Rain Protective Covering of Sweet Cherry Trees—Effects of Different Covering Methods on Fruit Quality and Microclimate

Abstract

Three different rain protective covering methods for sweet cherry (Prunus avium) trees were tested with uncovered trees as control. The covers were a pitched cover mounted permanently, a similar cover mounted only when raining, and a permanent umbrella type enveloping the top and sides of single trees. Covers were mounted 3 weeks before and throughout the harvest period in two seasons with different weather conditions. All three covering methods increased the amount of marketable fruit from 54% on uncovered to 89% on covered trees in mean of 2 years. Fruit from umbrella covered trees had lower soluble solid content, lower juice color and lower ripeness compared with fruit from all other trees, reflecting the different microclimate in these trees such as frequently higher maximum temperatures and greater vapor pressure. The two pitched covers produced no significant changes in microclimate or internal fruit quality compared with uncovered trees.