Factors influencing fruit set and quality in different sweet cherry cultivars

Abstract

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...

Fruit Quality Attributes of Sour Cherry Cultivars

“…This seems to represent a major advantage for the growers. Similar tendency for fruit weight changes during ripening observed in a previous study on cherry cultivars [14]. Also, earlier work reported a high variability among cherry cultivars regarding this parameter [4,11,12,14,18].…”

“…Numerous studies have been done on physical and chemical change in sweet cherries during maturation [12][13][14], while studies on sour cherries are rare. Also, no detailed study concerning physical and chemical properties of sour cherry has been performed up to now.…”

Early tree growth, productivity, fruit quality and leaf nutrients content of sweet cherry grown in a high density planting system

“…Our data were similar to the results previously reported for cvs Celeste (Milatović et al 2013), Germersdorfer (Keserović et al 2007) and Sunburst (Glišić et al 2011). Variability in total acidity levels among sweet cherry cultivars was also previously reported (García-Montiel et al 2010).…”

“…Also, blossoming time and duration are important in cherry cultivar selection for planting on spring frost-prone sites. Beside cultivars, most of authors reported that season (year) importantly influenced blossoming date (García-Montiel et al 2010). In addition, climatic conditions can affect fruit set with both low and high temperatures having negative effects.…”

“…Several studies distinguished problems related to poor yields, which are frequently found in some sweet cherry cultivars (García-Montiel et al 2010). For example, Godini et al (2008) reported that cumulative sixth year yields of cv.…”