Project details
Status: Current
At a glance
- Cool climate cherries are cultivated for high-value local and export markets which demand premium-quality fruit with an extended shelf life.
- Protective rain covers used for premium cherry fruit production have been linked to reduced calcium uptake and lower fruit quality.
- This study investigates how the tree and the environment can be manipulated to influence calcium uptake and accumulation to improve cherry fruit quality under protective rain covers.
About the project
Cherry production in Tasmania is a vital export industry, emphasizing quality due to limited local market and high export costs. Protective rain covers over cherries improve fruit size and reduce cracking but may hinder calcium uptake due to changed light, temperature and humidity conditions. This study focuses on calcium and how the tree and microclimate can be manipulated to improve its uptake and accumulation in fruit.
Calcium is recognised as crucial for fruit development and quality. It is essential for cell division and elongation, and later contributes to cell wall strength. This study will explore how microclimate influences calcium uptake and the competition for nutrients between vegetative and fruit sinks. Existing research often focuses on manipulating the environment around fruit, rather than considering whole tree physiology.
This study aims to understand the impact of environmental factors on calcium uptake and whether calcium movement can be manipulated by eliminating vegetative sinks. By doing so, the research aims to identify the key environmental factors influencing calcium uptake and their relationship with fruit quality.
Research questions
- Microclimate: How do microclimate factors (temperature and humidity) influence calcium uptake into fruit? Research will assess variability in light and air movement under rain covers across the orchard.
- Rate of calcium application: How does the rate of calcium applied during the cell division phase influence final fruit calcium concentrations, especially in high humidity/low transpiration conditions?
- Calcium uptake and fruit quality: How does calcium uptake relate to fruit quality attributes, including firmness? The research will identify gradients in temperature and humidity under protective rain covers and assess fruit quality from locations with different temperature and humidity profiles.
- Competition for calcium: Does reducing vegetative biomass lead to increased calcium accumulation in the fruit? The research will investigate how vegetative and fruit sinks compete for calcium uptake.
Industry outcomes
This research will provide following outcomes for the cherry industry
- Provide insights into the impact of microclimate on calcium uptake in cherries, particularly around fruit quality outcomes under challenging environments.
- Offering practical solutions to enhance fruit quality in the face of environmental challenges.
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For more information contact:
Prof Dugald Close | dugald.close@utas.edu.au
Claire Scofield | claire.scofield@utas.edu.au | PhD candidate
Acknowledgements:
Sustainably growing horticulture value in cool climate Australia’ (AS20004) is funded through Frontiers developed by Hort Innovation, with coinvestment from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Simplot, Premium Fresh, Bejo, Potatoes New Zealand, The Scottish Society of Plant Research, Botanical Resources Australia, South Pacific Seeds and contributions from the Australian Government and contributions from the Australian Government.