MSU Study Notes Significant Cherry Yield Increase With Automated Roof

The 2014 harvest results of cherries under automated roofs trials at Michigan State University are complete for timing of the harvest, overall yield, and fruit size. A primary objective of the trials was to determine how much the harvest time can be accelerated with the fruit under the roofs. This year, the flowering and harvest under the automated roofs was approximately 15 days earlier.

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The overall yield of cherries under the automated roof was increased by 473%, when compared to the uncovered trees and 152% compared to the trees under the conventional rain shelter. Fruit size under the automated roofs was increased by 14% compared to the uncovered trees and 6% compared to those under the rain shelter.

Source: Cravo Equipment Ltd. news release

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