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.
Chile’s cherry industry keeps expanding with exports driven by China, but growers face critical threats: fruit cracking, unstable weather and billion-dollar losses. Producers and startups rely on integrated orchard strategies and biotech innovation to secure quality and competiti
The production of sour cherries in the Modena area (Italy) has strong and recognised identity and territorial characteristics; today mainly conducted according to extensive processes, it can benefit from an evolution towards more efficient and sustainable innovative systems.
A study on Kordia and Regina sweet cherries shows that Vidre+ stickers releasing 1-MCP reduce weight loss and stem browning while preserving firmness, vitamin C, polyphenols and antioxidant capacity during 21 days of cold storage at 2-3 °C, improving storage stability.
A biodegradable PBAT film with curcumin and laser microperforations improves sweet cherry storage by reducing browning, moisture loss and decay. It preserves firmness, aroma and freshness, extends shelf life and supports a cost-effective, sustainable packaging solution.