Search Results (83)

To ensure the year-round efficient production of high-quality cherry tomatoes, this study evaluated how four cherry tomato cultivars can enhance yield and quality through optimized nutrient solution and supplementary lighting. Nutrient solutions (N1 and N2) were adjusted, with EC at 1.6 dS/m (N1: nitrogen 10.7 me/L, phosphorus 2.7 me/L, potassium 5.3 me/L) during flowering stage, and 2.4 dS/m (N1: nitrogen 16 me/L, phosphorus 4 me/L, potassium 8 me/L; N2: nitrogen 10.7 me/L, phosphorus 5.4 me/L, potassium 10.8 me/L) from fruit setting to harvest. N1 used standard adjustments, while N2 was optimized by adding solely with KCl and KH₂PO₄. Lighting treatments included L1 (natural light) and L2 (supplemental red/blue light). The application of N2 effectively decreased nitrate levels while it significantly enhanced the content of soluble sugars, flavor, and overall palatability, especially fruit coloring in cherry tomatoes, irrespective of supplementary lighting conditions. However, such optimization also increased sourness or altered the sugar–acid ratio. Supplementary lighting generally promoted the accumulation of soluble sugars, sweetness, and tomato flavor, although its effects varied markedly among different fruit clusters. The combination of optimized nutrient solutions and supplementary lighting exhibited synergistic effects, improving the content of soluble sugars, vitamin C, proteins, and flavor. N1 combined with L2 achieved the highest plant yield. Among the cultivars, ‘Linglong’ showed the greatest overall quality improvement, followed by ‘Baiyu’, ‘Miying’, and ‘Moka’. In conclusion, supplementary lighting can enhance the effect of nitrogen on yield and amplify the influence of phosphorus and potassium on fruit quality improvement in cherry tomatoes. The findings of this study may serve as a theoretical basis for the development of year-round production techniques for high-quality cherry tomatoes. Full article

Surface pitting is a key postharvest disorder in sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) that reduces visual quality and shortens shelf life. A three-year study evaluated 35 sweet cherry accessions (32 breeding lines, 3 cultivars) to assess the role of genotype, fruit quality traits, and storage treatments in minimizing pitting damage. Mechanical damage-induced surface pitting was quantified using a resistance index (RI), which ranged from 1.31 ± 0.26 (‘10072’) to 2.72 ± 0.45 (‘16806’), highlighting strong genotypic differences. Fruit firmness showed a strong negative correlation with the resistance index (RI) (r = −0.606). In contrast, soluble solids content (SSC) and fruit size had weak or non-significant correlations with RI, with correlation coefficients of r = −0.022 and r = −0.070, respectively. Only in the second harvest, ultra-low oxygen (ULO) storage resulted in the lowest RI (2.35 ± 0.13). Pre- and post-treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) gave similar results (2.50 ± 0.06 and 2.50 ± 0.15). Ozone pre-treatment was moderately effective (2.66 ± 0.14). Ozone post-treatment had the highest RI (2.85 ± 0.08). The results emphasize the importance of applying protective treatments prior to mechanical damage-induced surface pitting and selecting genotypes with high firmness and storage stability. This study provides a comprehensive framework for breeding and storage conditions aimed at reducing surface pitting in sweet cherries. Full article

This study investigates the relationships among fruit quality traits, cracking susceptibility, and bioactive compounds in sweet cherries. Eleven genotypes collected from Northern Anatolia and two standard cultivars were evaluated. Key fruit characteristics were measured, and novel machine learning algorithms were applied to identify associations between variables. A negative correlation was found between the cracking index and fruit weight (r = −0.23), while a positive correlation was observed with total soluble solids (TSS) (r = 0.29). Furthermore, TSS was positively correlated with stem thickness (r = 0.67). Machine learning analyses indicated that DPPH and anthocyanin content were the most influential factors associated with the cracking index. A hybrid analytical pipeline was developed by integrating Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction, Random Forest regression for nonlinear prediction and Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) for interpretability. This triad offers a robust and replicable framework for trait-dissection studies in horticultural phenotyping, enabling deeper insights into complex trait interactions. These findings suggest that, beyond their recognized health benefits, bioactive compounds also positively contribute to fruit quality parameters. The results provide valuable insights for future sweet cherry breeding programs aimed at improving both nutritional and physical fruit traits. Full article

