Cherry cultivation presents considerable edaphoclimatic complexity. The first challenge is to achieve adequate flowering and fruit setting, closely followed by promoting cell division to ensure productive potential in terms of fruit size and weight. BIO-IMPROVER®, with its combination of natural phytohormones, provides everything necessary to support this process by improving the condition of the fruit.
For 5 years, the Chilean company MBL has carried out field validations with the main varieties of cherries grown in Chile, demonstrating the effectiveness of its BIO-IMPROVER® product in improving production parameters and fruit quality.
It is a natural growth promoter that contains extracts of terrestrial plants with high biological activity. This product contains cytokinins, auxins and brassinosteroids, all natural 100% phyto-hormones that promote growth, cell division, color development, among others.
A study conducted by Macarena Barra, an Agricultural Engineer with a PhD in Sciences with a major in Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology, demonstrated that the biological activity of BIO-IMPROVER® in cell division has the same potency as that generated by the most well-known synthetic cytokinins on the market, such as Benzylaminopurine (BAP), Thidiazuron (TDZ) and Forchlorfenuron (CPPU).
Below are the results of the study where a cell count was performed on Red Globe table grape explants using a scanning electron microscope. The explants were subjected to a 4-week growth period under a photoperiod of 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness.
The recommendation is to apply BIO-IMPROVER® during the flowering period, to ensure flower setting and stimulate cell division of the fruit; additionally, a fourth application can be made at the stage of hardening of the stone to give a second impulse of fruit growth and avoid abscission due to competition.
In the race to harvest early, large and excellent quality fruit, a series of strategies have been developed to support producers. In this sense, MBL has not been left behind and since 2018 has validated BIO-IMPROVER® in the varieties with the largest plantation area and in different production areas ranging from the Coquimbo region to the Ñuble region.
During the early stages of crop development, the percentage of fruit set largely determines the productive potential. Although this process is multifactorial, depending on the variety, the rootstock, and the season, it can be supported and enhanced by the use of biostimulants. It has been shown that the use of BIO-IMPROVER® can improve the percentage of initial and final fruit set in different varieties.
After fruit set, stage I of fruit development begins, a period of cell division, where the productive potential of the orchard and other attributes of condition and quality are defined. In this sense, BIO-IMPROVER®, by providing a combination of plant phytohormones, is able to boost this process, demonstrating its effect on fruit weight, size distribution and condition attributes such as firmness and soluble solids content.
Therefore, we can conclude that BIO-IMPROVER®, being a product based on 100% plant phytohormones, perfectly adapts to the natural growth and development process of the fruit, being an excellent tool to achieve the productive potential in different varieties of cherry, ensuring good fruit setting, size and weight, as well as good condition.
Once the productive potential has been assured, the colour of the cherry is essential when it comes to harvesting in accordance with the requirements of the destination markets. The race to produce fruit of the best quality and condition brings with it obstacles such as uneven ripeness of the fruit, which implies a greater demand for labour due to a greater number of harvest passes.
MBL has developed the VITAPLANT TONER® product, as a complement for fruit ripening and colour concentration. Field trials with VITAPLANT TONER® have been carried out throughout the national territory, focusing on fruit crops such as cherry trees in their different varieties, table grapes and citrus fruits.
It is a natural 100% biostimulant designed to be applied in the ripening phase of fruit trees, which enhances the color and condition of the fruits, achieving homogenized color development, concentrating the harvest, improving the condition of the fruit and productive parameters.
VITAPLANT TONER® contains amino acids (mainly methionine), nutrients (phosphorus) and polysaccharides. Its formulation It not only promotes the expression of anthocyanins but also the mobilization of photoassimilates to the fruits.
Below is a summary of the results of trials carried out during 4 productive seasons on different varieties.
Since VITAPLANT TONER® supports the internal maturation process triggered by its phosphorus and polysaccharide components, its effect on production and condition parameters has also been demonstrated.
Therefore, VITAPLANT TONER® is an excellent tool to achieve concentrated fruit ripening, naturally promoting the expression of anthocyanins and soluble solids, stimulating and coordinating the ripening and accumulation of sugars, without generating imbalances that harm the condition of the fruit.
