The rain that fell over most of the cherry growing regions in Australia during the second weekend in November is likely to be of more benefit than harm to the current cherry crop.

The most susceptible period for fruit cracking is in the last growth phase of rapid fruit expansion and when it rains near harvest.

The three-monthly outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology is for higher than average rainfall in the cherry producing regions of Australia.The outlook period includes most of this season’s cherry crop, and if correct, growers can expect a greater risk of rain cracking.

Parka is a food-grade elastic biofilm made of phospholipids that protects crops from the effects of excessive water and heat. It is designed to strengthen the plants natural cuticle—the plant's first line of defence.

Most cracking in cherries occurs between straw and harvest.

  Research has demonstrated that the plant cuticle plays a significant role in overall crop health and quality.

Theoretical water balance model

Cracking of sweet cherry fruit is a complex phenomenon.

In recent years, agricultural research has demonstrated that the plant cuticle plays a significant role in overall crop health and quality. It has become clear that the physiological role of the cuticle extends well beyond its primary function as a transpiration barrier, playing important roles in processes ranging from development…

Parka+™ is a cuticle supplement that has been developed for cherries and is based on Cultiva’s SureSeal technology.

Substantial advances have been made in understanding the underlying mechanisms involved in fruit cracking in recent years. Management strategies to lessen the impact of rainfall late in the growing season have been developed and validated.

Cherry cracking can be devastating. The day before harvest everything looks beautiful; then it rains and the entire crop can be ruined.