Near-harvest solution delivers increased yields and greater control over fruit quality

21 Aug 2024
2335

With increasingly unpredictable and severe weather, cherry growers are facing heavier pressure to achieve yield targets and protect fruit quality for consumers. Harvista™ 1,3 SC, a near-harvest application product from AgroFresh, offers an innovative solution that helps growers take control of fruit quality and increase yield.

While results vary by region and variety, growers in Chile who completed two applications of Harvista, reported an average increase of 35% more cherries per branch and 15% more yield. Similar trials in Turkey ranged from an overall 36% yield increase to as high as 82%.* (*Results obtained in trials in Chile and Turkey in season 2022-2023. Results may vary).

“Harvista is a growth regulator based on 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), and when applied to cherry trees at between 10 and 50% bloom, it interrupts the negative impacts of ethylene during flowering,” said AgroFresh Chief Technology Officer Duncan Aust. “This interruption allows more flowers to develop into fruit and keeps cherries on the tree for longer, reducing cherry drop and waste and increasing yield and income potential."

In addition to yield and quality improvements, Harvista gives growers greater flexibility in harvest timing. “Customers looking for solutions to help improve their cherry quality and increase control of their harvest can find both by using Harvista™ 1,3 SC,” said Marek Grzęda, technical manager for the company’s Europe and Middle East markets.

“As part of an integrated, data-driven system, Harvista™ 1,3 SC can improve flowering cherry trees with fruiting problems. This allows growers to optimize their yield and revenue potential.

Currently, AgroFresh has a presence in more than 50 countries with experts sharing knowledge and data across regions to solve challenges. The company is commercializing Harvista with great success for cherries in Turkey, the United States and Chile. Contact your regulatory agency or your local AgroFresh account manager to determine product registration in your country.

AgroFresh has a wide near- and post-harvest portfolio for cherries, including liquid fungicides (ActiSeal™ and Scholar) to protect the fruit during transport and storage and a disinfectant (FreshStart™) to help decrease contaminants in water treatment and help make water recycling more efficient and less costly. Additionally, the digital solution (FreshCloud™ Inspection) digitizes the formerly manual quality control process by capturing, organizing and analyzing quality metrics in real-time. 

For more details about Harvista and other ways AgroFresh is helping customers produce abundant, sustainable, quality fresh produce, be sure to check AgroFresh.com.

Source: AgroFresh
Image: AgroFresh; SL Fruit Service


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Secondary metabolites in buds: a clue to bud break

Tech management Production

09 Oct 2023

The results validate the biological activity in buds during the winter period. Although it is evident that ABA has a distinct temporal shift following the release of endo-dormancy, it emerges as the main metabolite responsible for the eco-dormancy phase.

Australian season kicks off: growers are confident in the 'Victorian season' 2023

Press review

07 Sep 2023

The Victorian cherry season starts at the beginning of November and reaches good volumes by the middle of the month, continuing until after Christmas including a long festive season - a perfect match for festivals and gifts. The season lasts about 100 days.

In evidenza

Dwarfing rootstocks and water stress in cherry trees: physiological responses and post-harvest irrigation management

Rootstocks

03 Feb 2026

Which rootstocks to choose for cherry trees in dry climates? A study in Hungary compares MaxMa 14, GiSelA 6, and WeiGi 2, showing key differences in water stress response. Learn which rootstock ensures sustainable cherry growing under water-limited conditions.

Biological support in cherry orchards is essential in the post-harvest phase

Tech management

03 Feb 2026

Post-harvest cherry management in Chile is key to next season’s fruit quality. Irrigation, organic nutrition, soil microbes and integrated systems are transforming orchards with regenerative agriculture to ensure productivity and sustainability.

Tag Popolari