16 February 2024 | Paolo La Spada, Eva Dominguez, Alberto Continella, Antonio Heredia, Alessandra Gentile
This mini review explores the multifaceted factors contributing to fruit cracking, a physiological disorder affecting various fruit crops and vegetables. The study emphasizes the significant roles of environmental and agronomic factors in the occurrence of fruit cracking. Environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and light exposure are identified as key determinants. Mineral nutrition and plant growth regulators (PGRs) are also crucial, with calcium deficiency being a prominent issue in multiple fruit species. Precision farming and monitoring systems, including machine learning, have emerged as valuable tools for managing environmental factors and optimizing fruit production. By closely monitoring parameters like temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and fruit skin temperature, growers can make informed decisions to prevent or reduce fruit cracking. The review concludes that effective prevention of fruit cracking requires a comprehensive approach that integrates both environmental and agronomic factors, with tailored models and decision support systems offering promising avenues for improving fruit quality and minimizing economic losses.This mini review explores the multifaceted factors contributing to fruit cracking, a physiological disorder affecting various fruit crops and vegetables. The study emphasizes the significant roles of environmental and agronomic factors in the occurrence of fruit cracking. Environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and light exposure are identified as key determinants. Mineral nutrition and plant growth regulators (PGRs) are also crucial, with calcium deficiency being a prominent issue in multiple fruit species. Precision farming and monitoring systems, including machine learning, have emerged as valuable tools for managing environmental factors and optimizing fruit production. By closely monitoring parameters like temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and fruit skin temperature, growers can make informed decisions to prevent or reduce fruit cracking. The review concludes that effective prevention of fruit cracking requires a comprehensive approach that integrates both environmental and agronomic factors, with tailored models and decision support systems offering promising avenues for improving fruit quality and minimizing economic losses.