Articles
Protected cropping of sweet cherry: microclimate and fruit quality
Article number
1366_43
Pages
353 – 358
Language
English
Abstract
Protected cropping systems (PCS) are increasingly being deployed over cherry orchards to ameliorate fruit cracking induced by late season rainfall events.
The objective of this study was to investigate microclimates and effects on fruit quality of the sweet cherry cultivar Staccato on Colt rootstock, in relation to elevation and proximity to the edge of a continuous (21 ha) vented PCS. Climate data was recorded at four locations under the PCS at 30-min intervals throughout the growing season from mid October 2020 to the end of March 2021. Locations 1 and 2 were 105 m and 75 m from the nearest edge and 125 m and 114 m above sea level (asl), respectively, while locations 3 and 4 were 60 and 50 m from the nearest edge at elevations of 111m and 102 m asl, respectively.
Average daily temperatures were 0.5°C warmer further from the PCS edge at higher elevations (locations 1 and 2), while average minimum relative humidity was similar across all locations.
Fruit compression firmness (343.4 g mm‑1), dry matter content (DMC) (19.2%) and total soluble solids content (TSS) (18.5 °Brix) were significantly higher at location 1, furthest from the PCS edge at the highest elevation in contrast to fruit harvested at location 4, the lowest location in closest proximity to the PCS edge where compression firmness, DMC and TSS were 251.1 g mm‑1, 16.2% and 15.5 °Brix, respectively.
Crop loads were similar at these two locations; therefore, it is speculated that elevated fruit compression firmness was due to relatively high DMC and TSS driven by warmer temperatures and a more favorable microclimate for growth under a PCS where venting maintained uniform relative humidity across all locations.
The findings of this study will inform grower management and harvest practices under vented PCS.
The objective of this study was to investigate microclimates and effects on fruit quality of the sweet cherry cultivar Staccato on Colt rootstock, in relation to elevation and proximity to the edge of a continuous (21 ha) vented PCS. Climate data was recorded at four locations under the PCS at 30-min intervals throughout the growing season from mid October 2020 to the end of March 2021. Locations 1 and 2 were 105 m and 75 m from the nearest edge and 125 m and 114 m above sea level (asl), respectively, while locations 3 and 4 were 60 and 50 m from the nearest edge at elevations of 111m and 102 m asl, respectively.
Average daily temperatures were 0.5°C warmer further from the PCS edge at higher elevations (locations 1 and 2), while average minimum relative humidity was similar across all locations.
Fruit compression firmness (343.4 g mm‑1), dry matter content (DMC) (19.2%) and total soluble solids content (TSS) (18.5 °Brix) were significantly higher at location 1, furthest from the PCS edge at the highest elevation in contrast to fruit harvested at location 4, the lowest location in closest proximity to the PCS edge where compression firmness, DMC and TSS were 251.1 g mm‑1, 16.2% and 15.5 °Brix, respectively.
Crop loads were similar at these two locations; therefore, it is speculated that elevated fruit compression firmness was due to relatively high DMC and TSS driven by warmer temperatures and a more favorable microclimate for growth under a PCS where venting maintained uniform relative humidity across all locations.
The findings of this study will inform grower management and harvest practices under vented PCS.
Authors
C.H. Stone, D.C. Close, S.A. Bound
Keywords
vented rain cover, temperature, elevation, dry matter content, compression firmness, soluble solids
Groups involved
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Division Horticulture for Development
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
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