The transition to ripening in non-climacteric species is governed by several signals, including hormones that enhance or counteract the abscisic acid (ABA)-promoting effect. The SQUAMOSA Promoter-binding protein-Like (SPL) transcription factors are involved in ripening through the modulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis. In sweet cherry fruits, several miR156-targeted PavSPLs are expressed before and during ripening. Recently, some PavSPLs were found in the transition from development to ripening in cultivars contrasting in maturity time. Additionally, several forms of miR156 were expressed in sweet cherry seeds of an early-season cultivar. In this work, we addressed the relevance of endocarp lignification and PavSPLs expression for the transition to ripening. First, we characterized early- and late-season sweet cherry cultivars, ‘Celeste’ and ‘Regina’, focusing on fruit and seed development, endocarp lignification, and PavSPL expression profile. Fruit growth dynamics revealed an earlier onset of color development and lignification in ‘Celeste’, while ‘Regina’ exhibited a prolonged lag phase and delayed embryo development. Transcript profiling at the light green stage showed a higher expression of PavSPL genes in fruits and identified cultivar-specific expressions, especially between ‘Regina’ and ‘Celeste’ seeds. Co-expression networks linked PavSPLs to genes involved in lignin and anthocyanin biosynthesis. We focused on PavSPL2 and PavSPL9, which were targeted by mtr-miR156a and gma-miR156f. Both PavSPLs and miRNAs were expressed in fruits and seeds at the yellow stage, an advanced point in the transition to ripening in sweet cherry. Exogenous application of auxin-related compounds in the mid-season cultivar ‘Lapins’ modulated endocarp lignification and pigmentation. Notably, p-IBA treatment, which enzymatically targets the lignin pathway, transiently increased anthocyanin accumulation and reduced lignin deposition, effects that correlated with the downregulation of PavSPL gene expression. These findings highlight the interplay between lignification, color evolution, and pigment biosynthesis during the transition from development to ripening in sweet cherry fruits, and suggest a role for PavSPL genes in this transition. Full article

Little cherry disease (LCD) and X-disease have critically impacted the Pacific Northwest sweet cherry (Prunus avium) industry. Current detection methods rely on laborious visual scouting or molecular analyses. This study evaluates the suitability of field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) for rapid detection of LCD and X-disease infection in three sweet cherry cultivars (‘Benton’, ‘Cristalina’, and ‘Tieton’) at the post-harvest stage. Stem cuttings with leaves were collected from commercial orchards and greenhouse trees. FAIMS operated at 1.5 L/min and 50 kPa, was used for headspace analysis. Molecular analyses confirmed symptomatic and asymptomatic samples. FAIMS data were processed for ion current sum (I_sum), maximum ion current (I_max), and area under the curve (I_AUC). Symptomatic samples showed higher ion currents in specific FAIMS regions (p < 0.05), with clear differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic samples across compensation voltage and dispersion field ranges. Cultivar-specific variation was also observed in the data. FAIMS spectra for LCD/X-disease symptomatic samples differed from those for asymptomatic samples in other Prunus species, such as peach and nectarines. These findings support FAIMS as a potential diagnostic tool for LCD/X disease. Further studies with controlled variables and key growth stages are recommended to realize early-stage detection. Full article

The efficacy of sweet cherry production is highly dependent on the regularity of flowering events and genetic-determined relations between female sporophyte and male gametophyte, which became even more important with higher flowering temperatures caused by climate change. Special attention is paid to the genetic diversity that provides essential sources of potential temperature-tolerance genes. Our study aimed at the genetic and reproductive characterization of Balkan cherry cultivars of autochthonous origin (‘Canetova’, ‘G-2’, ‘Dolga Šiška’ and ‘Ohridska Crna’), and six potential pollenizers. To identify S-haplotypes, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to detect the S-ribonuclease (S-RNase) and S-haplotype-specific F-box protein (SFB) alleles, combined with fragment analysis and S-RNase sequencing. Pollination experiments were performed at three Balkan localities over two flowering seasons, and the fluorescence microscopy method was used to assess the cultivars’ male/female reproductive behaviour. A novel S-RNase allele S₄₀ was identified in ‘Ohridska Crna’ for the first time. ‘Ohridska Crna’ also demonstrated the best adaptability to higher temperatures regarding primary ovule longevity. This feature makes it desirable from the aspect of breeding new cultivars that can withstand the impacts of climate change. The findings on male-female relations and their temperature dependence open up the possibility for yield prediction and smart horticultural decisions that can be made to guide cherry production. Full article

