Cherry cultivation for fruit processing
2003
Roversi, A. (Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza (Italy). Istituto di Fruttiviticoltura)
No so long time ago in Italy cherries for processing came from those not suitable for fresh market, because their under size or those not sold at the end of the market day or those local varieties whose assortment, commercially speaking, was very generic and heterogeneous. Anyway, these varieties were always at double aptitude and often with characteristics not corresponding to the ones needed for processing. For the last few years, Italian cherry cultivation to obtain fruit for processing has been developed and specialized. That is, orchards are established growing the more suitable varieties for processing, as in other Countries is made by long time. Kinds of decision that must be taken before planting are reported in this paper, using often the foreign experience. Previously, the kinds of fruit processing and the parameters to evaluate suitability for processing are also listed. The most important aspects of cultivation, as plant spacing, rootstocks, plant training and pruning, are examined having in mind the largest mechanization of cultivation. Particular emphasis is given to harvesting, that is the most important cost item to determine the whole production cost. Also a comparative and brief analysis of the performance during harvesting of some mechanical harvesters is given. Many unpublished experimental data concerning rootstock efficiency, treatments with looseners to facilitate mechanical harvesting and with Ca to improve fruit firmness are also reported
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