Sweet Cherry Fruit Quality Research Articles

Influence of post-harvest deficit irrigation and pre-harvest fruit thinning on sweet cherry (cv. New Star) fruit firmness and quality

SummaryThe effects of tree water stress on sweet cherry (‘New Star’) fruit quality during post-harvest and pre-harvest fruit thinning were evaluated in a 2-year field experiment (2005 – 2006). Four different treatments were applied: (i) fully irrigated (Control), in which irrigation was scheduled according to a water budget approach; (ii) RDI-80%, in which the crop received 0.8× Control irrigation during post-harvest and was irrigated like the Control during pre-harvest; (iii) RDI-50% in which the crop received 0.5× Control irrigation during post-harvest and was irrigated like the Control during pre-harvest; and (iv) RDI-80%-T in which irrigation management was the same as for RDI-80%, but fruits were only thinned 1 month prior to harvest in 2006. No significant effects on fruit load or yield were observed in 2006 as a consequence of the 2005 irrigation treatments. However, the RDI-50% treatment produced a noticeable advance in ripening, as evaluated from the percentage of fruit harvested at the first pick. Post-harvest water stress did not affect fruit quality at harvest, but slightly reduced fruit firmness (FF) and soluble solids content (SSC) after cold storage, with no significant variation in fruit flesh red colour (expressed as hue angle). Fruit-thinning reduced the fruit load by 38% compared to Control trees, and significantly increased fruit fresh weight (FW), FF, and SSC for cherries with similar flesh colour to the other treatments. Reducing irrigation by 50% during post-harvest advanced the harvest date (RDI-50% treatment), but did not provide any advantage in terms of fruit quality.

Effect of Boron Fertilization on Sweet Cherry Tree Yield and Fruit Quality

ABSTRACT The goal of the study was to examine response of sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) to boron (B) fertilization. The experiment was conducted during 2003–2004 in Central Poland on mature ‘Buttner's Red’ sweet cherry trees planted on a sandy loam soil with low B availability. Trees were soil-or foliar-fertilized with B. Soil B application was made at a rate of 2 kg ha−1 at the bud-burst stage. Foliar B sprays were performed: (1) in the spring, at the stage of white bud, beginning of flowering, and petal fall and (2) in the fall, approximately four to five weeks before the natural leaf fall. In each of spring spray treatments, B was applied at a rate of 0.2 kg ha−1 and in the fall at a rate of 0.8 kg ha−1. Trees untreated with B served as a control. The results showed that B fertilization had no effect on vigor and yield of sweet cherry trees despite increased concentration of this microelement in flower and leaf tissues. Mean fruit weight, titratable acidity, and fruit sensitivity to cracking also were not influenced by B fertilization. Fruits of B-fertilized trees, regardless of the method of its application, had higher concentrations of soluble solids and anthocyanins than did control plants. It is concluded that under conditions of this experiment, B fertilization can be recommended in sweet cherry culture to improve fruit quality and their appearance.

Gibberellic Acid Inhibits Floral Bud Induction and Improves `Bing' Sweet Cherry Fruit Quality

