Effect of Night Temperature on Growth of the Fruit of the Sour Cherry

Abstract

1. The effect of night temperature was determined for the growth of sourcherry fruits (Prunus cerasus L., var. Montmorency) during two growing seasons, 1948 and 1949. Fruiting limbs of cherry trees were confined at night in heated chambers: Six temperature conditions were provided, designated CK1, CK2, M, H1, H2, and VH, with average night temperatures, respectively, of 56.4⚬, 59.4⚬, 65.1⚬, 72.6⚬, 80.8⚬, and 87.7⚬ F. 2. Cyclic growth curves for the sour cherry in Ohio were found to agree very closely with those determined in New York. 3. The duration of stages I and II was inversely related to night temperature. 4. The duration of stage III was positively correlated with night temperature. 5. Low total soluble solids, poor fruit color, and poor foliage color were produced with high night temperatures during stage III. 6. The total number of days to maturity was approximately the same under different night temperature conditions. 7. The growth correlations of developing parts of the sour-cherry fruit are n...