Vol. 37 No. 4 (2023):
Short note

Use of the biostimulant Retard Cherry® as a strategy to delay blooming period in sweet cherry trees

J.A. Yuri
Centro de Pomáceas, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile.
M. Palma
Centro de Pomáceas, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile.
Á. Sepúlveda
Centro de Pomáceas, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile.
J. Sánchez-Contreras
Centro de Pomáceas, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile.
M. Moya
Centro de Pomáceas, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile.

Published 2024-01-18

Keywords

  • Bloom,
  • frost damage,
  • fruit set,
  • global warming,
  • phenology,
  • Prunus avium L.
  • ...More
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How to Cite

Yuri, J. A., Palma, M., Sepúlveda, Álvaro, Sánchez-Contreras, J., & Moya, M. (2024). Use of the biostimulant Retard Cherry® as a strategy to delay blooming period in sweet cherry trees. Advances in Horticultural Science, 37(4), 427–432. https://doi.org/10.36253/ahsc-13659

Abstract

Spring frosts are a limiting factor in sweet cherry production in central-southern Chile. Sweet cherry trees cv. ‘Regina’ and ‘Sweetheart’ were studied to evaluate the effect of foliar application of a biostimulant (Retard Cherry®) prior to leaf fall on the bloom delay, fruit set, fruit drop, yield and quality. Data were compared to a non-product control. The study was conducted in the Maule Region, Chile. Results showed that the use of Retard Cherry® delayed full bloom by 6-8 days between cultivars compared to the control; however, there was no delay in the harvest date. The climatic conditions favored high fruit set (37%-49%) and low fruit drop (63%-70%) between cultivars in both treatments. Regarding fruit quality, no differences in size, soluble solids concentration and color were observed with the product, but a decrease in firmness were observed for ‘Regina’. These results show that Retard Cherry® is an effective tool in delaying bloom, providing trees with more favorable climatic conditions for pollination and fruit set.