Investigations on the fruit resistance to deformation in some sweet cherry tree varieties

Abstract

The knowledge of sweet cherry resistance to deformation was important for a good choice of means and methods of packing, storage and transportation of fresh fruits for consumption, both on internal market and for exportation. In this paper, the authors have shown the results of some determinations on fruit deformation, carried out on seven sweet cherry varieties (Cetăţuia, Cătălina, Maria, Golia, Ştefan, Bucium and Tereza), harvested at three maturation stages: before ripening (10 days before ripening), almost ripe (five days before maturity) and at maturity. We have recorded the fruit resistance to deformation at a weight below 500 g, using an original device made by the Fruit Growing Research and Development Station of Iaşi. This mechanical device can be used for measuring the resistance to deformation of the fruit belonging to some fruit species or of grapes. The fruit deformation was determined for a certain weight (in our determinations, below the weight of 500 g). By comparing the varieties between them, we found that Maria and Bucium varieties were the most resistant to deformation, at all the three harvest stages, significant differences being found, compared to the other varieties. We have used these determinations for the statistical calculation by the analysis of variance for bifactorial trials, in order to establish the most resistant varieties to fruit deformation at different harvest stages.