With cherries, timing and quality are everything. Parka cracking suppressant ensures cherries are well protected.
Parka® splitting suppressant minimises fruit downgrading
With cherries, timing and quality are everything. Delivering pristine fruit to meet the deadlines of Christmas and Chinese New Year puts a lot of pressure on growers.
As Tom McDonald, Regional Manager Lower South Island for sustainable agricultural solutions provider UPL NZ Ltd., explains there’s also a lot of competition out there, especially from Chilean growers into the Chinese market. “New Zealand growers need to be right on the dot, and our fruit needs to be perfect. And it is a high-risk crop.”
Rain, particularly, can spell disaster for an otherwise promising and lucrative cherry harvest causing splitting and cracking. If cherries are downgraded, it’s a very slippery slope. Tom says there’s only so much cherry juice (from downgraded fruit) that the market can accommodate.
Proven protection with Parka
Fortunately, effective, proven protection is at hand. Parka is a patented blend of phospholipids with unique elasticity properties. It is designed to repel moisture from the cherries’ surface to minimise water damage as well as mimic and supplement the fruit’s natural cuticle. Tom explains that the cuticle is essential in protecting the fruit from environmental stresses, moisture loss or excessive moisture events. “When you’ve got healthy cuticles, you’ve got healthier, more marketable fruit.”
Parka’s unique blend of phospholipids acts in different ways to supplement the cuticle of the plant, enhancing the fatty acid composition, and improving membrane stability. Parka also increases the fruits’ antioxidant capacity and reduces hydrogen peroxide accumulation. This limits oxidative stress which results in better cell integrity. The protection grows with the fruit.
Like lip balm
Tom says while it’s named after a raincoat, the elastic, organic biofilm is actually more like lip balm for the fruit. “It’s ‘soft’ chemistry and, just like the balm pickers would use to stop their lips cracking on those searingly hot Otago days when they’re out in the cherry orchards.
“Using Parka means there’s going to be a greater percentage of the crop graded higher. Without it, growers could miss out on profit to a degree, and that’s going to seriously impact their bottom line.”
“Anecdotally, we’ve also been told that the cherry trees look healthier and that they retain their leaves for longer.”
Satisfied growers with Parka
Tom says leading cherry growers have been quick to see the benefits in using Parka. “They’ve been really pleased with the results.” And he has some personal experience to back that up last summer. “We got some Sonnet cherries that had been treated with Parka. They looked amazing, tasted great, and seemed to last that bit longer in the fridge.”
Tom says cracking in cherries is not only an aesthetic issue. It can also allow pathogens access to the fruit which is another factor resulting in downgrading.
Trials in Central Otago evaluated cracked fruit on both Lapins and Sweetheart varieties. Overall, there was a greater reduction in the incidence of rain-induced cracking with the application of Parka in comparison to calcium treated cherries.
Tom says Parka should be applied in a two-stage programme: at 100% shuck fall and straw colour. “You might want to think about a third application if there is a rain event more than 10 days after the last application.” For maximum effect all cherries must be thoroughly covered. Parka should be used at a rate of 9.5 L/ha in 1500-2000 L of water. Good coverage is vital. Higher or lower dilution or water rates shouldn’t be used as fruit marking may occur. And, with white cherries, a small area should be tested to ensure there is no marking. “Always apply using a calibrated orchard sprayer.” Tom recommends avoiding applying during extended dry spells or spraying in a cool afternoon/evening.
