Hongpeng  Wang , Shiying Yu

Biotechnology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, China
Author    Correspondence author
Biological Evidence, 2026, Vol. 16, No. 2   
Received: 20 Feb., 2026    Accepted: 27 Mar., 2026    Published: 16 Apr., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), as a high-value fruit crop, has long been constrained by rain-induced fruit cracking, while fruit quality is highly dependent on canopy microenvironment and cultivation practices. This study focuses on rain-shelter cultivation systems and systematically analyzes the integrated mechanisms by which canopy structure, rainfall exposure, water relations, and light distribution influence fruit cracking and quality formation. Fruit cracking is mainly driven by factors such as skin structural properties, water absorption processes on the fruit surface, and the duration of surface wetness. Meanwhile, canopy structure significantly affects cracking risk by regulating rainfall interception, ventilation conditions, and fruit spatial distribution. Planar and well-ventilated canopy architectures help reduce fruit wetting duration and lower the incidence of cracking. Although rain-shelter facilities can effectively block precipitation, they also alter microenvironmental conditions such as light, temperature, and humidity. By properly configuring canopy architecture, optimizing pruning and fruiting zone management, and integrating scientific water and nutrient regulation, it is possible to reduce cracking risk while maintaining or improving fruit market quality. This study provides a systematic theoretical basis and integrated management strategies for efficient sweet cherry production in rainy regions.

Sweet cherry; Fruit cracking; Rain-shelter cultivation; Canopy structure; Fruit quality