Development of new sweet cherry varieties at the Julius Kühn-Institut in Dresden-Pillnitz

30 Nov 2023
1902

The systematic Sweet Cherry Breeding in Germany dates to the first work of R. Nebel and C.F. Rudloff in Müncheberg in 1928. After the Second World War, this work was continued by M. Schmidt in Müncheberg until 1955.

In 1953 E.L. Loewel, E.v. Vahl and F.-G. Zahn started a new breeding program in Jork. As a result, the cultivars 'Alma', 'Annabella', 'Bianca', 'Erika', 'Oktavia', 'Regina', 'Valeska', and 'Viola' were selected. From 1985 to 1999 the program was continued by H. Schmidt in Ahrensburg.

A second breeding programme was started in Naumburg by H. Mihatsch and M. Fischer in 1958 and continued in Dresden-Kauscha from 1971 to 1990. The released cultivars from this program are 'Namare', 'Namosa', 'Naprumi', 'Namati', and 'Nadino'. After both breeding programs were terminated, the plant material was transferred to Dresden-Pillnitz, where sweet cherry breeding has been continued by M. Schuster since 2001.

Seven new cultivars have already been released: 'Narana', Swing® 'PiSue 192', 'Habunt', 'Areko', 'Polka', Aria® 'PiSue 161', and 'PiSue 177'. Nineteen new promising breeding clones are currently under multi-site testing and approximately 100 clones are in stage II evaluation. The main breeding objectives are fruit quality, like size, firmness, sugar content, high productivity, self-fertility, and high resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Image 1: Ripening time - JKI sweet cherry cultivars in comparison to cultivars 'Burlat', 'Kordia', and 'Regina'.

Mirko Schuster
Institute for Breeding Research on Fruit Crops, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) – Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, D-01326 Dresden (DE)


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

New tests for Bloom Fresh: new trials in Chile, Peru and Brazil for early and low-chill requirement varieties

Breeding Production Varieties

02 Nov 2023

They will invest in tests in Arica, a northern region of Chile bordering Peru, and also in Brazil, where a professional, Bloom Fresh, will start exploring alliances to look for areas that can produce these fruits.

A natural cherry orchard in the Himalayas: a veteran's ethical choice

Specialties

29 May 2025

On a shaded hillside in Narkanda, a veteran and his wife grow chemical-free cherries. Their journey, born from personal loss, became a beacon of hope and resilience. A touching story of natural farming that nourishes the body, honors the earth, and inspires hearts everywhere.

In evidenza

Reproductive strategies of Prunus cerasus: a weapon for invasion in Patagonian forests

Tech management

30 Jul 2025

The sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) is rapidly spreading in Argentina’s Los Alerces National Park. Its combined sexual and asexual reproduction extends fruiting season and attracts wildlife, increasing its invasive potential and threatening sensitive native species.

Ukrainian late cherry: export potential in Middle Eastern and European markets

Markets

30 Jul 2025

The Ukrainian late cherry positions itself as a competitive product in foreign markets. Harvested in a strategic period, it avoids competition from early varieties and targets Middle Eastern and European markets with quality and optimal volumes for export.

Tag Popolari