Factors Associated with Surface Pitting of Sweet Cherry1,2

Six annual surveys indicated that % soluble solids and fruit weight were the only consistent predictor variables for fruit surface pitting in ‘Lambert’ sweet cherry ( Prunus avium L.). Both were inversely related to pitting. Similar associations were found ‘Bing’ when fruit were handled excessively. In spite of tree-to-tree variation, the degree of pitting was relatively uniform in a given orchard in a given year. High and low percentage pitting orchards appeared to be fairly consistent over the 6 years, but intermediate ones were extremely variable. Postharvest factors (time delay prior to storage, hydrocooling temperature, or storage temperature) had little or no effect on surface pitting. Foliar sprays of gibberellic acid (GA 3 or GA 4+7 ) applied 3 weeks prior to harvest increased fruit firmness and reduced color. Gibberellic acid sprays reduced pitting when the disorder was present (1974 and 1976) or where the fruit were bruised. Mechanical bruising of cherries increased the incidence of pitting. Surface pitting of sweet cherries may be caused by bruising but fruit characteristics (% soluble solids, size and firmness) can indicate whether or not pitting may occur on bruised fruit.