Biological characteristics of four cherry cultivars and application of the RIMpro model to forecast the cherry leaf spot

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61308/ZGAL4305

Keywords:

sweet cherry; flowering; yield; cherry leaf spot; RIMpro

Abstract

The study aims to investigate the phenological and reproductive characteristics of four cherry cultivars (‘Van', ‘Bing', ‘Van compact', and Kozerska') and forecast the progression of cherry leaf spot disease reported on sweet cherry using the RIMpro disease and pest prediction model based on meteorological data from the Meteobot station. The study was conducted during the period 2021–2024. Тhe experimental trees were in full bearing stage, grafted on P. mahaleb rootstock, and planted at a distance of 6 × 5 m. The beginning of the flowering stage (BBCH 61) in the studied cultivars was with an interval of 6-days, while the end of the flowering stage (BBCH 75) ranged between 11 and 13 days. The cultivar ‘Bing' had a higher and stable productivity across the studied period, compared to ‘Van', while ‘Van compact' и ‘Kozerska' demonstrated insufficient yield efficiency. The application of RIMpro in combination with visual observations and chemical control provides a more precise timing of fungicide application to cherry leaf spot disease, which results in a better efficiency, reducing production costs, and pesticide-free products. Our study demonstrated that across all studied years, the cultivar ‘Bing' showed a higher susceptibility to Blumeriella jaapii, compared to ‘Van'.

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Published

27.10.2025

How to Cite

Biological characteristics of four cherry cultivars and application of the RIMpro model to forecast the cherry leaf spot . (2025). Bulgarian Journal of Crop Science, 62(5), 75-85. https://doi.org/10.61308/ZGAL4305