This paper reports on the potential of gibberellic acid (GA3 and GA4+7) to reduce sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) floral bud induction and balance fruit number and improve fruit quality in the season following application. In 2003, GA3 was applied to `Bing'/`Gisela 1' trees at 50 and 100 mg·L-1 at the end of stage I of fruit development, end of stage II, and on both dates. These treatments were compared to the industry standard application of 30 mg·L–1 applied at the end of stage II and an untreated control. Fruit quality was evaluated in the year of application (i.e., nontarget crop) and return bloom, fruit yield and quality were assessed in the subsequent season (2004). In 2003, GA3 delayed fruit maturity proportional to rate. In 2004, bloom density and fruit yield were related negatively and linearly to GA3 concentration. GA3 reduced the number of reproductive buds per spur and did not affect the number of flowers per reproductive bud. Nonspur flowering at the base of 1-year-old shoots was more inhibited by GA3 than flowering on spurs. Double applications significantly reduced bloom density and yield versus single applications. Trees treated with two applications of 50 and 100 mg·L–1 yielded fruit with 7% and 12% higher soluble solids, 15% and 20% higher firmness, and 7% and 14% greater weight, respectively. However, no treatment improved crop value per tree. In a separate isomer trial, GA3 and GA4+7 were applied to `Bing'/`Gisela 1' trees at 100 and 200 mg·L–1 at both the end of stage I and II in 2004. GA3 and GA4+7 applied at 100 mg·L–1 reduced bloom density similarly by 65%. GA3was more inhibiting than GA4+7at 200 mg·L–1, reducing bloom density by 92% versus 68%. We observed a 4- to 5-day delay in flowering from both GA formulations at 200 mg·L–1. At both concentrations, GA3 reduced yield by 71% and 95% versus 34% and 37% reduction by GA4+7. Fruit weight and soluble solids were unaffected but fruit firmness was increased by all treatments (6% to 17%). However, crop value per tree was highest from untreated control because improvements in fruit quality were insufficient to offset reductions in yield. GA3 shows potential as a novel crop load management tool in productive `Bing' sweet cherry orchard systems.

Sweet cherry fruit quality by half-intensive orchard management

We made our study on fruit quality in the summer of 2005 on 6 cultivars („Bigarreau Burlat”, „Germersdorfi 3”, „Germersdorfi 45”, „Katalin”, „Linda” and „Van”) in a half-intensive sweet cherry orchard in Siófok. We measured fruit diameter, fruit width, fruit height, stem length and stem weight, fruit and pit weight and total soluble solids content. There were large differences among cultivars in the datas. These differences are due to genetic fruit-characteristics, because all other conditions were the same. We harvested fruits by 3 cultivars two times to check their characteristics on two ripening phases. We examined on these cultivars all the above listed fruit quality parameters. With these data we can be informed about the role of later than optimal harvesting time and how big an effect it has on fruit quality.

Effect of radio frequency heating as a potential quarantine treatment on the quality of ‘Bing’ sweet cherry fruit and mortality of codling moth larvae

‘Bing’ sweet cherry ( Prunnus avium L.) fruit quality and fifth-instar codling moth ( Cydia pomonella [L.]) mortality were evaluated after radio frequency (RF) heating. The fruit were heated with radio frequency energy to four target temperatures (50, 52, 53 and 54 °C), held in the RF-heated water for various holding times from 0.5 to 6 min, and stored under simulated air or sea shipment conditions (5 °C for 24 h or 0 °C for 2 weeks, respectively) before quality evaluation. There was no significant effect on cherry color, decay or shrivel, and RF had only a slight effect on berry browning. Regardless of shipment, stem browning and berry pitting were affected by RF-heating. Cherry quality was most affected when fruit were treated with RF and stored to simulate sea shipment. Heating the fruit to 53 or 54 °C assured 100% codling moth larval mortality. Treatments that may provide quarantine security include heating fruit to 52 °C and holding for 4 min, 53 °C for 1.5 min or 54 °C for 1 min, but quality of the cherries following these treatments was only acceptable when fruit were stored to simulate air shipment.

Scion-rootstock interaction affects the physiology and fruit quality of sweet cherry

