Method for stable high-quality fruit production by solar heat control

Abstract

To stably mass-produce high-quality fruits.SOLUTION: Due to the influence of solar flares, an increase in solar radiation has become remarkable from 2022 through the solar maximum period in July 2025, and damage to flower buds of fruit trees has occurred due to ultraviolet rays and other effects. To solve this problem, from the time when the flower buds of the fruit trees begin to loosen until the beginning of flowering, during morning when a weather forecast of 20°C or higher is issued, a sunlight-shielding object is leaned against the west side of the tree zone to expand the shaded area generated in the afternoon. Around 2:00 p.m., the temperature at a height of 1.5 m in a sunlit location is measured with a stick thermometer, and if it reaches 20°C or higher, water is intermittently sprayed over the entire orchard using a pest control sprayer or the like until sunset to dissipate heat from the female organ tissues of the flower buds. By doing so, stable production of high-quality fruits can be achieved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention is a development technology for stable production of high-quality fruit trees that can adapt to climate change. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, solar flares (explosions on the solar surface) have caused sudden, clear days in early to mid-April with maximum temperatures exceeding 20°C, resulting in a decline in both yield and quality of stone fruit (Figure 7) (Figures 5 and 6).

[0003] This tendency is particularly evident in varieties such as Sato Nishiki cherries, where the phenomenon of pseudo-parthenocarpy has occurred for the past four consecutive years, resulting in poor fruit set and frequent soft fruit, leading to a sharp decline in sales volume and a lack of quality that is in line with the original standards of the variety (Figure 8). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7357381 "Method for avoiding frost damage by shading" Claims

[0005] [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3240687 "Ripe cherry sorbet confectionery made in a home freezer" Scope of utility model registration claims, specification

[0002] [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] 2002 Agricultural Technology System Fruit Tree Edition Cherry Supplement No. 17, Vol. 4 - Technique 84, No. 11, No. 3-5 - Ikuo Kataoka, Kenji Beppu (Kagawa University) "Cultivation of Cherry in Warm Regions and Issues"

[0007] [Non-patent document 2] 2002 New Edition Fruit Tree Horticulture VI Growth, Flowering and Fruiting (5) Pseudoparthenocarpy P188 Haruyuki Kuroda

[0008] [Non-patent document 3] 1978 "Fruit Gardening Theory" Shoichi Nakagawa P199.203.204 Section 2 Pseudoparthenocarpy

[0009] [Non-patent document 4] 1989 "Organism Morphology of Deciduous Fruit Trees" by Shunzo Watanabe (my teacher) Figure 93: Root system of cherry rootstock, Mazakura, Figure 79: Germination of cherry seeds (kernels) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Currently, solar activity is expected to reach its "maximum" between 2022 and July 2025, and hot, sunny days with temperatures above 20°C suddenly appeared around early to mid-April, when fruit trees were in the flower bud stage and beginning to flower, resulting in poor fruit set and a noticeable decline in quality for fast-growing plums and cherries (Figures 5 and 6).

[0011] Cherries, which have been particularly badly damaged, are harvested more than seven days earlier than planned. The harvested fruits are irregular, smaller than the original variety, and darker and less vibrant in color. The skin is thin, making them susceptible to cracking and pests sucking the juice. The taste is sweet, but the acidity is minimal, making it unsatisfying. Soft fruit is produced during distribution in the market after packing and shipping, and much of it is discarded. (Figures 8 and 9) [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The cause of this is that when flower buds are exposed to sunlight (ultraviolet rays, etc.) and high temperatures in the early flower bud stage, endogenously secreted plant hormones affect the embryo sac, causing it to degenerate and drop prematurely. In addition, in the pistils within the flower buds that have grown to the point of flowering, the mesocarp (ovary wall and receptacle: the fleshy part) thickens and turns into a fruit, resulting in "pseudo-parthenocarpy." This is a type of fruit-bearing plant, and even if normal fertilization occurs, the division of the endosperm nucleus stops, causing the embryo formation to cease. The seed coat formation process also becomes abnormal, and the seed becomes an empty seed, but subsequent endogenous plant hormones, hormone supply from artificially pollinated pollen (tubes), and the physical stimulation of the dusting process promote endogenous secretions, causing the mesocarp to thicken and resulting in parthenocarpy (Figure 8).

[0013] When varieties with late embryonic cessation or artificial pollination are used, the action of endogenous hormones causes the Shiina to grow large, and the fruit also swells, allowing it to be harvested. However, because the seeds are not normal, the fruit does not last long, and soft fruit frequently occurs during distribution (Figure 9).

[0014] Taking these phenomena into consideration, this invention is a climate-adaptive cultivation method that solves these problems by combining two technologies, "shading" and "watering," to produce normal seeds and fully bring out the inherent characteristics of each variety (Figures 1-4). [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] This method does not require a great deal of expense or labor, and ensures stable fruit set, high quality, and high yields.

[0016] This allows for low tree height cultivation, and labor-saving, low-cost production significantly improves profitability.

