French genome-wide association studies identify 65 SNP-trait associations

Press review

07 Mar 2024

Using 116 sweet cherry accessions, researchers analysed 23 agronomic fruit quality traits. The research uses genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to identify genetic markers associated with improved fruit quality.

New discoveries for the control of Drosophila suzukii: research advances from the UK

Crop protection

07 Mar 2024

According to the NIAB (UK) research centre, future research should focus on complementary control strategies in integrated pest management and control automation, while creating new skills and techniques in the industry.

Chilean project aims to predict flowering date to curb climate change

Press review

06 Mar 2024

The Fondecyt 2024 project, assigned by Professor Eduardo Fernández, will be implemented nationwide, with around 40 orchards and also with consultants and research centres related to the topic, creating a collaboration strategy directly applicable to their orchards.

Post-Chinese New Year: imports fall sharply, but quality and volume of domestic production rise

Markets

06 Mar 2024

After the Chinese New Year, imported cherries gradually disappeared from the Chinese market. The first crop of cherries produced in the Dalian greenhouses has been on the market for some time and the price has remained high, even 1-2 times more expensive than Chilean cherries.

Adverse weather, but high quality cherries: Walter Masman's view of the Chilean season

Press review

05 Mar 2024

This season was characterised by fruits of good size, texture and flavour. However, the varieties most affected by the weather were the early varieties, says Masman, who points out that in cold conditions, Santina was the most affected variety.

The pruning period can affect the spread of bacterial cancer

Crop protection

05 Mar 2024

Youfu Zhao recommends pruning in summer whenever possible and switching from sprinkler to drip irrigation to keep the orchard drier. For larger trees, it is possible to cut back the cankers, Zhao said, but this is fatal for young trees.

Triumph and challenges: Chile's contribution to the global cherry season in Decofrut's report

Press review

04 Mar 2024

Despite a slight 1% drop in shipments compared to the previous year, over 413,000 tonnes of cherries were shipped worldwide. The Far East was confirmed as the main destination, with China taking 97% of the total.

Grasshopper study in Washington could solve X-disease related problems

Crop protection

04 Mar 2024

"We are trying to understand how X-disease pathogen exploits the grasshopper to facilitate its life cycle," said William Walker, USDA geneticist. "This could provide us with forms of disruption, such as biopesticides, to halt the insect's life cycle."

Drosophila suzukii, hope from the sterile insect technique (SIT)

Crop protection

01 Mar 2024

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is based on the flooding of sterilised males of the species by ionising X-ray irradiation. SIT has been used successfully in the past against other key pests, e.g. the fruit fly.

Monitoring bud temperatures to prevent damage from spring frosts

Press review

29 Feb 2024

Knowing the critical temperature at which buds are killed is crucial for taking timely action against frost. Cold hardiness models use air temperature as a predictive factor for specific critical temperatures of the cultivar.