Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/64944
Cherries Effects on FRUIT QUALITY? A s part of her cherry cracking research, Dr. Ines Hanrahan of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission has looked at anti-splitting materials and their effect on fruit quality, pitting, and compatibility with gibberellic acid (GA) applications. Generally, none of the spray materials tested between 2008 and 2011 caused any negative effects on harvest or postharvest fruit quality, she reported during the Northwest Cherry Institute annual meeting, and she occasionally saw improvement in fruit quality. In three trials (two blocks of Skeena and one of Bing), GA was used at low rates—20 parts per million or less—by itself or tank mixed with RainGard, and applied one to three times. She found no effect from RainGard on the efficacy of GA. For pitting, the GA and GA/RainGard combinations improved the percentage Cracking susceptibility by cherry variety HIGH Bing Early Robin Van Tieton MEDIUM Rainier Sweetheart Santina? 8011-3? Skeena SOURCE: Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission Ines Hanrahan of clean fruit in all but one location. Additionally, Hanrahan has collected data to rate varieties in terms of high, medium or low susceptibility to crack- ing. Skeena has been found to be very susceptible— the variety has cracked in her trials, even without rain. Varieties highly susceptible to cracking are Bing, LOW Regina Lapins? Early Robin, Van, Tieton, and Skeena. Of medium sus- ceptibility are Rainier, Sweetheart, and possibly San- tina and 8011-3, a Washington State University selection from the cherry breeding program. At low risk are Regina, and possibly Lapins. She will continue to collect efficacy data on differ- ent materials and plans to collect postharvest fruit quality data from fruit run over a commercial packing line in the coming year. —M. Hansen Kaligreen ® High Speed Powdery Mildew Control Put an end to powdery mildew with Kaligreen _ a highly effective fungicide that works on contact. Kaligreen can be used in organic and conventional production on a wide range of crops. It is also proven to be more effective at removing powdery mildew than sulfur. Excellent on tree and vine crops Can be used alone or tank mixed with most crop protection/ nutrition products Improved foliar contact and adhesion Get an expert's opinion. Talk to your crop consultant about Kaligreen today. Grow with Brandt.co The proud sponsor of the #31 Chevrolet driven by NASCAR Nationwide Series championship ontender, Justin Allgaier. Kaligreen is a registered trademark of Otsuka AgriTechno Co., Ltd. Monterey AgResources P.O. Box 35000 Fresno, California 93745 559 499 2100 www.brandtmonterey.co www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER MAY 15, 2012 29