To document the development of new "CITH" varieties, ICAR- Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture Kashmir (India) initiated a rigorous investigation starting in 1996 under the Project "Survey, Collection, Characterization, and Documentation of Temperate Fruit Crops".
The institute has identified and collected variability from the century-old varieties Biggareau Napoleon, Bigarreau Noir Grossa, Guigne Noir Hative, etc. Currently, the institute has a germplasm bank with 30 genotypes of sweet and sour cherries.
Of these, four promising genotypes have been identified, namely, CITH-Cherry-03, CITH-Cherry-05, CITH-Cherry-07, and CITH-Cherry-09. The CITH-Sweet cherry clones, selected from the Double and Misri varieties, bear larger fruits and are attractive in shape and color with a high total soluble solids content and pulp/stone ratio. The new varieties are of good quality with high fruit set (50-80%) under normal conditions.
For more information on CITH varieties, download the PDF here
31 Jul 2025
The Pacific Northwest cherry season is threatened by a severe labor shortage. Fears of deportations and the lack of pickers risk compromising the harvest, especially affecting small growers in Washington, Oregon, and California during a crucial period.
09 Apr 2024
A reduction in sour cherry orchards and processing plants is expected. "The cost of planting and maintaining the current orchards is high," says Tim Brian, president of Smeltzer Orchard Co. "and there are not many to replace them."
11 Jun 2026
In the Andean-Patagonian temperate forest, alien species recruitment depends on predation, frugivory, seedling survival and functional traits. Seed size emerges as the key factor, with Prunus cerasus showing the highest invasive potential among the species studied in Patagonia.
11 Jun 2026
Washington State University is tracing breeder Thomas Toyama’s genetic legacy to develop larger, earlier and more resilient cherries. Historic WSU records are now helping researchers identify valuable traits and strengthen modern sweet cherry breeding programs worldwide.
