Relationships Between Leaf Area per Fruit and Fruit Quality in ‘Bing’ Sweet Cherry

Abstract

Relationships between leaf area per fruit and fruit weight, color, and soluble solids were modeled on spurs isolated following pit hardening on 2-year-old wood of ‘Bing’ sweet cherry ( Prunus avium L.). Leaf area per fruit was found to be the largest measured source of variability in the three fruit quality parameters examined. Leaf area per fruit accounted for 66%, 36%, and 53% of the variability in fruit weight, fruit color, and soluble solids, respectively, at Pullman, Wash. Leaf area per spur accounted for 54%, 27%, and 28% of these same fruit quality parameters at Prosser, Wash. In all instances, there was a positive correlation between fruit quality and leaf area per fruit. Soluble solids content was most sensitive to increases in leaf area, followed by fruit weight and color. Leaf area per fruit is important because it represents photosynthetic potential. Ample productive leaf area is essential to producing high-quality sweet cherries.