Sour cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) have a very large genome (tetraploid). This is due to the fact that during evolution, meaning the transition from wild ancestors to modern varieties, the genomes of the parent plants combined. The size and complexity of the genome have so far made it difficult to decode the complete genetic sequence of some varieties.
A research group from the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) in Dresden, the University of Greifswald, and the Dutch company KeyGene has now succeeded in doing this for the “Schattenmorelle” variety. In “Frontiers in Plant Science,” the researchers describe how they decoded the building blocks of the large genome using an innovative technology capable of generating long DNA sequences and bioinformatics tricks.
With the genome sequence of the sour cherry, all the important genetic data are now available to draw conclusions about the origin of sour cherries.
The steppe cherry, depicted here as a flowering shrub, is clearly a parent of today's sour cherry species.
“Sour cherries originated in the regions of the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea through the natural crossbreeding of the two parental species of the steppe cherry (Prunus fruticosa Pall.) and the sweet cherry (P. avium L.),” reports Dr. Thomas Wöhner from JKI in Dresden-Pillnitz. The exact time and place of this “spontaneous mating” and its effects on the genome structure are not yet fully clarified.
“What is certain, however, is that the two parental species initially developed separately from each other. Later, in areas where they evolved simultaneously, a random hybridization must have occurred, giving rise to today’s sour cherries,” explains the researcher. As confirmed by the genome sequence of the sour cherry, the genome of the sour cherry is made up of two parts. One half of the chromosomes comes from the sweet cherry, and the other from the steppe cherry.
Source: Bionity.com
Image: Bionity.com
23 Dec 2024
A recent study analysed the quality of sour cherry juice packaged in glass and Tetra Pak, evaluating sensory and physico-chemical parameters. The aim was to provide useful information to consumers and ensure adequate quality standards.
27 Oct 2025
Applying calcium to the soil during spring can enhance cherry firmness in Chile, even in calcium-rich soils. This article explores early-season applications, the role of vapor pressure deficit (VPD), root zone temperatures, and internal calcium reserves in fruit trees.
09 Oct 2026
A German study compares mineral nitrogen in apple and sweet cherry orchard soils. Nitrate accounts for 83% in apple orchards, while ammonium reaches 58% in cherry orchards. The findings highlight crop-specific soil interactions and implications for nitrogen fertilization.
09 Oct 2026
Cherry juice is gaining popularity among footballers and cyclists for its potential muscle recovery benefits. Rich in anthocyanins and polyphenols, research suggests it may help regulate inflammation and oxidative stress after intense exercise, supporting athletic recovery.
