Review
Plant Sciences
Edoardo Vignati, Marzena Lipska, Jim M. Dunwell, Mario Caccamo, Andrew J. Simkin
Summary: Fruits play a crucial role in providing vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in the human diet. They also contain compounds that have important nutraceutical properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Cherries, in particular, are high in bioactive compounds and minerals, and their consumption contributes positively to health.
Article
Horticulture
Miguel Palma, Alvaro Sepulvedu, Jose Antonio Yuri
Summary: The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of plastic covers (roof and high tunnel) on microclimate, physiological response, vegetative growth, and physicochemical fruit characteristics of 'Santina' sweet cherry trees in a Mediterranean climate in Chile. The results showed that the covers reduced solar radiation, creating a darker environment under the roof compared to the high tunnel. The microclimate under the covers varied at different tree heights and influenced the water stress, fruit quality, and harvest timing, indicating the importance of adequate ventilation.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Matej Vosnjak, Helena Sircelj, Dominik Vodnik, Valentina Usenik
Summary: The effects of low temperatures on the physiological properties and metabolic status of 'Grace Star' sweet cherry trees were studied. The first exposure at lower temperatures caused more changes compared to the second exposure. These findings reveal the impact of low temperatures on sweet cherry trees and its potential negative effect on yield.
Article
Horticulture
S. Szilagyi, T. Horvath-Kupi, F. Desiderio, Z. Bekefi
Summary: Different cherry cultivars exhibit varying fruit sizes due to different genetic loci, with some cultivars carrying genetic traits associated with large fruits while others carrying traits associated with small fruits. Utilizing genotype data can effectively predict cherry fruit sizes and play a critical role in breeding programs.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Clayton-Cuch, Long Yu, Neil Shirley, David Bradley, Vincent Bulone, Christine Bottcher
Summary: NAA treatment affects hormone concentration and gene expression in cherry fruits, leading to increased ethylene production, fruit ripening, and anthocyanin production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Alireza Esmaeili, Azam Jafari, Ayoobali Ghasemi, Jalal Gholamnejad
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of edible coatings on the fruit quality of sweet cherry, and found that the use of tragacanth gum and Eremurus extract can reduce weight loss and improve fruit texture, color, and vitamin C content.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRUIT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Horticulture
Huimin Zhang, Yahua Jiang, Nan Zhang, Quan Li
Summary: Gas chromatography ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) was used to detect the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Zheng5-5 sweet cherry fruits cultivar under three cultivation patterns. A total of 24 VOCs were detected, with 19 identified as alcohols, aldehydes, acids, esters, and ketones. The VOCs were similar but significantly different in content under different cultivation modes. Esters were found to be the main components contributing to the sweet cherry fruit aroma. The study provides insights into the flavor characteristics of sweet cherry fruits under different cultivation patterns.
Article
Agronomy
Silvia Afonso, Ivo Oliveira, Anne S. Meyer, Berta Goncalves
Summary: Due to the increasing global population and the need for sustainable agricultural production, the agricultural sector requires innovative strategies to increase productivity and resource efficiency. Biostimulants have emerged as promising and environmentally friendly products that can enhance overall sustainability in agricultural production systems.
Article
Horticulture
Simon Pino, Miguel Palma, Alvaro Sepulveda, Javier Sanchez-Contreras, Mariana Moya, Jose Antonio Yuri
Summary: A study was conducted in a commercial sweet cherry orchard in central Chile to evaluate the effect of rain cover on various aspects of sweet cherry trees. The study found that the rain cover reduced solar radiation and increased air temperature and decreased relative humidity in the upper canopy zone. The trees under rain cover showed increased shoot length and leaf area, but negative effects on fruit firmness and sugar content were observed.
Article
Agronomy
Juan D. Villavicencio, Juan P. Zoffoli, Anne Plotto, Carolina Contreras
Summary: The study found that the occurrence of herbaceous flavor in Regina sweet cherries is mainly related to delayed ripening of cherries, the quantity and odor condition of volatile compounds, rainfall, and the elevation of orchards. To reduce the incidence of herbaceous flavor, preharvest practices that promote fruit ripening and avoiding early harvests are recommended.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alice Ann Wright, Madalyn K. Shires, Christopher Beaver, Garrett Bishop, S. Tianna DuPont, Ricardo Naranjo, Scott Harper
Summary: This study examined the physiological effects of Ca. P. pruni infection across different sweet cherry cultivars and locations in eastern Washington, revealing early and established stages of infection with correlation to disease severity. The effects of early-stage infections were indistinguishable from healthy plants, and cultivar- and location-specific disease outcomes were observed, including fruit size, color, sugar content, and citric acid content.
