Abstract
Effects of preharvest sprays of calcium with and without traditional and novel growth regulators (gibberellic acid, abscisic acid and salicylic acid, glycine betaine and a biostimulant (Ascophyllum nodosum)) on quality and sensory attributes of ‘Skeena’ and ‘Sweetheart’ sweet cherries were investigated at harvest. Experiments were carried out during 2015 and 2016 in a Portuguese orchard. Spray treatment effects were affected by cultivar and year, with spray treatments eliciting more responses in 2016 and for ‘Sweetheart’ cherries. Abscisic acid spray treatment showed small effects on quality attributes at harvest. Gibberellic and salicylic acid increased fruit weight, while glycine betaine with calcium increased fruit weight, appearance and colour development. The spray treatments did not affect the soluble sugars, while salicylic acid and Ascophyllum nodosum with calcium increased total organic acid levels. Gibberellic acid and glycine betaine sprays are candidates to increase quality attributes at harvest for two important commercial cherry cultivars.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
