ISHS Acta Horticulturae 468: III International Cherry Symposium
RAIN COVER PROTECTION AGAINST CRACKING OF SWEET CHERRIES. - II. THE EFFECTS ON FRUIT RIPENING |
| Authors: | J. Børve, M. Meland |
| Keywords: | Prunus avium, rain protection, plastic covering, fruit ripeness, soluble solids, fruit colour |
| Abstract:
Plastic tree shelters to protect sweet cherries against cracking are important during the ripening season. Practical experience from sweet cherry growing areas in western Norway indicates delayed fruit ripening by covered cherry trees. In this field trial three different covering systems against cracking together with uncovered ‘Van’ trees (Prunus avium L.) were tested. The primary objectives were to test the hypothesis if plastic covers have any influences on fruit ripening. The experiment was carried out during 1994 and 1995 in the experimental orchard at Ullensvang Research Centre on 5 year old vertical axis trained trees, spaced 2x4 m and limited to 3.0 m height. The covering system consisted of wooden poles in the row with a high tensile wire at the tops. The trees were covered by cross laminated polyethylene sheets supported by the top wire and were tied with ropes to the neighbour rows. The covering period lasted for 3 weeks prior to harvest. The three different covering methods were: permanent covering, covering only when raining and umbrella covering (a steel pole in the middle of each tree supported a piece of polyethylene sheet which surrounded ¾ of the tree canopy). External and internal fruit quality was tested. Umbrella covered trees had less surface colour, reduced red juice colour and lower percent soluble solids than uncovered trees. No differences between the other covering methods were observed, uncovered included. | |
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