Article
Horticulture
Seanna Hewitt, Benjamin Kilian, Tyson Koepke, Jonathan Abarca, Matthew Whiting, Amit Dhingra
Summary: The study investigated the activation of pedicel-fruit abscission zone (PFAZ) in different sweet cherry cultivars, revealing significant variation in response among cultivars. The results provide genetic targets for manipulating PFAZ activation to facilitate mechanical harvesting and inform future cultivar development.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ana R. Nunes, Jose D. Flores-Felix, Ana C. Goncalves, Amilcar Falcao, Gilberto Alves, Luis R. Silva
Summary: This study explored the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial potential of different extracts from Portuguese cherries. The cherry by-products had no cytotoxic effect on cells, inhibited nitrite production, and exhibited good antioxidant activity. Leaf extracts showed the best antimicrobial activity.
Article
Plant Sciences
Boris Basile, Natalie Brown, Jose Miguel Valdes, Mariateresa Cardarelli, Pasquale Scognamiglio, Alessandro Mataffo, Youssef Rouphael, Paolo Bonini, Giuseppe Colla
Summary: The study investigated the impact of foliar application of a novel tropical-plant extract as a biostimulant on the yield and fruit quality of Kordia and Regina, two important commercial sweet cherry cultivars. Results showed significant increases in fruit yield in both cultivars and improvements in fruit quality attributes, suggesting the tropical-plant extract as a sustainable and effective alternative to synthetic hormones for sweet cherry cultivation.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Marinella De Leo, Anna Maria Iannuzzi, Maria Paola Germano, Valeria D'Angelo, Fabiano Camangi, Filippo Sevi, Gianfranco Diretto, Nunziatina De Tommasi, Alessandra Braca
Summary: This study compared the chemical composition and antiangiogenic activity of cherry fruits and petioles from six ancient Italian Prunus avium L. varieties. It was found that high levels of phenolic compounds were present in both fruits and petioles, with petiole extracts showing stronger radical scavenging activity due to their higher polyphenolic content. Certain varieties exhibited the best antiangiogenic response, with rutin and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside identified as the most promising bioactive compounds through bioinformatic studies. Sweet cherry varieties were confirmed as valuable sources of phenols with potential angiomodulator properties.
Article
Horticulture
Stephan Bell, Achim Kunz, Lutz Damerow, Michael Blanke
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of contamination on the reflective properties of groundcovers used in orchards for enhancing fruit colouration. The results showed that slight to moderate contamination improved light reflection for both visible and UV-B light. However, heavy contamination led to a decrease in light reflection.
Article
Horticulture
B. Guer, A. Kunz, M. Blanke
Summary: This study compared different methods for improving the fruit quality and colour in bi-coloured apple cultivars. The results showed that the biostimulant had the best effect on fruit colour improvement, followed by the reflective film, light summer pruning, and partial defoliation.
Article
Agronomy
Prud Netsawang, Lutz Damerow, Peter Schulze Lammers, Achim Kunz, Michael Blanke
Summary: This paper presents alternatives to chemical thinning in fruit orchards and investigates their effects on fruit quality, yield, and alternate bearing. Mechanical blossom thinning and the removal of flower clusters and/or cluster leaves were found to improve fruit size, weight, and return bloom.
Article
Agronomy
Erica Fadon, Hoa Do, Michael Blanke, Javier Rodrigo, Eike Luedeling
Summary: Temperate fruit trees in temperate regions are well-adapted to cold-winter climates by entering a dormant state in autumn and resuming growth in spring. We analyzed the agroclimatic requirements for blooming in three sweet cherry cultivars grown in different climates and found that flowering dates were influenced by chill exposure and warm conditions. Global warming had opposite effects on flowering dates depending on the location. Local climatic conditions appeared to play a significant role in the response of flowering dates to temperature.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Michael Blanke, Achim Kunz
Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of enriching soil organic carbon (SOC) and humus in fruit orchards as an ecosystem service. The results from a 50-year long-term fertiliser trial in Germany showed that frequent supply of organic matter was necessary to achieve humus enrichment and carbon sequestration in the soil.
