However, there was variability between varieties, seasons and orchards. The amount and duration of rainfall between seasons and orchards may hold the key to explaining the variability of results. After 60 minutes with no rain the controller resets. This triggered the dose of CaCl 2 . Indications from the results to date are that the amount of rain combined with rainfall duration, temperature, canopy drying and humidity all contribute to cracking of cherries.
Soft fruit appear less likely to crack.
The challenge now is to reduce the variability of results by matching the correct environmental trigger with the application of CaCl 2 . However, this is really just fine-tuning to what appears to be a successful system. FruitFed Supplies Ltd. A special thanks goes to Sarita Orchard, Summerfruit Orchards Ltd and Sorrento Orchard. Article prepared with the assistance of Helen Percy, HortResearch. New Zealand Ltd. All rights reserved.