Abstract
The aim of this work is the characterisation of seven cultivars of sweet cherry grown at Murcia (Spain) by determining flower density, flower buds drop, number of developing flower buds and total number of flowers per node, fruit set and percentage of double fruits from 2004 to 2007. Also some attributes related to fruit quality, such as fruit weight, colour, soluble solids, total acidity and firmness were evaluated at different ripening stages. ‘Brooks’ shows high production of flower buds and an appropriate total number of flowers per node in different years, besides high levels of total soluble solids (TSS), ripening index and fruit firmness. ‘Burlat’ and ‘Somerset’ ranged medium values of most of the analyzed floral biology and fruit quality parameters. ‘Cristobalina’ had high fruit set percentages in all years of study (34-42 %), but the fruit size (7.26±0.30 g) and the fruit firmness values were low (1 N mm-1). The maturation period of ‘Marvin’ fruits was very short and at the commercial ripening stage these fruits showed the darkest red colour. In ‘Ruby’ the fruit set was very erratic and the percentage of double fruits was high. This cultivar presented a good ripening index and fruit firmness levels. ‘New Star’ is characterized by consistent high fruit set percentages (35-65 %), absence of double fruits as well as by good fruit size (12.7±0.54 g), colour and firmness levels (≈ 2 N mm-1).
Highlights
Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is one of the most appreciated fruit by consumer due to its excellent quality
The interest of breeders is diverse but the knowledge of different aspects such as floral biology, fruit set behaviour or fruit quality of each cultivar could help them to choose the appropriate cultivars to be grown in a particular area with specific climatic conditions or as parentals in a breeding program
There are many factors related to floral biology of fruit trees that influence productivity, such as flower bud density, flower bud drop, flower quality or fruit set
Summary
Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is one of the most appreciated fruit by consumer due to its excellent quality. Spain is one of the main cherry producers in Europe, with production of 75,738 t in 2007, which represents 14% of the total in the European Union (MARM, 2008) This is an interesting alternative crop in southeast of Spain because it is complementary to apricot, plum or early peach. The interest of breeders is diverse but the knowledge of different aspects such as floral biology, fruit set behaviour or fruit quality of each cultivar could help them to choose the appropriate cultivars to be grown in a particular area with specific climatic conditions or as parentals in a breeding program. In different cultivars of Prunus species such as apricot or sour cherry, the influence of weather conditions on pollination, ovule longevity and fruit set has been studied in many fruit varieties (Guerriero et al, 1985; Furukawa and Bukovac, 1989; Burgos and Egea, 1993). The flower bud production has been studied in several cultivars of peach and nectarine (Bellini and Gianelli, 1975; Okie and Werner, 1996) or apricot (Alburquerque et al, 2004; Ruiz and Egea, 2008)
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