Spotted Wing Drosophila, a well-known pest that infests ripe, ready-to-eat fruit, poses a significant threat to farmers because it is very difficult to control with standard pesticides. A new approach to tackling this pest involves manipulating the behavior of these insects by disguising healthy fruit as if it were infected with an unappealing pathogen.
By studying the specific odors emitted by infected fruit, researchers have identified the chemicals that repel the flies when applied to healthy fruit and are developing a slow-release device to disperse these fruity odors in the field, ensuring that they do not come into direct contact with the fruit. This method provides a new tool to help farmers protect their crops without relying exclusively on insecticides.
Source: USDA
Image: USDA
16 Jul 2025
Carlos Tapia, Chilean technical advisor, calls on the cherry industry to prioritize quality, condition and strict production standards. Staying competitive requires advanced techniques, efficiency and cost control—without ever compromising on fruit size or quality.
22 Apr 2025
A Romanian study analyzes the correlation between fruit quality and cracking in three sweet cherry cultivars: Special, Tentant, and Severin. The results highlight significant differences in weight, pH, color, °Brix, and cracking index, with implications for varietal selection.
04 Aug 2026
A study conducted in Skardu, Pakistan, shows that postharvest dipping of sweet cherries in 1% calcium chloride helps preserve firmness, color, aroma, and microbiological quality, reducing waste and extending shelf life through distribution and retail, with better quality.
04 Aug 2026
In Chile, a three-year study conducted in Curicó shows that low-density plastic covers increase cherry size, protect orchards from frost and hail, and improve fruit quality, profitability and the international competitiveness of growers across Maule and Asian markets.