[0017] This will allow successors to take up fruit farming with peace of mind, and will help maintain and expand production areas. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] Cherry "flower bud stage" ~When it starts to bloom~ [Figure 2] Sunshades (e.g., be careful of reflected light) [Figure 3] Creates shade in the afternoon (ensures fruit set and prevents fruit from sunburn) [Figure 4] Pest control machine used for cold water sprinkling (example) [Figure 5] Plum tree fruiting status: UV protection (in the shadow of the upper branches, only the lower branches produce more fruit) [Figure 6] Poor fruit set and pseudoparthenocarpy in non-irrigated areas (thin fruit skin, cracked fruit, and frequent insect damage) [Figure 7] Sunshine hours and maximum temperatures in mid-April 2025 (AMeDAS: main production areas) [Figure 8] Cherry fruit quality and kernels in consumer areas: monitoring survey [Figure 9] Seed (kernel) survey of Sato Nishiki cherry in non-irrigated areas: Proof of pseudo-parthenocarpy [Figure 10] Results and considerations of watering effect tests on Sato Nishiki cherries and other varieties [Figure 11] Fruit set and seed (kernel): germ and seed coat thickness of Sato Nishiki cherry in the irrigation area [Figure 12] Snowfall during flowering of deciduous fruit trees (pears, peaches, cherries, etc.): Good results DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In order to understand the ecological trends of the fruit trees, a reference tree will be set up on the west side of the orchard and observed. Using prefectural data as a reference, the team will record the breakage of the flower bud tips, the opening of buds, and the beginning of flowering. In preparation for the arrival of high temperatures, a bare-stick thermometer will be set up at a height of 1.5m in a sunny spot on the west side of the orchard to observe the temperature.

[0020] It is important to predict the arrival of high temperature days in advance by checking the weekly forecast. If a maximum temperature of 20°C or higher is forecast, keep track of the development of flower buds and, for the weather forecast for the day before the high temperature, check the afternoon forecast for each location.

[0021] On hot days, set up shade netting or other sunshades on the west side of the tree zone in the morning to block the direct sunlight in the afternoon, and the shaded area will expand until sunset. This should be set up in advance with the intention of preventing many flower buds from being exposed to direct sunlight (ultraviolet rays) (Figures 2, 3, and 4).

[0022] The temperature is observed around 2:00 p.m., when it reaches its highest temperature, and if it exceeds 20°C, pesticide sprayers and sprinklers are operated to intermittently spray cold water to dissipate the heat from the entire orchard and the flower buds.

[0023] On days when the maximum temperature is well above 20°C, it can be hot even in the evenings of mid-April, so be sure to check the temperature again before sunset and finish once you have noticed that the entire park is cool.

[0024] If you overlook it even once, it can lead to an extreme lack of fruit set and frequent false parthenocarpy, so pay close attention to observing the flower buds and keeping track of the weather forecast, especially in early to mid-April. Since healthy flower buds and a good supply of nutrients are essential, general post-harvest care is important.

[0025] These weather-related measures are implemented continuously until the fruit reaches the growth stage where it is 30% in bloom. As a result, the seeds (kernels) inside the core of the fruit (endocarp) germinate normally, and the yield and quality are specific to each variety. The only way to restore the trust of the region of origin is to produce "true fruit" that satisfies not only producers but also consumers and all those involved in distribution. (Figures 10 and 11)

[0026] It is important to note that frost warnings are issued every year during this growing season, and although people are focused on preventative measures, it is important to take measures to prevent false parthenocarpy, such as the "method for avoiding frost damage" that I invented, which is patented

[0004] . It is important to be fully aware that these two meteorological disasters occur during the same growing season, and to deal with them separately.

[0027] Deciduous fruit trees flower in early spring, and even if there is snowfall during the flowering period, a normal harvest is ensured. In fact, because the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation are significant during the flower bud stage, vigilance is maintained until the tree is about 30% in bloom, and "true fruit" containing seeds (kernels) that germinate using the "water cooling method" that utilizes the abundant meltwater from early spring snow (Figure 12, Figures 1 and 4).

[0028] If the above measures are overlooked by mistake, the cherry will set in large numbers due to the effects of endogenous hormones caused by high temperatures up until the beginning of flowering, as well as gibberellins supplied by pollen from artificial pollination during flowering, and endogenous hormones secreted by the physical stimulation of the feather duster, but it is important to understand that the embryo sac will already be damaged at the bud stage and healthy seeds will not be obtained. Using my utility model

[0005] as a reference, I hope to see the cherry industry begin to create new demand (promotion) by taking on the challenge of creating new added value by utilizing these many soft fruits.

Claims

[Claim 1] In early to mid-April, when the flower buds on the fruit trees are just beginning to open and flowering is just beginning, and on a morning when the predicted maximum temperature is above 20°C, prop up a sunshade on the west side of the tree belt to increase the proportion of shade in the orchard from the afternoon until sunset. Then, if the temperature is measured at a height of 1.5m in the sun at around 2pm and exceeds 20°C, use a pesticide sprayer or similar to intermittently spray cold water over the entire orchard to dissipate the heat from the flower buds. If this method is continued for the entire period, the tissue of the female organs will be protected and mass production of high-quality fruit will be possible. (Figures 1-4) (Figure 10)

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