Dr. Amnon Lichter, Researcher at the Volcani Institute and expert in post-harvest viticulture, joins this feature of our Spotlight series to discuss his role in the CrackSense project addressing fruit cracking in grapes. He outlines the primary causes and explains how these factors can inadvertently increase grape cracking risk, while also sharing useful findings from the project. Listen now to learn how cracking can be mitigated and grape quality improved.
Understanding the Causes of Grape Cracking
Could you please give us a short introduction to yourself, your research background, and your organisation?
My name is Dr. Amnon Lichter. I am an expert in post-harvest, especially in grapes and viticulture. My institute is the main agricultural institute in Israel, the Volcani Institute, which is leading the CrackSense project. CrackSense is a term that I originally coined.
We are dealing with the issue of fruit cracking, which is a global problem. I work on grapes, which are consumed worldwide.
Could you explain what makes grapes particularly susceptible to cracking?
There are several main reasons for cracking in fruits, particularly in grapes. The first is the variety, as there are varieties that are more susceptible to cracking, such as the ones we are working on in Israel. Another factor is irrigation. Growers aim to optimise growth and achieve maximum yield, meaning larger fruit size. However, this often comes at the expense of traits such as resistance to cracking. For example, if growers produce a 2g berry, cracking is unlikely, but if they aim for a 10g berry, problems can occur.
We are therefore trying to find the optimal balance between growth, irrigation, and overall conditions. Within the CrackSense project, the general approach is to understand whether we can predict cracking using high-throughput methods. High-throughput refers to the use of multispectral cameras, drones, satellites, and other technologies, combined with a better understanding of the physiological mechanisms that lead to cracking, including the role of climate. These are the main issues we are addressing in CrackSense, particularly in relation to grape cracking.
What strategies help prevent or predict the likelihood of grape cracking?
From the research we have conducted during this period, we have found that one of the most important traits influencing grape cracking is firmness. If the berries are too firm, they are more likely to crack. We also found that firmness is determined in the early stages of grape development. Therefore, we are trying to mitigate this by applying higher irrigation at the beginning of the season, aiming to establish an effective mitigation strategy to reduce cracking. We expect to achieve this during the project. The other aspects of the project will require understanding how much they contribute to the overall mitigation strategies.
Conclusion
Managing grape cracking requires balancing fruit growth with resilience, supported by a better understanding of key traits such as firmness and the role of early-season conditions. Combining physiological insights with advanced monitoring approaches offers a promising path towards more effective mitigation strategies.
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