Cherry production in Chile is a constant challenge, as it offers a product that must reach markets that are quite distant and extremely demanding in terms of quality and condition of the fruit.
To achieve these objectives, it is vitally important to incorporate good agronomic management of irrigation, fertilization, pruning, etc. In addition to the above, in recent years biostimulation in the different phenological states has gained special relevance since it has allowed the productive and quality potential of the crop to be better expressed.
The Chilean company MBL provides the industry with a range of natural tools from different origins worldwide that are a contribution to fruit production. One of these alternatives is Bio-Improver, which has managed to position itself as a key product for the production of cherries with export caliber and quality.
Bio-improver is a biostimulant based on extracts from terrestrial plants that provide cytokinins, auxins and natural brassinosteroids, enriched with macro and micronutrients. The effect of Bio-improver applied at flowering times allows to increase fruit set and size, ensuring quality and condition at destination. The application of this product at the “straw” stage of the fruit reduces the last physiological drop of the crop, improving the productivity of the orchard.
During the last 4 seasons, field validations have been carried out on the main cherry varieties planted in Chile, which support the effectiveness of Bio-Improver on production parameters such as size, weight, firmness and post-harvest condition of the fruit.
What is the strategy?
Considering the complexity of the soil and climate conditions that cherry cultivation begins with, the first barrier to overcome is to achieve flowering and fruit setting, followed closely by promoting cell division to ensure productive potential in terms of size and weight; Bio-Improver with its cocktail of natural phytohormones provides everything necessary to support this process.
The recommendation is to apply Bio-Improver during the flowering period, to ensure flower setting and stimulate fruit size.
All validations were carried out in the O'Higgins region, including the municipalities of Graneros, Codegua and Molina, since 2018.The effect on the weight of fruits in the varieties Bing, Royal Dawn, Lapins and Santina was evaluated, where in all of them an increase in the average weight of harvested fruits was observed with respect to the field management corresponding to each variety.
The effect of the biostimulant on the size of the Bing, Royal Dawn, Lapins and Santina varieties was also measured, where an increase in the quantity of fruits harvested over 26 mm was observed in all of them compared to the field management corresponding to each variety.
By enhancing the size and weight of the fruit with Bio-Improver, it is possible to produce cherries in excellent condition, which will ensure that they arrive safely at their destination with a delicious flavour.
The results, which have been consistent over time, show that Bio-Improver is an excellent natural biostimulation alternative for producing fruit with quality and condition that meets the needs of the most demanding markets.
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