Effect of Rain Cover on Tree Physiology and Fruit Condition and Quality of ‘Rainier’, ‘Bing’ and ‘Sweetheart’ Sweet Cherry Trees

A study was conducted in a commercial sweet cherry orchard central Chile. The objective to evaluate the rain cover effect on changes microclimate, vegetative growth, plant physiology and fruit quality of ‘Rainier’, ‘Bing’ ‘Sweetheart’ trees. data were compared control without cover. results showed that, under cover, there 50–60% reduction total solar radiation, as well an increase air temperature (+0.6 °C) decrease relative humidity (?4.7 percentage points) upper canopy zone. Regarding trees greater shoot length (28–58%) leaf area (24–54%) observed among cultivars control; trunk cross-sectional only significant it being 1.2 times CO2 assimilation no differences, but transpiration rate observed. firmness sugar content fruits negatively affected by those characteristics major relevance for growers. Additionally, contents anthocyanins carotenoids antioxidant capacity significantly lower ‘Rainier’ while phenol decreased all three cultivars. did not affect tree physiology, can be detrimental bicolor with yellow flesh due color phenolic compounds development.