These resources detail the process and findings from an applied research project that studied using vented orchard covers to protect cherries from rain splitting and hail damage.
The three-year study looked at:
- Cost-effectiveness of vented covers
- Fruit sugars, firmness and size
- Rain and hail damage between covered versus uncovered fruit
Further research/data is needed before making recommendations to industry, but project findings included:
- Cracked fruit was reduced when under covers
- Covers increased humidity by 20-30%, reducing irrigation requirements by 30% compared to fields in close proximity
- Covers mitigated heat street of trees, under extreme heat situations
- No instances of powdery mildew under covers
- Covered crops had similar levels of sugars and firmness to uncovered crops
- Covers did not guarantee protection from rain and hail but were a significant improvement