Water relations, leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, light canopy transmittance, leaf photosynthetic pigments and metabolites and fruit quality indices of cherry cultivars 'Burlat', 'Summit' and 'Van' growing on five rootstocks with differing size-controlling potentials that decrease in the order: Prunus avium L. > CAB 11E > Maxma 14 > Gisela 5 > Edabriz, were studied during 2002 and 2003. Rootstock genotype affected all physiological parameters. Cherry cultivars grafted on invigorating rootstocks had higher values of midday stem water potential (Psi(MD)), net CO(2) assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance (g(s)), intercellular CO(2) concentration (C(i)) and maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (F(v)/F(m)) than cultivars grafted on dwarfing rootstocks. The Psi(MD) was positively correlated with A, g(s) and C(i). Moreover, A was positively correlated with g(s), and the slopes of the linear regression increased from invigorating to dwarfing rootstocks, indicating a stronger regulation of photosynthesis by stomatal aperture in trees on dwarfing Edabriz and Gisela 5. The effect of rootstock genotype was also statistically significant for leaf photosynthetic pigments, whereas metabolite concentrations and fruit physicochemical characteristics were more dependent on cultivar genotype. Among cultivars, 'Burlat' leaves had the lowest concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, but were richest in total soluble sugars, starch and total phenols. Compared with the other cultivars, 'Summit' had heavier fruits, independent of the rootstock. 'Burlat' cherries were less firm and had lower concentrations of soluble sugars and a lower titratable acidity than 'Van' cherries. Nevertheless, 'Van' cherries had lower lightness, chroma and hue angle, representing redder and darker cherries, compared with 'Summit' fruits. In general, Psi(MD) was positively correlated with fruit mass and A was negatively correlated with lightness and chroma. These results demonstrate that: (1) water relations and photosynthesis of sweet cherry tree are mainly influenced by the rootstock genotype; (2) different physicochemical characteristics observed in cherries of the three cultivars suggest that regulation of fruit quality was mainly dependent on the cultivar genotype, although the different size-controlling rootstocks also had a significant effect.

Chemical Blossom Thinners Vary in Their Effect on Sweet Cherry Fruit Set, Yield, Fruit Quality, and Crop Value

The commercial adoption of the relatively new rootstock `Gisela 5' (Prunus cerasus L. × P. canescens L.) has been limited in the United States sweet cherry (P. avium L.) industry despite its ability to induce precocity and productivity and reduce scion vigor compared to the standard Mazzard (P. avium). This is due in large part to inadequate crop load management that has led to high yields of small fruit. This paper reports on sweet cherry chemical blossom thinning trials conducted in 2002 and 2003. Two percent ammonium thiosulphate (ATS), 3% to 4% vegetable oil emulsion (VOE), and tank mixes of 2% fish oil + 2.5% lime sulphur (FOLS) were applied to entire 8- and 9-year-old `Bing'/`Gisela 5' sweet cherry canopies at about 10% full bloom (FB) and again at about 90% FB. In both years, ATS and FOLS reduced fruit set by 66% to 33% compared to the control (C). VOE reduced fruit set by 50% compared to C in 2002 but had no effect in 2003. In 2002, fruit yield was 30% to 60% lower from thinned trees. In 2003, fruit yield was unaffected by thinning treatment. In 2002, ATS and FOLS improved fruit soluble solids but had no effect in 2003. VOE did not affect fruit soluble solids in 2002 and reduced fruit soluble solids by 12%, compared to C, in 2003. In 2002, each thinning treatment nearly eliminated the yield of the small fruit (≤21.5-mm diameter) and increased yield of large fruit (≥26.5 mm) by more than 400%, compared to C. In 2003, ATS and FOLS did not affect yield of small fruit but increased the yield of large fruit by 60%. In 2003, VOE-treated trees yielded 4.3 kg of small fruit per tree compared to about 0.15 kg from C, suggesting a phytotoxic response to VOE beyond that which may effect thinning. Compared to C, ATS and FOLS consistently reduced fruit set and improved fruit quality. We conclude that commercially acceptable yields of excellent quality `Bing' sweet cherries can be grown on size-controlling and precocious rootstocks.

Rootstock and Training System Affect Sweet Cherry Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality

Traditional sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) training systems in the United States are based upon vigorous rootstocks and multiple leader vase canopy architectures. The sweet cherry research lab at Washington State University has been investigating the potential of new rootstocks and training systems to improve production efficiency and produce high quality fruit. This paper describes the effects of three rootstocks—Mazzard (P. avium), `Gisela 6', and `Gisela 5' (P. cerasus × P. canescens)—and four training systems—central leader, multiple-leader bush, palmette, and y-trellis—on `Bing' sweet cherry tree vigor, fruit yield and quality over a seven year period. Compared to trees on Mazzard, trees on `Gisela 5' and `Gisela 6' had 45% and 20% lower trunk cross-sectional areas after 7 seasons, respectively. Trees on `Gisela 6' were the most productive, yielding between 13% and 31% more than those on `Gisela 5' and 657% to 212% more than trees on Mazzard, depending on year. Both Gisela rootstocks significantly improved precocity compared to Mazzard, bearing fruit in year 3 in the orchard. Canopy architecture had only moderate effects on tree vigor and fruit yield. Across rootstocks, bush-trained trees were about 25% less productive compared to the other systems, which exhibited similar cumulative yields (102 kg/tree). Fruit weight was negatively and closely (r2 = 0.84) related to tree yield efficiency (kg·cm–2). Crop value was related positively to fruit yield.

EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT LEAF POPULATIONS ON SWEET CHERRY FRUIT QUALITY

ISHS XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Key Processes in the Growth and Cropping of Deciduous Fruit and Nut Trees EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT LEAF POPULATIONS ON SWEET CHERRY FRUIT QUALITY

EFFECTS OF LEAF AREA REMOVAL ON SWEET CHERRY VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND FRUIT QUALITY

ISHS XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Key Processes in the Growth and Cropping of Deciduous Fruit and Nut Trees EFFECTS OF LEAF AREA REMOVAL ON SWEET CHERRY VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND FRUIT QUALITY

Responses of physiology and quality of sweet cherry fruit to different atmospheres in storage

Sweet cherry ( Prunus avium L. cv Lapis) fruits were stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and controlled atmospheres (CA) of 5%O 2 plus 10%CO 2, or 70%O 2 plus 0%CO 2 at 1 °C, to determine the effects of different O 2 and CO 2 concentrations on physiological properties, quality attributes and storability during storage periods of 60 days. The results indicated that CA with 5%O 2 plus 10%CO 2 more significantly inhibited the enzymatic activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD), reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content, effectively prevented flesh browning, decreased fruit decay and extended storage life of sweet cherry fruit than did other treatments. CA with high O 2 concentration (70%O 2 + 0%CO 2) was more effective at inhibiting ethanol production in flesh and reducing decay than other treatments, but stimulated fruit browning after 40 days of storage. Meanwhile, the fruits stored in 5%O 2 plus 10%CO 2 had a higher degree of firmness, higher vitamin C and titratable acidity contents than those in MAP and CA with high O 2 level during all the storage periods. But soluble solids contents (SSC) were not significantly affected by different atmosphere treatments.

Comparison of alternative postharvest quarantine treatments for sweet cherries

The effects of controlled atmosphere heat treatments (CATTS) and irradiation on sweet cherry fruit quality were compared to fumigation with methyl bromide. ‘Bing’ and ‘Rainier’ sweet cherry varieties were tested from the Yakima and Wenatchee, WA growing areas. Irradiated cherries had overall quality better than methyl bromide-treated cherries. CATTS-treated ‘Rainier’ cherries, but not ‘Bing’, had more pitting and bruising after 14 days of storage than fruit from other treatments. Both cultivars treated with methyl bromide had poorer stem quality than controls. CATTS-treated ‘Bing’ fruits had poorer stem quality after 7 and 14 days of storage than the controls. This research demonstrated that both irradiation and CATTS have potential for alternative quarantine treatments for sweet cherries.

The effects of copper and calcium foliar sprays on cherry and apple fruit quality

The effects of post-bloom applications of calcium hydroxide (3000 g per 100 1) either alone or mixed with copper hydroxide (150 g Kocide ®, 50% Cu per 100 1) on fruit quality of sweet cherry and apple were studied. The sprays were applied to sweet cherry trees within 6 weeks of flowering and to apple trees within 8 weeks of flowering. Calcium hydroxide alone had no effect on the quality parameters measured except that russet was decreased on ‘Golden Delicious’. Application of copper plus calcium mixture to ‘Bing’ and ‘Van’ cherries improved fruit resistance to cracking and firmness. This spray mixture also improved the flesh firmness of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples.

