Sweet Cherries

This new book provides comprehensive coverage of the history, genetic improvements, production physiology of growth and cropping, orchard establishment and management, and harvest considerations for sustainable cherry production. Sweet cherries are a specialty crop, subject to significant production risks for growers, yet with high potential market returns due to strong consumer demand for the fruit's intensely enjoyable flavor and nutraceutical benefits. Written by a renowned team of experts, this book emphasizes the scientific principles underlying cherry production practices. It acts as a resource for a scientific foundational understanding of plant growth and cropping, providing the key to both reasoned choice of orchard practices and the solution of future problems. The authors cover improved sweet cherry fruiting varieties and rootstocks, include state-of-the-art tree training and production systems, and consider production risk management technologies and decisions. Heavily illustrated in full color throughout, Sweet Cherries is written with practical details and underlying physiological concepts for use by beginning and established fruit growers, consultants, and advisors, with a primary focus on fresh market sweet cherries, in addition to students and professionals in horticulture.