of 
exposure to the elements although it may take some time for the material 
to loose its integrity, with the stem, likely the last bit to disappear.