Articles
Prunus cerasus and Prunus avium: a physiological comparison between the two species
Article number
1408_55
Pages
407 – 416
Language
English
Abstract
Prunus cerasus has recently assumed an increasing importance within the horticultural sector due to its beneficial effects on human health.
However, literature still lacks research on sour cherry physiology and on its source/sink relationships.
This work aims at comparing Prunus cerasus fruit growth, water relations and source/sink relationships to the widely cultivated Prunus avium. Measurements on water relations, leaf gas exchanges, fruit and shoot growth were carried out in Prunus cerasus ‘Rio Cerca’ and in Prunus avium ‘Saretta’ trees, while fruit surface conductance, fruit quality and yields were determined for both species at harvest.
The two species showed similar leaf gas exchanges and stem and leaf water potentials during the day, although sour cherry tended to show a lower fruit water potential in the afternoon.
Fruit and shoot growth rates during the season were lower in sour compared to sweet cherry, but sour cherry showed higher yields at harvest.
The higher yields were due to the very high crop load typical of these trees.
However, data on total growth showed how sour cherry fruit can be considered a stronger sink, in comparison with sweet cherry.
The higher sink strength of sour cherry fruit compared to sweet cherry could be explained by the generally lower fruit water potentials which allowed fruit to attract more water and dry matter, but further studies are needed on this regard.
These results suggest a much higher productive efficiency in sour cherry compared to sweet cherry.
However, literature still lacks research on sour cherry physiology and on its source/sink relationships.
This work aims at comparing Prunus cerasus fruit growth, water relations and source/sink relationships to the widely cultivated Prunus avium. Measurements on water relations, leaf gas exchanges, fruit and shoot growth were carried out in Prunus cerasus ‘Rio Cerca’ and in Prunus avium ‘Saretta’ trees, while fruit surface conductance, fruit quality and yields were determined for both species at harvest.
The two species showed similar leaf gas exchanges and stem and leaf water potentials during the day, although sour cherry tended to show a lower fruit water potential in the afternoon.
Fruit and shoot growth rates during the season were lower in sour compared to sweet cherry, but sour cherry showed higher yields at harvest.
The higher yields were due to the very high crop load typical of these trees.
However, data on total growth showed how sour cherry fruit can be considered a stronger sink, in comparison with sweet cherry.
The higher sink strength of sour cherry fruit compared to sweet cherry could be explained by the generally lower fruit water potentials which allowed fruit to attract more water and dry matter, but further studies are needed on this regard.
These results suggest a much higher productive efficiency in sour cherry compared to sweet cherry.
Publication
Authors
M. Venturi, F. Femiano, S. Lugli, B. Morandi
Keywords
Prunus cerasus, Prunus avium, water relations, leaf gas exchanges
Groups involved
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