Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production
HORMA 201 - M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture
UNIT II: Plums, peach, apricot, cherries, hazlenut
Table of Contents
Commercial varieties of regional, national and international importance,
Ecophysiological requirements, recent trends in propagation, rootstock influence,
planting systems, cropping systems, root zone and canopy management, nutrient
management, water management, fertigation, bioregulation, abiotic factors limiting fruit
production, physiology of flowering, fruit set and development, abiotic factors limiting
production, physiological disorders-causes and remedies, quality improvement by
management practices; maturity indices, harvesting, grading, packing, precooling,
storage, transportation and ripening techniques; industrial and export potential, Agri Export Zones(AEZ) and industrial support.
Chapter 8 -
🍒 CHERRY (Prunus avium & Prunus cerasus)
🔹 1. Commercial Varieties of Regional, National & International Importance
Types:
- Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium): Eaten fresh
- Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus): Used for processing
India: Grown mainly in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand
Popular Varieties in India:
- Stella (self-fruitful)
- Black Heart
- Bigarreau Napoleon
- Bing
- Van
- Sam
- Early Rivers
- Governor’s Wood
- Red Heart
Internationally Important Varieties: Bing, Lapins, Rainier, Sweetheart, Kordia, Regina, Lambert, Compact Stella, Morello (sour)
🔹 2. Ecophysiological Requirements
- Climate: Temperate; requires cold winters and mild summers
- Chilling requirement: 700–1,200 hours (variety-dependent)
- Frost: Spring frost sensitive (especially flowers)
- Soil: Well-drained sandy loam; pH 6.0–7.5
- Altitude: 1,800–2,700 m in India (e.g., Kashmir, Kullu)
🔹 3. Recent Trends in Propagation
- Conventional:
- T-budding and whip grafting in March/July
- Clonal rootstocks: Increasing use for dwarfing and precocity
- Micropropagation: Still under research stage for mass multiplication
🔹 4. Rootstock Influence
🔹 5. Planting Systems
- Spacing:
- Standard: 6–7 m × 6–7 m
- HDP: 3–4 m × 2.5–3 m with dwarf rootstocks (e.g., Gisela)
- System: Square or hedgerow (for HDP)
- Training system:
- Open center for sour cherries
- Modified central leader for sweet cherries
🔹 6. Cropping Systems
- Intercropping with peas, beans in early years
- Mixed planting with plum, peach in temperate orchard systems
- HDP gaining popularity with dwarf rootstocks
🔹 7. Root Zone and Canopy Management
- Avoid waterlogging → root rot in cherry is common
- Pruning:
- Moderate pruning annually
- Remove upright vigorous shoots (watershoots)
- Summer pruning in HDP improves light penetration
🔹 8. Nutrient Management
- FYM: 20–25 kg/tree/year
- Fertilizer schedule (per mature tree/year):
- N: 350–500 g
- P₂O₅: 250–300 g
- K₂O: 300–400 g
- Micronutrient sprays (Zn, B) help improve fruit set and quality
🔹 9. Water Management
- Shallow-rooted → frequent irrigation needed
- Avoid excessive water during flowering and ripening
- Drip irrigation preferred in HDP systems
🔹 10. Fertigation
- Fertigation systems suitable in HDP and protected cultivation
- NPK applied in 4–5 split doses through drip
🔹 11. Bioregulation
🔹 12. Abiotic Factors Limiting Production
- Spring frost: Damages flowers, reduces yield
- Rain during ripening: Causes fruit cracking
- Water stress: Reduces fruit size and quality
- High humidity: Fungal disease outbreaks
🔹 13. Physiology of Flowering, Fruit Set & Development
- Flowering: March–April (varies by region)
- Pollination:
- Most varieties are self-incompatible
- Cross-pollination essential
- Stella and Lapins are self-fruitful
- Fruit development: 60–90 days from flowering
🔹 14. Physiological Disorders – Causes & Remedies
🔹 15. Quality Improvement by Management
- Use of Ca & B sprays improves firmness & quality
- Fruit thinning helps in size improvement
- GA₃ and balanced nutrition essential
- Avoid water stress and poor drainage
🔹 16. Maturity Indices
- Uniform color development (red/black depending on variety)
- TSS: 14–20 °Brix
- Easy detachment without stem rupture
- Firmness and gloss
🔹 17. Harvesting, Grading & Packing
- Harvesting: With pedicel attached to prevent decay
- Grading: Based on size, color, firmness
- Packing:
- Punnets or trays with soft liners
- 250 g, 500 g, or 1 kg packs
🔹 18. Pre-cooling, Storage & Transportation
- Pre-cooling: Rapid cooling at 0–2°C immediately after harvest
- Storage:
- Temp: 0 to –1°C
- RH: 90–95%
- Storage life: 2–3 weeks (with controlled atmosphere: 4–6 weeks)
- Transportation: Refrigerated trucks, shock-proof packaging
🔹 19. Ripening Techniques
- Usually harvested ripe → minimal artificial ripening
- Cold storage maintained till retail
- Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) enhances shelf life
🔹 20. Industrial & Export Potential
- Processed products: Canned cherries, cherry juice, jam, wine, brandy
- Used in bakery, confectionery, and dairy products
- Export: Fresh cherries exported to Gulf countries, Europe
- India: limited export, but growing interest in niche markets
🔹 21. Agri Export Zones (AEZ) & Industrial Support
- No dedicated AEZ for cherries yet
- Government schemes:
- MIDH, NHB: Subsidies for packhouses, HDP, cold storage
- MoFPI: Assistance for cherry processing units
Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production- Click here for all unit notes
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