Effect of gibberellic acid on fruit cracking and quality of Bing and Sam sweet cherries

Abstract

Rain-induced cracking of sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) is a major problem in many cherry growing regions throughout the world. One method to reduce cracking is to grow cracking resistant cultivars; however, no completely effective control measures are currently available to eliminate this problem. Studies conducted in New Zealand to test the ameliorating properties of gibberellic acid sprays to reduce cracking were examined. The results revealed that repeated or singular foliar applications at 10 or 40 mg L-1 gibberellic acid (GA3), respectively, increased both fruit cracking, and fruit firmness, but delayed fruit colour development. Key words: Prunus avium, cherry splitting, cracking