ABSTRACT
Performance of sweet cherry trees trained to a central leader and pergola system

Agustín Badilla1, Miguel Palma1, Mariana Moya1, and José Antonio Yuri1
 
Sweet cherry (Prunus avium (L.) L.) cultivation has expanded remarkably in Chile, surpassing 80000 ha, driving the need for orchard management strategies that enhance precocity, profitability, fruit quality, and operational efficiency. This study evaluated the effect of two training systems with permanent wood renewal: Central leader and pergola, on light interception, leaf gas exchange, vegetative growth, and fruit production of ‘Lapins’/‘Colt’ sweet cherry trees. Light interception by the trees was higher in pergola (83%) than in central leader (36%). Leaf transpiration rate and stomatal conductance in trees trained in the pergola system were 32% and 39% lower, respectively, compared with the central leader, although no differences were observed in photosynthetic rate. The leaf area per tree was 66% higher in the pergola system than that observed in central leader. Fruit production per tree did not differ between systems; however, pergola produced 49% more fruit per branch and 73% more leaf area per fruit than central leader. Fruit from trees trained on pergola were larger, but showed slightly less intense color and higher acidity compared to those from central leader, suggesting delayed ripening. These results provide relevant production indicators for decision-making in the establishment of new commercial sweet cherry orchards.
Key words: Fruit size, leaf area, light interception, Prunus avium, trunk cross-sectional area, yield efficiency.
1Universidad de Talca, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Centro de Pomáceas, Talca, Chile.
*Corresponding author (ayuri@utalca.cl).
Received: 23 April 2026; Accepted: 28 July 2026, Available online: 7 September 2026.