Articles
Sweet cherry phenology and fruit characteristics in the context of climatic conditions in northeastern Romania
Article number
1449_22
Pages
165 – 172
Language
English
Abstract
Known as one of the most appreciated fruits in the world, the production of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) has required the knowledge of phenological data trends in experimental sites and in extremely contrasting climatic conditions.
The studies were performed for three consecutive years (2018-2020) at the Research Station for Fruit Growing Iasi situated in the northeastern part of Romania, using 11 cultivars of sweet cherry as research material, of which, seven national cultivars (‘Bucium’, ‘Cătălina’, ‘Cetătuia’, ‘George’, ‘Golia’, ‘Maria’ and ‘Marina’) and four foreign cultivars with international relevance (‘Hudson’, ‘Kordia’, ‘New Star’ and ‘Regina’). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of air temperature on phenophases according to the BBCH scale by calculating the sum of active temperature (SAT), growing degree-days (GDD) and the correlation coefficient between the number of days and the sum of active temperature.
The annual temperature has increased progressively, from 10.65°C in 2018 to 11.87°C in 2020, while the annual precipitation has decreased (from 529.8 mm in 2018 to 443.6 mm in 2020). The physicochemical characteristics of the fruit were also evaluated.
The highest values concerning the fruit’s weight have been recorded for ‘Regina’ (10.0 g), and the content of soluble substance was between 9.70 and 19.77%. The obtained results showed statistically significant differences, pointing that phenological changes were a reaction to temperature and precipitation.
The results will support the development of predictive models for sweet cherry phenology and the anticipation of breeding strategies to maintain and improve cherry production in temperate continental climates.
The studies were performed for three consecutive years (2018-2020) at the Research Station for Fruit Growing Iasi situated in the northeastern part of Romania, using 11 cultivars of sweet cherry as research material, of which, seven national cultivars (‘Bucium’, ‘Cătălina’, ‘Cetătuia’, ‘George’, ‘Golia’, ‘Maria’ and ‘Marina’) and four foreign cultivars with international relevance (‘Hudson’, ‘Kordia’, ‘New Star’ and ‘Regina’). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of air temperature on phenophases according to the BBCH scale by calculating the sum of active temperature (SAT), growing degree-days (GDD) and the correlation coefficient between the number of days and the sum of active temperature.
The annual temperature has increased progressively, from 10.65°C in 2018 to 11.87°C in 2020, while the annual precipitation has decreased (from 529.8 mm in 2018 to 443.6 mm in 2020). The physicochemical characteristics of the fruit were also evaluated.
The highest values concerning the fruit’s weight have been recorded for ‘Regina’ (10.0 g), and the content of soluble substance was between 9.70 and 19.77%. The obtained results showed statistically significant differences, pointing that phenological changes were a reaction to temperature and precipitation.
The results will support the development of predictive models for sweet cherry phenology and the anticipation of breeding strategies to maintain and improve cherry production in temperate continental climates.
Publication
Authors
I. Perju, I. Mineață, I.E. Golache, I.V. Ungureanu, S. Sîrbu
Keywords
Prunus avium L., fruit development, climate, temperature, phenophases
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