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), renowned for its vibrant color and distinctive flavor, enjoys widespread popularity and is planted in temperate climates. This study investigated four short-chilling requirement cultivars in southeast China, which is known as a subtropical climate region, and determined several key fruit qualities, such as color, size, weight, and nutrient attributes (e.g., vitamin C, soluble sugar, organic acid, protein, gibberellin, and brassinolide) at four maturities due to the climate’s effect on the fruit color and the main color substance: anthocyanin accumulation. Therefore, the color index (a*, b*, and L*) and anthocyanin content were determined, and the anthocyanin-related gene expression was quantitative and analyzed using WGCNA. The results showed that the red variety, ‘Jiangnanhong’, exhibited the highest fruit weight and diameter as well as the greatest concentration of cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C3R). Conversely, the yellow variety, ‘Chaoyang 1’, demonstrated higher L* and b* values along with a greater vitamin C content. The research confirmed that C3R is the predominant anthocyanin present in sweet cherries during ripening. Additionally, three genes—LOC110744862, LOC110749842, and LOC110753376—were identified as playing crucial roles in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Anthocyanins significantly influence both the visual appeal and nutritional quality of the fruit. These results provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the differences among sweet cherry varieties in southeast China. Full article

This study evaluated the impact of deficit irrigation during preharvest on the physiological and productive responses of ‘Regina’/Gisela 6 sweet cherry. After harvest, deficit-irrigated trees were water recovered, and physiological variables were measured. Fruit condition was evaluated after 45 days of cold storage. The experiment was carried out during the 2023–2024 season in an orchard located in La Araucanía, Chile. At 37 days after starting treatment (DAST), deficit irrigation (DI) depressed stem water potential (Ψ_s), photosynthesis (A^sat), stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO₂ concentration with respect to controls (WI). Findings suggest that stomatal behavior was near-anisohydric on a temporal scale. Carbon partitioning into sorbitol was favored over sucrose in DI leaves, indicating improved osmoprotection. At 51 DAST, water-recovered DI trees had a Ψ_s equivalent to WI trees but lower A^sat. Chlorophylls (SPAD) remained unaffected throughout the trial. Treatments produced similar yields, whereas DI inhibited trunk cross-sectional area growth. The DI treatment had no effect on any of the fruit quality traits other than size. Similarly, fruit condition following 45 days of cold storage was not influenced by reduced irrigation. The physiological and productive responses of ‘Regina’/Gisela 6 sweet cherry trees to preharvest deficit irrigation increased water productivity in the field. Full article

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is an economically important and profitable stone fruit species grown in the temperate and subtropical climates, bearing fruits with unique flavour and nutritional benefits. There is also a long tradition of sweet cherry breeding in the Czech Republic. We report here the evaluation of economically important fruit and vegetative characters in 27 sweet cherry cultivars grown in the Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology (RBIP) in the genebank plantation. The cultivars were evaluated phenotypically using standard descriptors for sweet cherries. Established cultivars ‘Burlat’ (early ripening) and ‘Kordia’ (late ripening) were included in the study as commercial standards. The cultivar ‘Früheste der Mark’ was used as the earliest cultivar of the sweet cherry season. The results presented in this study demonstrate the high diversity of the analyzed sweet cherry germplasm. The cultivars ‘Horka’, ‘Justyna’, and ‘Sandra’ stood out in terms of fruit size and taste quality. The evaluated newly bred Czech sweet cherry cultivars are broadly described at the end of the presented paper. Full article

