Articles
Fruit quality in relation to leaf area index, leaf wetness and crop load in two canopy training systems of sweet cherry Prunus avium Skeena on Gisela 6 rootstock
Article number
1346_41
Pages
327 – 336
Language
English
Abstract
Innovative canopy training systems have been implemented in sweet cherry production by a rising number of orchards in North America to achieve high yield efficiency and improve fruit quality through less labor-dependent horticultural management.
Quantitative comparison between Tall Spindle Axe (TSA) and Upright Fruiting Offshoot (UFO) can improve our understanding of the differences and advantages of the two systems.
In this study, TSA and UFO of Skeena cherry (Prunus avium Skeena) on Gisela 6 rootstock grown under the semi-arid climatic condition in Summerland (British Columbia, Canada) were evaluated in canopy leaf area index, leaf wetness, crop load, and fruit quality attributes.
TSA and UFO did not differ significantly in tree trunk vigor in the 9th (2018) or 10th (2019) years of planting, or, in canopy light interception, leaf area index, or monthly wetness duration in the growing season 2019. TSA showed higher yield potential at the cost of compromised fruit quality.
UFO led to more consistent fruit quality within the population and over the years, possibly due to its less yield variation and more uniformed canopy light conditions.
In both systems, frost injury in the early spring led to the decrease in yield in 2019, with the decrease in TSA being more drastic.
Under a similar crop load in 2019, TSA and UFO showed no difference in susceptibility to fruit cracking.
Crop load higher than 20 fruits cm-2 of TCSA had negative impacts on fruit weight and SSC and should be avoided in both systems.
When the ultimate goal is high yield, TSA could be a preferred structure for Skeena and cultivars of similar fruiting habits.
On the other hand, UFO presented some advantages in maintaining fruit quality consistency.
Quantitative comparison between Tall Spindle Axe (TSA) and Upright Fruiting Offshoot (UFO) can improve our understanding of the differences and advantages of the two systems.
In this study, TSA and UFO of Skeena cherry (Prunus avium Skeena) on Gisela 6 rootstock grown under the semi-arid climatic condition in Summerland (British Columbia, Canada) were evaluated in canopy leaf area index, leaf wetness, crop load, and fruit quality attributes.
TSA and UFO did not differ significantly in tree trunk vigor in the 9th (2018) or 10th (2019) years of planting, or, in canopy light interception, leaf area index, or monthly wetness duration in the growing season 2019. TSA showed higher yield potential at the cost of compromised fruit quality.
UFO led to more consistent fruit quality within the population and over the years, possibly due to its less yield variation and more uniformed canopy light conditions.
In both systems, frost injury in the early spring led to the decrease in yield in 2019, with the decrease in TSA being more drastic.
Under a similar crop load in 2019, TSA and UFO showed no difference in susceptibility to fruit cracking.
Crop load higher than 20 fruits cm-2 of TCSA had negative impacts on fruit weight and SSC and should be avoided in both systems.
When the ultimate goal is high yield, TSA could be a preferred structure for Skeena and cultivars of similar fruiting habits.
On the other hand, UFO presented some advantages in maintaining fruit quality consistency.
Publication
Authors
H. Xu, D. Ediger
Keywords
canopy interception, fruit cracking, tall spindle axe (TSA), upright fruiting offshoot (UFO)
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