The effects of pre-harvest ga3 and calcium applications on some fruit quality properties in dalbasti cherry

Turkey is the leading country in world cherry production. One of the cherry cultivars significantly grown in our country is Dalbastı. In table cherries, fruit size and fruit flesh firmness are among the important quality parameters. The results of pre-harvest applications applied to improve the fruit quality of cherries are important for both producers and consumers. In this study, conducted in 2018-2019 under the ecological conditions of Malatya, it was aimed to determine the effect of pre-harvest gibberellic acid (GA3) and calcium applications on fruit quality in Dalbastı cherry cultivar. The study material was cherry trees grafted to MaxMa 14 rootstock at fruit bearing stage and seven different pre-harvest applications (Control, GA3 20, GA3 40, Ca 500, Ca 1000, GA3 20 + Ca 500 and GA3 40 + Ca 1000) were performed. In order to determine the effect of applications on the applied trees; phenological observations and pomological analyzes were performed. The effects of the applications on pomological and biochemical properties were investigated. According to the results obtained from the experiment, it was determined that 1000 ppm calcium application significantly increased the fruit flesh firmness compared to the control. Similarly, 40 ppm GA3 and 40 ppm GA3 + 1000 ppm Ca applications also yielded positive results in terms of fruit flesh firmness. On the other hand, there were no statistically significant effects of pre-harvest applications found on the other parameters such as TSS, malic acid, pH and color (L*, a*, b*) except for the glucose content of the fruits before harvest. The applications that positive results were obtained fruit flesh firmness will provide a competitive advantage in cherry growing in terms of market and marketing conditions by extending shelf life and transportation endurance of table cherries.