In this episode, AgroTroia's "Success in Agriculture" program was a guest at a cherry orchard in Kemalpaşa, İzmir. Together with AgroTroia founder Zafer Dönmez, team leader Cihan, and agricultural engineers, cherry cultivation, orchard establishment, and nutrition technique were addressed. The episode, in which many people participated from Hasan, who handles the orchard's care, to the growers, showed how correct orchard establishment and the application of the cherry nutrition program determine yield in cherry.
Variety, Pollinator, and Rootstock Selection
According to what the engineer conveyed, the most important matter when establishing a new orchard is selecting a variety suitable for the region. Because cherry is largely an export product, commercial orchards have gained weight in our country; it was noted that the most valuable cherry in the Aegean region grows along the coast. The second critical issue is the pollenizer-pollinator variety: there is still confusion on this subject in orchards, and incorrectly established orchards literally cost years. Pollinator varieties need to flower at the same time, and bees must be kept for pollination. Years of experience are also important in rootstock selection; revising aging rootstocks with declining yield according to climate and soil structure is recommended. It was emphasized that, to avoid poisoning the bees during the flowering period, sprayings should be done in the evening-morning and with care.
A New Approach Against Cold Damage
One of the topics that stood out in the program was the effect of the Activo and phosphoric acid application made before flowering in countering cold damage. According to the observations conveyed, in orchards where the buds had partially blackened, flowering and fruit far above expectations were obtained after two applications; examples were shared of trees not being greatly damaged despite nights with sub-zero temperatures in different regions. This approach was assessed as making the plant more resistant to cold by supporting cell renewal. It was noted that the same products close up cracking in cherry and renew the skin, but because of the color difference that forms afterward, these fruits are suitable not for export but for processing.
Calcium Against Cracking and Programmed Nutrition
In a season when weather conditions constantly changed, with rain in the morning and sun in the afternoon, it was striking that the cherries in the orchard did not crack. The secret to this was shown to be a calcium nitrate solution instead of calcium chloride and regular use of Calcio; giving calcium several times in the top application protected the tree against cracking regardless of weather conditions. This program, carried out together with applications protecting against cold, was met with satisfaction. It was emphasized that supplements such as Fors and Aminado applied via drip irrigation were useful during the period when development accelerated as the weather warmed, but that the dose and method of application in the top applications must be set correctly.
Hail Damage and Pruning
It was recalled that although there is no chance of intervening in natural events, there are measures that can be taken. After hail, intervention with Activo and Aminado at the first opportunity, followed by a second repetition 5-7 days later while monitoring weather conditions, is recommended; it was conveyed that in this way a significant portion of the fruit can be saved. In pruning, winter applications should be done by the washing method, while applications after fruit set should be done by the coating method and at a lower dose; otherwise burning can be seen on the leaves. Not neglecting the fight against blossom blight (Monilia) during the 5 percent and 90 percent flowering periods, and taking timely measures against the cherry fruit fly that appears during the color-break period, were the prominent technical warnings.
Featured AgroTroia products in this episode
Activo - cell renewal support in cold damage, cracking, and post-hail repair
Calcio - calcium against cracking, firm fruit tissue
Aminado - amino acid support that speeds recovery after hail and stress
Fors - nutrition via drip irrigation during fruit development and filling
This orchard in Kemalpaşa showed that success in cherry begins as early as orchard establishment with the selection of variety, pollinator, and rootstock; and that even adverse conditions such as cold and hail can be compensated with correct and timely applications. When calcium against cracking and programmed nutrition come together, cherry becomes both high-quality and abundant.
Source: AgroTroia – "Success in Agriculture" program, sponsored by AgroTroia.