One of the challenges of growing cherries in Israel is the lack of sufficient chilling hours due to warm winters, a problem exacerbated by global warming, which increases the risk that cherry trees will not receive the cold temperatures they need. On the other hand, warm winters can also offer a significant advantage by allowing for earlier fruit harvesting.
Researchers from the Northern R&D Center at the MIGAL Research Institute, in collaboration with the Volcani Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, succeeded in advancing the flowering and ripening of Royal Dawn cherries by about a month compared to the usual ripening times in orchards in northern Israel. This achievement is part of a study aimed at improving pollination and yields in cherry crops.
This development has significant economic implications: Growers who can bring their cherries to market earlier can demand higher prices. Haya Rak Yahalom, director of Northern R&D at MIGAL, explained: "The ripening and marketing period for cherries in Israel currently takes place between May and July, overlapping with Europe. However, Israel's unique climate conditions make it possible to advance the cherry ripening season, creating economic and marketing advantages for growers. Additionally, this will allow them to better cope with potential regulatory changes, such as the opening of import quotas from foreign countries."
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The researchers manipulated the sugar consumption balance of the cherry trees by controlling the temperature of the roots. They cooled the roots of trees grown in large pots. Normally, cherry trees receive their chilling hours naturally. If they accumulate enough chilling hours over a short period, the arrival of spring and rising temperatures trigger flowering.
The study, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s Chief Scientist Fund and the Cherry Board of the Plant Council, is led by Dr. Michal Ackerman-Lavert, a researcher specializing in deciduous fruit trees at Northern R&D - MIGAL. It is conducted in collaboration with Dr. Or Sperling from the Volcani Institute, alongside researchers Menashe Cohen and Dr. Omer Crane from Northern R&D.
"The goal of the research is to address the challenges posed by warming winters. We grew the cherries in large pots while controlling the root temperatures,"Ackerman-Lavert explained. "We hope that the findings will help address warm winters and serve as a foundation for further research to advance ripening and improve yields. We’ve cracked the method, and now the goal is to make the results commercially viable."