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
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A study by the Universities of Padua and Perugia explores the biotechnological potential of Prunus cerasus var. Marasca, a Croatian sour cherry used for Maraschino, highlighting flavanones such as naringenin and its promising nutraceutical industrial applications.
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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
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The study compares MAP and controlled atmosphere storage for Rainier, Bing, Skeena and Sweetheart sweet cherries, assessing firmness, stem quality, weight loss and postharvest disorders to identify effective strategies for maintaining fruit quality for long-term storage.
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Effective sweet cherry postharvest management protects the canopy, reduces heat stress and restores tree reserves. Balanced irrigation, selective summer pruning and targeted nutrition prepare trees for dormancy while supporting bloom, fruit set and next season’s crop.
