Effect of gibberellic acid and calcium on fruit size, cracking and other fruit quality parameters of cherries (Prunus avium L.) cv. Bing

摘要

The rentability of cherry productions is conditioned by the small fruit sizes obtained and by the great susceptibility to fruit cracking due to rainfall during the harvesting season. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of preharvesting spraying with giberrellic acid and calcium solutions on fruit size, cracking and other quality parameters of cherries cv. Bing. The plants from this cultivar were sprayed in two different seasons with gibberellic acid solutions (GA_3, 30 mg/L) calcium solutions (Ca, 1 g/L), or solutions combining GA_3 (30 mg/1) and Ca (1 g/L). Fruit size, incidence and intensity of cracking and fruit quality parameters (skin color, soluble solids content, titralable acidity, SSC/TA rate) were evaluated at harvest. Application of GA_3 increased fruit size, increased resistance to cracking and delayed skin color development. Application of Ca reduced fruit size and did not affect the cracking nor the quality of the cherries.