The cultivation and breeding of sour cherries has a long tradition in Germany. The first breeding activities are associated with the work of M. Schmidt in Müncheberg and M. Zwitzscher in Cologne-Vogelsang. As a result, the cultivars 'Mailot', 'Cerella', 'Nabella', 'Successa', and 'Bonnie' were selected.
In a second breeding program by H. Jacob in Geisenheim, the two cultivars 'Gerema' and 'Geresa' were selected in 1993. In 1965, a third breeding program was started by B. Wolfram in Müncheberg, which was continued in Dresden-Pillnitz from 1971 to 2000. The success of this breeding work is documented by the cultivars 'Karneol', 'Korund', 'Topas', 'Safir', and 'Morina'.
DSince 2001, M. Schuster continued this program. Eight new cultivars have already been released since 2001, 'Jade', Achat', 'Spinell', 'Turmalin', 'Taurus', 'Rubellit', 'Jachim', and 'Boas'. Two new breeding clones are currently in multi-site testing and 87 clones are in stage II evaluation. The main breeding objectives are fruit quality and fertility, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and characteristics for mechanical harvesting of the fruits
Ripening time - JKI sour cherry cultivars in comparison to cultivars 'Ungarische Traubige', 'Morina', and 'Schattenmorelle'.
Mirko Schuster
Institute of Breeding Research on Fruit Crops, Julius Kühn-Institut, Dresden-Pillnitz (DE)
20 Oct 2023
The problem is the hours of cold. We speak of temperatures below 7° or 8°; and these temperatures do not occur on the Peruvian coast. Today, with the varieties tested, it is not possible to produce cherries in Peru; you get to flowering, but then the fruit does not set.
02 May 2025
The 2024/2025 season turned critical for Chilean cherries, marked by record harvests, phytosanitary challenges, fake news, and logistical chaos. Mario Edwards of the Cherry Committee calls for unity, self-regulation, and quality to regain global market trust.
20 Jun 2025
In Leuggern, a 1,300-panel agrivoltaic system is being built over a cherry orchard: shielding from hail, heat, and frost, dynamic light control, and 800 MWh annually. The “insolagrin” tech cuts pesticide use and enhances the resilience of field-grown cherry crops.
20 Jun 2025
During the 2025 Technical Tour in Spain, ANA Chile® evaluated very early and low-chill cherry varieties, already present in Chile. Selections like the promising Selection 10 and Ibergen genotypes showed excellent quality, productivity, and commercial potential.
