Cherry Project
Crop load management is critical to an orchard's success, however it is often hard to predict yield and fruit size distribution. A new program has been initiated to develop a simple model that could be used to aid orchard management decisions and optimise fruit size and yield. This information provides many opportunities to improve decision making such as determining the desired average fruit size a priori by pruning to precise bud numbers and the prevention of over cropping. Together with information on planting distances when establishing new blocks, this information allows growers to forecast the year in which full production is reached.
Optimising crop load and fruit size in sweet cherries - Charlotte Brunt and Steve Chapman