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The aim of this work is the characterisation of seven cultivars of sweet cherry grown at Murcia (Spain) by determining flower bud 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 ). Additional key words: breeding; flower buds; fruit quality; fruit set. Resumen Factores que afectan al cuajado y la calidad del fruto en distintas variedades de cerezoEn este trabajo se ha realizado la caracterización pomológica de siete variedades de cerezo, cultivadas en la Región de Murcia. Se han determinado características florales como densidad de yemas de flor, número de yemas de flor y número total de flores por ramillete, caída de yemas, porcentaje de cuajado de frutos y de frutos dobles desde 2004 hasta 2007. También se determinaron algunos atributos relacionados con la calidad de las cerezas, como peso, color, sólidos solubles, acidez total y firmeza. La variedad 'Brooks' además de mostrar una elevada producción de yemas florales y un número adecuado de flores por ramillete, registró altos niveles de sólidos solubles totales, índice de madurez y firmeza. 'Burlat' y 'Somerset' alcanzaron valores medios en la mayoría de los parámetros de biología floral y calidad de fruto analizados. En 'Cristobalina' el porcentaje de cuajado de frutos fue elevado en todos los años de estudio (34-42%), aunque el tamaño de la cereza (7,26 ± 0,30 g) y sus valores de firmeza (1 N mm -1 ) fueron muy bajos. 'Marvin' presentó un porcentaje de frutos dobles bajo, un período de maduración bastante corto y fue la variedad que presentó el color rojo más oscuro. En 'Ruby' el cuajado de frutos fue muy errático y la presencia de frutos dobles importante. Esta variedad registró un buen índice de madurez, así como buena firmeza. 'New Star' destacó por los elevados porcentajes de cuajado (35-65%) y ausencia de frutos dobles, a...

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In order to measure the influence of the temperature-humidity index (THI) and the variation of fat thickness on reproductive performance, ninety-two Bos indicus cows kept under grazing conditions were used in two farms in Veracruz (Mexico) and Puntarenas (Costa Rica). THI was calculated with the average environmental temperature and relative humidity. Measurements of fat thickness (FAT) were taken two weeks apart from the last trimester of gestation to approximately 80 days postpartum (dpp). Natural breeding was used in both farms. Time to conception was calculated based on the interval from days at risk to conception (DRC), which had to be at least 28 dpp. THI was between 65.4 ± 2.9 and 73.2 ± 1.5 in Veracruz and 75.4 ± 0.26 and 76.5 ± 0.55 in Puntarenas. Variations in THI were observed in Puntarenas whereas in Veracruz THI variations were more prominent. In Veracruz, loss of fat during the last trimester of gestation was on average 8.5%, whereas in the postpartum period it was 18.4% (P = 0.042). In Puntarenas, the variation in the last trimester of gestation was on average 18.7% and in the postpartum period was 10.5% (P = 0.012). The relative change in FAT in Veracruz was 36.7%, and in Puntarenas it was 29.3%. Overall, 60% of the cows became pregnant. FAT decreased the interval of DRC (R2=0.06; P=0.033) with a high relationship (R2=0.76; P< 0.0001) between THI and time to conception, in both farms. In conclusion, THI levels influence the reproductive performance in early postpartum period affecting DRC.