Excellent prospects from INIA's Chilean cherry breeding program

10 Feb 2025
2108

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!


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Australia launches export plan: premium cherries target global markets

Markets

24 Oct 2025

Australia launches a new strategy to triple cherry exports by 2030, focusing on quality, premium markets, grower training and market access. Led by Hort Innovation, the plan aims to position Australian cherries as a top-tier product in international markets.

Chinese supermarket JD Super secures partnership with Chile for the next 3 years

Markets

15 Jan 2025

Thanks to large-scale direct sourcing, JD’s procurement team has reduced the import costs of Chilean cherries, offering consumers prices approximately 15% lower than those on other e-commerce platforms for the same quality and size.

In evidenza

Cherries: Mendoza imports certified rootstocks from Chile for the first time

Nurseries

29 Oct 2025

Mendoza has imported 25,000 certified cherry rootstocks from Chile for the first time. This virus-free plant material will improve fruit quality, boost long-term yields, and attract investments to expand cherry orchards across the Argentine region.

Cherry acidity: Chinese research reveals key genes behind malate control

Breeding

29 Oct 2025

A Chinese study on 97 cherry genotypes from 10 countries reveals key genes responsible for malate biosynthesis and transport, the main acid shaping fruit flavor. A breakthrough for breeding programs aiming to enhance cherry quality and consumer appeal.

Tag Popolari