Vaccine that prevents cherries from splitting

Cherries are sensitive to skin damage, especially due to the effects of rain, a phenomenon known as cracking or splitting. Eventual damages affect up to 80% of the fruits due to the rainfall during the ripening stage, according to Cristián Balbontín, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Institute - INIA, Quilamapu (Chile).

On February 25, in the International Cherry Conference, organized by the Portuguese University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, and which was born from an initiative of the European Association for Agricultural Innovation (EIP-AGRI), the researcer presented a vaccine that prevents cherries from splitting caused by rains.

In addition to Balbontín, the 6 exhibitors from the Czech Republic, Croatia and Portugal has participated. The event was held via Zoom.

The INIA researcher commented that although there are varieties of cherries that are more tolerant to rain, the main varieties grown in Chile are susceptible to splitting.

During the presentation, the expert addressed the impact of the hormones abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate on the prevention of cracking in cherries.

According to Balbontín, the different combinations of these hormones were tested in different seasons at different stages of fruit development. He explained that by applying this vaccine early, in specific doses, water damage can be reduced by up to 80%.

source: radioudec.cl