Effects on fruit production and quality of different dormant pruning intensities in 'Bing'/'Gisela®6' sweet cherries (Prunus avium) in Central Chile

Abstract

Fruit size is a very important quality attribute in cherry trees. Appropriate canopy and crop load management are, therefore, required to obtain an adequate balance between the yield and fruit size. A study was carried out during the 2007-2008 season in the Maule Region of Chile to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of dormant pruning (Control, no removal; Soft pruning, 15% removal; Moderate pruning, 30% removal and Intense pruning, removal of 50% of the fruiting wood) on the fruit yield, quality (size, fruit weight, soluble solids and fruit firmness) and crop value of sweet cherries ( Prunus avium L.) cv. ‘Bing’ on the dwarfing rootstock, ‘Gisela 6’. Treatments at the 30 and 50% removal intensities had a strong effect on yield reduction (36.1% and 67% decreases, respectively). The fruit size distribution, firmness and soluble solids were positively affected by the removal treatments. The amount of fruit with no fresh market quality ( 28 mm) (52% of the total fruit) without affecting the total yield (kg fruit per tree). The crop value was improved in the cases of soft (212.7%) and moderate (140.4%) dormant pruning. Soft dormant pruning emerges as a practical approach for improving the yield, quality, fruit size distribution and crop value in this rootstock-variety combination, but long-term studies should be carried out to assess any carryover effects on the yield and, especially, the crop load balance