Tree age as a determinant of sweet cherry fruit quality: Morphological and physicochemical properties

Abstract

Background Fruit quality in sweet cherry ( Prunus avium L.) is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, but the specific impact of tree age on key fruit traits remains underexplored. Objective This study aimed to assess how tree age affects morphological and physicochemical characteristics of sweet cherry fruits. Methods Twenty genotypes from the INRA-Morocco ex-situ collection were evaluated under uniform environmental conditions. Fruit traits from 5-year-old and 16-year-old trees were compared. Data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and stability analysis. Results Older trees produced significantly larger fruits (mean weight: 7.35 g), while younger trees yielded fruits with higher total soluble solids (20.75 °Brix) and titratable acidity (0.95 g/100 mL). PCA identified fruit size, stone-to-pulp ratio, and acidity as the main contributors to variation between age groups. Stability analysis highlighted ‘Napoleon’, ‘Van’, and ‘Géant d'Hedelfingen’ as consistent performers across both age classes. Conclusions Tree age significantly influences sweet cherry fruit quality. These findings contribute to a better understanding of age-related effects and provide valuable guidance for orchard management and breeding strategies aimed at optimizing fruit quality across tree maturity stages.