Southwick, Stephen :

Glozer Dr, Kitren

Hansen, Randy :

Khan, Zaheer :

Effects of Messenger on â?? Bing â?? Sweet Cherry Fruit Size and Cropping in 2003 Stephen Southwick Kitren Glozer Randy Hansen Zaheer Khan Introduction Sweet cherry acreage is expanding in California . Returns to growers have been better than other crops and new variety development has increased the range in which cherries can be grown . Growers are interested in maximizing production and fruit size since they are paid more for high yields and large size fruits . Moreover , earlier ripening fruit may command a higher price in many seasons . Chemicals that are safe for the environment , while providing an economic gain are of interest to cherries growers . Messenger is a chemical with plant growth regulating activities which may improve cropping and fruit size and alter ripening time in sweet cherry . Methodology The trees used in this experiment were at least 30 years old and were â?? Bing â?? growing on mahaleb ( Prunus mahaleb ) at the Solari Ranch ( Joe Gotelli and Sons ) , located near Stockton , San Joaquin County , CA . Trees were spaced at 20 x 20 ft , for 108 trees per acre . The experimental plot was 284 feet long within rows by 220 feet wide between rows , for a total area of 1.43 acres . A single - factor complete randomized design was used . Treatments were assigned at random to 16 single - tree replicates per treatment with at least one untreated tree on each of the four sides of every replicate tree to minimize spray drift . Treated trees were distributed randomly within several rows of similar trees , without grouping of replicates within or across rows . As the two levels of treatment ( no Messenger vs applied Messenger ) were assigned to different subjects , treatment differences were tested statistically using two - 1 sample t - tests . The Messenger treatment consisted of 9 ounces per 100 gallons per acre applied on four separate dates ( total of 36 ounces applied ) March 11 , 25 , April 9 , 23 . Sprays were applied with a a hand - held mist blower ( Stihl SR 400 , Andreas Stihl , Waiblingen , Germany ) . City well water ( non - chlorinated ) at pH 7.0 was used in the first application while orchard well water was used for the remaining applications ( pH 7.0 ) . The first Messenger spray was applied at first white or as the flowers were in the early popcorn stage . Statistical analyses were performed by using a two - sample Studentâ??s t - Test , P = 0.05 ( SigmaStat , SPSS Inc , Chicago , IL ) . Fruits were harvested in two pickings , a â?? color pick â?? of only marketable fruit on May 27 and all remaining fruit on 4 June . Total weight of fruit harvested was obtained for each harvest and a random sample of 25 fruit from those that were harvested was collected for each treatment replicate tree , weighed and then subsampled for a random 10 - fruit sample . All fruit were of marketable maturity ( light red , dark red or mahogany = CTIFL color chips 3 , 4 and 6 , respectively ) . The 10 fruit that were subsampled were sized with a standard CDFA cherry rowsizer . 1 A two - sample t - test ( also called an unpaired t - test ) compares results from two treatments applied to different experimental units while a paired t - test evaluates subjects that have each received both treatments at differing times . Results and Discussion Messenger sprays did not increase weight per fruit or rowsize in either harvest ( Table 1 ) . The per harvest or total yield of fruit per tree was not altered by Messenger treatment ( Table 1 ) . There was a non - statistically significant increase in the amount of fruit harvested in the first pick and the total yield was higher in the Messenger - treated trees , although not statistically significantly different from the untreated controls . st ns 1 harvest in ( 2.7 ) ( 2.9 ) % Fruit 4 ) . days , June 22.1 19.3 ~ 28 was ns + harvest fall ( 7.2 ) ( 5.1 ) Total petal 64.0 56.1 second days , 27 , ~ 14 ns ( kg ) May harvest ( 6.9 ) ( 5.4 ) + fall Yield was petal 51.5 47.1 nd harvest 2 fall , petal ( first ns harvest ( 1.6 ) ( 1.0 ) visible , harvest 1st 12.5 9.0 at petals size ns white fruit rowsize ( 0.1 ) ( 0.1 ) significant . and first 11.0 11.1 yields stages : non harvest ns 2003 ; ( 0.2 ) ( 0.2 ) = bloom g ns cherry , nd 0.05 ; rowsize 7.6 7.8 at 2 23 = sweet and P and rowsize ns ( " SE ) ; ( 0.1 ) ( 0.1 ) 9 fruit â?? Bing â?? April t - Test harvest 11.3 per 11.2 25 , in Weight y 11 , Studentâ??s Messenger st 1 ns March ( 0.2 ) ( 0.2 ) g by applied 7.6 7.5 of separation Effects respectively . y Messenger Messenger Treatment Control 1 . Mean Table x y