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Suitable orchard land in regions of high elevation, arid climates, and alkaline soil conditions is becoming more limited due to urban sprawl. With the loss of suitable farmland, increasing input costs, and the lack of sound fertility information for these regions, fruit growers face challenges in producing high quality fruit to meet local and general market demand. The question that arises is whether fruit growers can supply sufficient quantities of quality fruit to take full advantage of local and global demand. Government data for population, fruit production, and fruit consumption in Utah were reviewed to determine the potential size of the local market, and determine whether growers have opportunities to increase production to meet unsatisfied demand for high quality local produce. In addition to market analysis, fertility-based management strategies are needed to optimize yield and fruit quality in production areas of high elevation, arid climates, and alkaline soils. Three different approaches were used to investigate the effect of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on tart cherry fruit quality and yield at high elevations, arid climate conditions, and in alkaline soils. The approaches of this study include: a rate-response evaluation using the industry-standard Triple-16 fertilizer (16-16-16), and comparison of P and K fertilizer formulations to determine the most cost effective sources of these nutrients with regard to yield and fruit quality. Additions of P and K maintained adequate yield and fruit quality, but showed no significant difference among treatments, where historically aggressive nutrient management had been practiced. Fertilizer additions did result in a significant increase in yield and fruit quality where nutrient management programs were historically much less aggressive. There is no advantage of higher cost fertilizer formulations over standard low-cost sources (i.e.; Triple-16). Moreover, there is no significant advantage to splitting fertilizer application over time during the growing season. An analysis of government data indicates that, over the past 40 years, Utah has become a net importer of apples (1997), peaches (1987), and sweet cherries (2005), indicating increased local market opportunities. Increasing the fruit supply to the local market can best be accomplished by increasing yields and fruit quality on existing orchard acreage. Optimizing annual P and K nutrient management is an important key to maximizing yield and fruit quality. The results provide foundational guidelines of nutrient management for optimizing tart cherry production and fruit quality under regionally specific conditions.

Suitable orchard land in regions of high elevation, arid climates, and alkaline soil conditions is becoming more limited due to urban sprawl. With the loss of suitable farmland, increasing input costs, and the lack of sound fertility information for these regions, fruit growers face challenges in producing high quality fruit to meet local and general market demand. The question that arises is whether fruit growers can supply sufficient quantities of quality fruit to take full advantage of local and global demand. Government data for population, fruit production, and fruit consumption in Utah were reviewed to determine the potential size of the local market, and determine whether growers have opportunities to increase production to meet unsatisfied demand for high quality local produce. In addition to market analysis, fertility-based management strategies are needed to optimize yield and fruit quality in production areas of high elevation, arid climates, and alkaline soils. Three different approaches were used to investigate the effect of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on tart cherry fruit quality and yield at high elevations, arid climate conditions, and in alkaline soils. The approaches of this study include: a rate-response evaluation using the industry-standard Triple-16 fertilizer (16-16-16), and comparison of P and K fertilizer formulations to determine the most cost effective sources of these nutrients with regard to yield and fruit quality. Additions of P and K maintained adequate yield and fruit quality, but showed no significant difference among treatments, where historically aggressive nutrient management had been practiced. Fertilizer additions did result in a significant increase in yield and fruit quality where nutrient management programs were historically much less aggressive. There is no advantage of higher cost fertilizer formulations over standard low-cost sources (i.e.; Triple-16). Moreover, there is no significant advantage to splitting fertilizer application over time during the growing season. An analysis of government data indicates that, over the past 40 years, Utah has become a net importer of apples (1997), peaches (1987), and sweet cherries (2005), indicating increased local market opportunities. Increasing the fruit supply to the local market can best be accomplished by increasing yields and fruit quality on existing orchard acreage. Optimizing annual P and K nutrient management is an important key to maximizing yield and fruit quality. The results provide foundational guidelines of nutrient management for optimizing tart cherry production and fruit quality under regionally specific conditions.

Crop load management of fruit trees is a challenge for producers. For this experiment apple, peach, and sweet cherry trees were thinned using mechanical blossom thinning (MBT), and hand blossom thinning (HBT) to mimic MBT. Apple bloom was reduced by MBT, but only one treatment consistently reduced fruit set. Marketable yield, fruit weight, and quality were unaffected by thinning treatments. An apple spur leaf study found that damage from MBT was negligible. Mechanical blossom thinning of peach significantly reduced fruit set and hand thinning requirements at ‘June drop’. Marketable yield, fruit firmness, and soluble solids concentration were largely unaffected by thinning treatments, but fruit weight and size increased in one year. The two highest rates of sweet cherry MBT and HBT reduced fruit set but total yield, fruit weight, and quality were unaffected. Overall, MBT may be a viable option for tree fruit producers, especially peach growers. / The University of Guelph/OMAFRA Sustainable Production Systems Research Programme, the Niagara Peninsula Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association, NSERC.

Graduation date: 1940

Bibliography: leaves 143-150. / xxii, 150 leaves : col. ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Isozyme analysis was carried out on sweet cherry (Prunus avium) leaves. Cultivars were identified and compared. Progeny from controlled hybridisations were examined to determine inheritance patterns of isozymes. Isozymes were also used to determine gene flow in cherry orchards and to determine pollen donors of selected cultivars. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Horticulture, Viticulture and Oenology, (1996?)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 169-185).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Entomology, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 9, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 146-160). Also issued in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1945. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-90).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1960. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.