Abstract
Abstract Limbs of ‘Bing’ cherries (Prunus avium L.) were shaded with neutral density shade structures to reduce light levels to 10–15% full sun. Three placement times were used: a) petal fall to pit hardening (PF-PH), b) pit hardening to harvest (PH-H), and c) petal fall to harvest (PF-H). Shaded limbs had reduced fruit set, and fruit color and soluble solids were less in comparison to fruit from unshaded limbs. Fruit from shaded limbs were smaller than unshaded for the first 2 harvests, but for the last 2 harvest dates, fruit shaded from PF-PH or PF-H were larger. The time to reach dark red maturity was delayed 5 days by shading from PF-PH or PH-H and 12 days by shading from PF-H. When compared at equal color maturities, fruit from unshaded limbs were firmer than those from shaded limbs. In a study using natural shade, the relationship of fruit color and soluble solids to the percentage of full sun (FS) was logarithmic, with both variables dramatically reduced at light levels below 10–15% FS. Neither fruit weight nor firmness were related to the percentage of FS.
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