We are pleased to publish in our magazine the interview of Dr. PhD José Quero Garcia (JQG), esteemed French researcher from INRAE and authoritative member of the scientific committee of Cherry Times, with the Chilean researcher Dr. José Manuel Donoso (JMD) of INIA Rayantué.
JQG. For how long have you been a sweet cherry breeder?
JMD. I initiated as assistant breeder this work in 2009, then I was for four years, between 2010 and 2014, in the Pere Arús's team doing my PhD. After that I become the program manager until now.
What are the main goals of your program?
Mostly similar to the majority of sweet cherry breeding programs: size, firmness, taste, color, post-harvest life, stalk characteristics, cracking tolerance, fruit maturity, production precocity (or length of juvenility period), productivity and self-fertility (in particular in the extremely early flowering hybrids) but the Chilean program has the particularity additionally of low chill genetics and ultra-early maturity time. At the same time, we are starting research activities on the sensitivity to bacterial canker, in collaboration with Dr. Boris Sagredo...
Want to access the full interview? Sign up for our free Cherry Times newsletter! This is the only way to receive each new article from this column directly in your inbox and stay updated with high-quality advice and analysis. Don't miss this unique opportunity!
Sign up for the Cherry Times newsletter for free!
22 Dec 2023
Top Plant Nurseries has been responding to the demand for certified plants for Italian and foreign fruit growers for more than 30 years. Today the nursery is managed by Enrico Mazzon, and it'is with him that we want to delve into the working method of Top Plant Nurseries.
02 Dec 2025
For the first time, Chilean cherries harvested in week 45 will be shipped to Europe by sea. CMR Group and C&L lead this early-season strategy, with arrival expected in Rotterdam on December 9. A game-changer for the European off-season fresh fruit market.
03 Dec 2025
Wild cherry (Prunus avium) micropropagation improves through three synthetic CKX inhibitors. The study shows increased biomass and in vitro proliferation, opening new perspectives for elite genotype cloning in reforestation and genetic conservation programs.
03 Dec 2025
Fruits of Chile’s Cherry Committee presents a renewed global strategy for 2025, targeting China, USA, India and Korea. Key actions include retail partnerships, consumer education, winter sports marketing, and health-focused campaigns to boost cherry demand and trust.