Fruit Characteristics and Sensory Attributes of an Ideal Sweet Cherry

The relationship between the objective assessment of analytical measures of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit quality and the corresponding sensory panel rating was studied. The optimum size, based on average fruit weight, for sweet cherries was 11 to 12 g. A nine-row or 29- to 30-mm-diameter sweet cherry would be the equivalent industry standard. When two separate panels were conducted with overlapping samples, panelists had similar results for optimum fruit size. The optimum color is represented by the #6 color chip of the prototype of the Centre Technique Interprofessionnel des Fruits et Légumes (CTIFL) scale (#5 in new commercial CTIFL chart). A fruit firmness between 70 and 75 using a Shore Instrument durometer was considered optimum. Minimum soluble solids concentration (SSC) for sweet cherries was between 17% and 19% and optimum pH of the juice was 3.8. The optimum sweet–sour balance was between 1.5 and 2 (SSC/ml NaOH).

Growth, Photosynthesis and Fruit Quality of Sweet Cherry Treated with Paclobutrazol

Growth, Photosynthesis and Fruit Quality of Sweet Cherry Treated with Paclobutrazol

320 REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT AND FRUIT QUALITY OF SWEET CHERRY

Variability in maturity and quality of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L. `Bing') fruit at harvest is a major limitation to the crop's storage and marketing potential. Later blooming flowers resulted in poorer fruit quality Differences in bloom date were related to differences in flower primordial development during winter. Vigorous shoots grown in the previous season produced fewer flower buds per length of shoot than did shorter, less vigorous shoots, resulting in larger flower primordia on vigorous shoots, The effects on primordial and fruit development of altered leaf areas per flower bud the previous summer were examined. A decrease in leaf area per bud during summer reduced primordium size in mid-winter. Dormant flower primordia of 6-yr-old `Bing' trees on precocious `Giessen' rootstock, Gil48/1, were larger than those with `Mazzard' as rootstock. Flower primordia on dwarfing Gil48/8 rootstock were intermediate in size. Differences in primordial development and bloom date, whether due to management practices or rootstock, may affect fruit development and contribute to variability in fruit maturity and quality.

Structure and macroscopic chaos in biology : Kazuhisa Tomia, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, 606 JAPAN.

‘Bing’ sweet cherry (Prunnus avium L.) fruit quality and fifth-instar codling moth (Cydia pomonella [L.]) mortality were evaluated after radio frequency (RF) heating. The fruit were heated with radio frequency energy to four target temperatures (50, 52, 53 and 54 °C), held in the RF-heated water for various holding times from 0.5 to 6 min, and stored under simulated air or sea shipment conditions (5 °C for 24 h or 0 °C for 2 weeks, respectively) before quality evaluation. There was no significant effect on cherry color, decay or shrivel, and RF had only a slight effect on berry browning. Regardless of shipment, stem browning and berry pitting were affected by RF-heating. Cherry quality was most affected when fruit were treated with RF and stored to simulate sea shipment. Heating the fruit to 53 or 54 °C assured 100% codling moth larval mortality. Treatments that may provide quarantine security include heating fruit to 52 °C and holding for 4 min, 53 °C for 1.5 min or 54 °C for 1 min, but quality of the cherries following these treatments was only acceptable when fruit were stored to simulate air shipment.

The effect of potassium soil amendments, trenching and foliar sprays on the mineral content, growth, yield and fruit quality of sweet cherry (Prunus aviumL.) and prune (Prunus domesticaL.)

Abstract Potassium sulfate was applied to established, non‐irrigated, K deficient trees on fine textured soil by banding, placing in augered holes and injecting into the soil. Additional trees received a heavy compost mulch in early fall. Trenches were dug in the fall beside trees to break roots and then were backfilled with K2SO4, dolomite lime or a combination of the two. One percent K solutions of KNO3 or K2SO4 were sprayed on trees four times during the growth season. Sweet cherry trees only responded to compost mulch applications within two years. August midshoot leaf K, leaf N and fruit size were increased within one year however tree growth and yield were not affected. Fruit size and shoot growth were partially dependent on August leaf K level. August midshoot leaf K of prune trees was increased within one growing season by all treatments except trench plus lime. Trees receiving compost also had increased levels of leaf N, P, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and B. Yield and shoot growth were increased only by compo...