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a highly valued fruit crop in Italy, but its production is challenged by environmental stresses, particularly rain-induced cracking, which significantly affects yield and quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of foliar applications of calcium and potassium salts in reducing cracking and enhancing the overall quality and shelf-life of the sweet cherry cultivar “Regina”. The experiment was conducted in a commercial orchard in Piedmont, Italy, where the foliar application was studied across various parameters, including shoot growth, fruit yield, cracking incidence, and post-harvest quality during a 14-day storage period at 2 °C and 75% RH. Results showed that foliar treatments improved vegetative growth and increased the proportion of marketable fruit within the desirable Ø 28 mm size category. Moreover, treated fruits exhibited reduced cracking, reduced weight loss, and higher firmness during storage. Antioxidant activity and anthocyanin content were also better preserved in treated cherries since the day of the harvest. These findings indicate that foliar applications of macro- and micro-nutrients can mitigate cracking and improve the post-harvest performance of sweet cherries, providing a practical strategy to increase both yield and fruit quality in regions with adverse weather conditions. Full article

Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae is the main causal agent of bacterial canker in sweet cherry in Chile, causing significant economic losses. Cultivars exhibit diverse susceptibility in the field and the molecular mechanisms underlying the differential responses remain unclear. RNA-seq analysis was performed to characterize the transcriptomic response in cultivars Santina and Bing (less and more susceptible to P. syringae pv. syringae, respectively) after 1 and 7 days post-inoculation (dpi) with the bacterium. Symptoms of bacterial canker became evident from the fifth day. At 1 dpi, cultivar Santina showed a faster response to infection and a larger number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) than cultivar Bing. At 7 dpi, cultivar Bing almost doubled its DEGs, while cultivar Santina tended to the normal DEG levels. P. syringae pv. syringae infection downregulated the expressions of key genes of the photosynthesis process at 1 dpi in the less susceptible cultivar. The results suggest that the difference in susceptibility to P. syringae pv. syringae is linked to the timeliness of pathogen recognition, limiting the bacteria’s dispersion through modeling its cell wall, and regulation of genes encoding photosynthesis pathway. Through this study, it has been possible to progress the knowledge of relevant factors related to the susceptibility of the two studied cherry cultivars to P. syringae pv. syringae. Full article

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a valuable fruit crop for fresh consumption. Due to its early availability in season, it achieves relatively high prices on the market. Self-fertile cultivar Lapins is one of the world’s leading sweet cherry varieties. Intensive cherry production seeks for new technologies such as using more adaptable rootstocks and microbiological products that could help plants adopt more sustainable growth in different soils/climates. The aim of this work is to determine the substrate properties, vegetative growth, leaf chlorophyll and mineral content of maiden trees grafted on three different rootstocks due to the application of growth-promoting rhizobacteria. A pot experiment was carried out on one-year-old maiden trees of cv. Lapins grafted on SL 64, MaxMa 14 and Gisela 5 and grown in 12 L plant pots filled with commercial substrate. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Azospirillum brasilense was added by watering the plants with 1.12 g L⁻¹ per pot once a month (T₁) or every two months (T₂) from March to September with seven treatments in T₁ and four treatments in T₂. At the same time, control (C) plants were watered with rainwater. Plant height, trunk circumference and leaf chlorophyll content index (CCI) were measured. In addition, shoot growth and internode number were measured in three development stages (BBCH 34, 39 and 91). The substrate and leaf samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory in accordance with established procedures. Data were processed by ANOVA and the Tukey test. Results have showed that rootstock affected substrate electrical conductivity (EC); nitrate (NO₃⁻), phosphorous (P₂O₅), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) content, including mineral nitrogen (N) content; tree height, circumference, shoot length and internode number; the leaf chlorophyll content index (CCI); and leaf potassium (K), Ca and Mg content. Furthermore, treatment significantly affected the CCI, average internode length, ammonia (NH₄⁺) and Ca content in the substrate and leaf N, Ca and Mg content. Rhizobacteria A. brasilense can be used as an additional biofertilizer in sustainable agricultural practices for obtaining healthier sweet cherry maiden trees, but microbial biotechnology rules must be respected. Full article