Biographical-Item
Horticulture
Michael Blanke
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Michael M. M. Blanke
Summary: The use of plastics in horticulture was evaluated for its sustainability based on the triple Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycling) plus a re-place strategy, taking into account potential alternatives. Hail nets made of HD-PE, polytunnels of LD-PE, and solarisation mulches were considered relatively sustainable solutions without alternatives. Black mulch had the widest range of sustainable alternatives, while fleeces and reflective mulches had few options. Pilot recycling schemes like PolieCo(TM), MAPLA(TM), and ERDE(TM) showed success in collecting and retrieving agricultural plastics. Future sustainability perspectives include developing better biodegradable plastics, sprayable mulch, and using solar panels for hail nets and polytunnels.
Proceedings Paper
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
M. Blanke, A. Kunz
Summary: The study investigated changes in soil temperature in a fruit orchard based on long-term records, finding a 0.9 degrees C increase in summer and 1.2 degrees C increase in winter. Monthly breakdown showed the most significant increase in soil temperature in January, followed by February to April.
XXXI INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL CONGRESS, IHC2022: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON AGROECOLOGY AND SYSTEM APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTION
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
A. Engel, M. Blanke
Summary: This study aimed to investigate mitigation strategies to reduce herbicide input with the expected glyphosate ban. The results showed that naturally reduced weed population/vegetation has been observed in the herbicide strip under 'Elstar' apple trees cultivated organically or in IFP in a temperate climate zone. The light interception measurements indicated a statistically significant reduction in light availability in the tree strip under 'Elstar' compared to 'Golden Delicious'. The weed suppression in 'Elstar' orchards appears to be related to shading by the canopy of vigorous fruit trees.
XXXI INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL CONGRESS, IHC2022: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON AGROECOLOGY AND SYSTEM APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTION
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
A. Kunz, M. Blanke
Summary: The 55-year study on orchard management strategies at Klein-Altendorf, Germany, showed that the application of lime and organic fertiliser in orchards can improve soil pH, nutrient content, humus content, nitrogen mobilisation, and have the potential for carbon sequestration.
XXXI INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL CONGRESS, IHC2022: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON AGROECOLOGY AND SYSTEM APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTION
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Agricultural Engineering
S. Bell, P. Hess, S. Weber, A. Kunz, M. Blanke
Summary: To improve the red coloration of fruit, especially under hail nets, three alternatives to white woven reflective mulch were explored. Substituting the white ground cover with aluminum foil or spreading the white woven ground cover every other row can achieve good fruit coloring and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Soil contamination affects the reflection of light, with light to moderate contamination increasing reflection and strong contamination reducing reflection.
XII INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON INTEGRATING CANOPY, ROOTSTOCK AND ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY IN ORCHARD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Agricultural Engineering
S. Haaf, B. Althaus, A. Kunz, M. Blanke
Summary: This study compared the potential of using a reflective ground cover and a biostimulant to improve fruit quality in terms of coloration, firmness, sugar content, and starch breakdown. The reflective ground cover increased light reflection, improving peel coloration and fruit uniformity. The biostimulant retarded starch breakdown. Additionally, apple leaves exhibited higher diffuse light reflection, suggesting the beneficial effects of reflective mulches are due to direct and secondary light reflection pathways.
XII INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON INTEGRATING CANOPY, ROOTSTOCK AND ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY IN ORCHARD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Agricultural Engineering
L. A. Hillmann, M. Elsysy, N. Rothwell, M. Blanke, T. C. Einhorn
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between the developmental stages of sour cherry floral buds and their susceptibility to freezing, aiming to improve frost protection management and prediction accuracy.
XII INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON INTEGRATING CANOPY, ROOTSTOCK AND ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY IN ORCHARD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Agricultural Engineering
M. Schuesseler, M. Blanke
Summary: This study successfully identified russet on pear fruit peel in real-time using various non-invasive technologies, offering new possibilities for russet detection in different pear cultivars.
XII INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON INTEGRATING CANOPY, ROOTSTOCK AND ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY IN ORCHARD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Horticulture
Achim Kunz, Michael Blanke
Summary: Phenological records of apple and pear trees were correlated with weather records, showing the effects of climate change on temperature, flowering, and fruit ontogeny.