How does fruit quality changes inside the tree?

23 Aug 2024
1122

Consumer preference for sweet cherries is mainly determined by their flavour and colour, but in recent years it has also been influenced by their nutritional value and the presence of bioactive compounds, including anthocyanins, polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins C and E and antioxidants.

In addition, an increasing number of consumers focus on the sustainability of the entire production chain, including the balance between resource input and yield, impact on the environment, nutritional value of products and respect for workers' rights. Among these, physico-chemical studies are essential for the effective management of pre-harvest and harvest technologies in global cherry production.

Knowing, for example, how the quality of cherries varies within the same tree could change harvesting and sorting procedures. It was precisely these premises that guided researchers from the University of Naples Federico II (Italy), the University of Life Sciences in Iasi and the Research Station for Fruit Growing in Iasi (Romania).

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of cultivar and fruit position within the tree canopy during the pre-ripening or full ripening phases on the quality parameters of organically grown cherries. In 2022 and 2023, research was conducted at the experimental field of the Research Station for Fruit Growing in Iasi, north-eastern Romania.

The investigation looked at three cultivars: Van, Andreias and Margonia. Van is a highly productive and early variety, originating in Canada. It produces medium-large fruits (7.5-8.5 g), globular in shape, bright red in colour, with fragile pink-red flesh and a sweet and sour flavour.

Two new sweet cherry cultivars, Andreiaș and Margonia, have been developed and certified at the Research Station for Fruit Growing in Iași. The Andreiaș cultivar produces large, cordiform, red-brown, almost black fruits when fully ripe, weighing 8.5-9.5 g. The Margonia cultivar, on the other hand, produces yellow, cordiform fruits, slightly flattened and elongated at the tip, with an average weight of 8.0-9.0 g.

Quality indices highly valued by consumers, including the content of soluble sugars, vitamin C, carotenoids and anthocyanins, increased as the fruit ripened and changed colour. However, the pre-ripening stage of the fruit contained a higher concentration of polyphenolic compounds.

The quality parameters were significantly altered by the biochemical processes involved in the ripening process of the fruit. These changes were mainly influenced by the variation in seasonal weather conditions and cultivar, as well as the position of the fruit within the tree canopy.

The position within the canopy had a greater impact only on the dry matter content at pre-harvest, where a higher value was noted in fruits positioned in the outer part of the canopy. At harvest, on the other hand, the quality parameters were similar regardless of the position on the tree.

An influence was noted only on the polyphenol and vitamin C content, which had higher values in the outermost fruits. Fruits of the locally developed Andreias cultivar were the richest in antioxidants. This result suggests that this cultivar could be included in selection strategies within an organic management programme.

Fonte: Mineață, I.; Murariu, O.C.; Sîrbu, S.; Tallarita, A.V.; Caruso, G.; Jităreanu, C.D. Effects of Ripening Phase and Cultivar under Sustainable Management on Fruit Quality and Antioxidants of Sweet Cherry. Horticulturae 2024, 10, 720. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070720.
Immagine: SL Fruit Service

Melissa Venturi
University of Bologna (IT)


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Assessing root architecture with radar and artificial intelligence

Tech management

06 Aug 2024

A study at the University of Michigan (USA) analysed the roots of orchard trees in full production using an 800 MHz GPR antenna. The resulting images were processed with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to extract root patterns.

Performance of the Super Slender Axe (SSA) training system on Gisela 6 and MaxMa14 rootstocks

Planting systems

04 Sep 2024

The objective of a Turkish research was to compare the performance of the cultivar ‘0900 Ziraat’ on two different rootstocks in terms of phenological characteristics, fruit quality, yield, harvest and pruning times, modelled with the SSA training system.

In evidenza

Jujuy leads the way: South America's first fresh cherries harvested in September

Production

07 Oct 2025

On September 30, the first fresh cherries of the season were harvested in Jujuy, Argentina. This historic milestone opens a new production window for export, thanks to advanced agronomic practices, ultra-early cherry varieties, and unique microclimate and ideal local conditions.

Corette rootstocks: the new frontier of modern high-density cherry growing

Rootstocks

07 Oct 2025

The new Corette rootstock series is reshaping cherry cultivation: rusticity, heat and drought resistance, and adaptability to high-density orchards. Cass, Crawford, and Lake offer earliness, fruit quality, yield, and sustainability for a truly competitive cherry future.

Tag Popolari