Nutritional management during fruit development is essential for cherry quality. Experts recommend foliar applications and fertigation at critical stages of the production cycle.
Fruit size and firmness are two decisive attributes for determining cherry quality and price in international markets. To achieve these parameters, nutrition plays a key role throughout the entire fruit development cycle.
Calcium is the most relevant nutrient for improving flesh firmness. It strengthens cell walls and reduces cracking issues, while also extending the fruit’s postharvest life. Calcium applications should be carried out from fruit set to shortly before harvest, preferably through foliar sprays with products such as calcium chloride or calcium nitrate.
Potassium is essential for increasing cherry size, as it supports sugar and water accumulation in the fruit. Its application is particularly critical during the pit-hardening stage and the final phase of fruit growth. Fertigation with potassium nitrate or potassium sulfate is one of the most efficient methods for supplying this element.
Boron also plays an important role in fruit quality, promoting pollination, fruit set and early development. A deficiency can lead to deformed and undersized fruit. Foliar boron applications should be carried out before flowering and during fruit set.
Nitrogen is necessary for vegetative growth and early fruit development, but it must be managed with care: excess nitrogen can reduce firmness and color, and increase the risk of cracking. It is recommended to apply it mainly in early spring and gradually reduce doses as harvest approaches.
Magnesium and zinc are micronutrients that also influence fruit size and overall quality. Magnesium is involved in photosynthesis and sugar production, while zinc plays a role in cell growth and hormone synthesis.
Specialists recommend leaf and soil analyses to accurately determine the nutritional needs of each orchard, taking into account variety, rootstock, soil type and climatic conditions.
Image source: SL Fruit Service
Dominique Barra
Report Agricola
05 Jan 2026
On 24 December, a local fruit grower explained that this year the trees were subjected to forced dormancy and heating earlier than usual, resulting in the cherries ripening about 10 days earlier than in previous years.
09 Jan 2025
On 16 December, the second cherry conference was successfully held at the Jiaxing Haiguangxing wholesale fruit market. The event was attended by representatives of Frutas de Chile, who received considerable attention.
23 Oct 2026
Spring rains in Chile have split early cherries in the north, while damage in O’Higgins, which accounts for over 80% of production, remains marginal so far. Growers are monitoring fungal disease, saturated soils and potential impacts on Chile’s 2026/27 cherry crop.
23 Oct 2026
Da 14 anni, il PMGCe della PUC in Cile seleziona varietà precoci di ciliegio, a basso fabbisogno in freddo e resistenti a caldo, siccità e cracking. Tre selezioni avanzate e 1.000 individui sono valutati in quattro siti: l’obiettivo è registrare una varietà entro il 2030.