In the past, the Silk Road was a vital trade route that spanned Eurasia, connecting East Asia to the Mediterranean Sea. The genus Prunus, belonging to the Rosaceae family and encompassing plums, peaches, apricots, cherries, and almonds, thrived as human travel along the Silk Road increased. The majority of fruits within this genus, whether wild or cultivated, are naturally sweet and easily preserved by drying for storage and transport. The interaction along the Silk Road between wild populations and diverse varieties of Prunus fruits led to the development of various hybrids. This article provides a summary of archaeological findings related to prominent Prunus fruits such as peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, and almonds, shedding light on their evolutionary history, genetic diversity, population structure, and historical dynamics crucial for species conservation. The origins of biodiversity may involve factors like migration of pre-adapted lineages, in situ variation, or the persistence of ancestral lineages. Furthermore, climate change is affecting spatial genetic patterns and potentially further threatening rare Prunus species. Evaluating the scope and composition of genetic diversity within germplasm collections is essential for enhancing plant breeding initiatives and preserving genetic resources in this changing context. From a molecular point of view, techniques such as genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and genes responsible for phenotypic changes in cultivars and germplasm collections should be of great interest in these breeding programs, while genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) derived from genome-wide DNA polymorphism information can facilitate the selection of superior genotypes. Full article

Drosophila suzukii is a major pest of sweet cherries. In this study, we evaluated its oviposition preferences across six cherry cultivars and assessed the effects of the fruit traits on its growth and development. Significant differences in the color, firmness, and sugar content were observed among the cultivars and ripeness stages. The highest oviposition rates were recorded for the “Hongdeng” (HD) and “Burlat” (BLT) cultivars in both the non-choice (HD: 31.9 ± 2.0 eggs/cherry; BLT: 31.3 ± 1.9 eggs/cherry) and choice (HD: 32.4 ± 3.2 eggs/cherry; BLT: 27.6 ± 1.9 eggs/cherry) tests, largely influenced by the fruit color. While the developmental parameters showed slight variation across the cultivars, significant differences were observed in the pupation rates (ranging from 0.80 to 0.89) and survival rates (ranging from 0.51 to 0.62), with both parameters being the highest for the “Hongdeng” cultivar. The correlation analysis revealed that a darker fruit color—characterized by lower lightness (L*), lower chromaticity (b*), and a higher color index for red grapes (CIRG)—positively influenced the oviposition and pupation rates. Although the other correlations were not significant, the oviposition and developmental parameters were positively correlated with sweetness and negatively correlated with firmness. These findings enhance our understanding of how cherry traits influence D. suzukii behavior, providing critical insights for pest management strategies in cherry production. Full article

Fruit firmness in sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) is a critical quality parameter highly valued by consumers as it is associated with fruit freshness. In general, firm fruit also cope better with storage and handling. Gibberellic acid (GA) is commonly used by sweet cherry producers to increase firmness, soluble solids content and fruit size. This study evaluated the effects of GA on the rheological properties of sweet cherry fruit at harvest and postharvest storage. Specifically, GA’s influence on susceptibility to mechanical damage during handling was evaluated. The following GA treatments were applied to two sweet cherry cultivars ‘Bing’ and ‘Lapins’: T0, control, T30—GA at 15 ppm applied at pit-hardening and straw-colour stages; T45—GA at 25 ppm at pit-hardening and GA at 20 ppm at straw-colour; and T60—GA at 30 ppm applied at pit-hardening and straw-colour. The results indicate that GA delayed harvest by two to four days in both cultivars, with ‘Lapins’ also showing a significant increase in fruit size. Regardless of spray concentration, GA increased the modulus of elasticity and fruit resistance evaluated as stress at the maximum point at harvest. These effects persisted after 35 days of storage at 0 °C and an additional three days of shelf-life at 15 °C. While the strain or deformation capacity of the fruit at bioyield at harvest was constant across treatments, it was, however, lower in the GA-treated fruit than in the controls during storage at 0 °C under the high-humidity conditions of modified atmosphere packaging. The less mature fruit harvested at colour 3.0 (red/mahogany) were stiffer (reduced deformation) and more sensitive to induced mechanical injury than the fruit harvested later at colour 3.5 (mahogany). The GA treatments increased fruit resistance to damage without increasing tissue deformability. Other questions associated with stiffer tissues and lower deformability during storage at 0 °C under high humidity should be further studied, specifically cultivars that are naturally high in box-cracking sensitivity during storage. Full article