For Macfrut 2023 it was an honour to host during the WS cherry tree Prof. Marlene Ayala of the Catholic University of Chile, the person in charge of the main genetic improvement project on the cherry tree, started in 2010 and carried out in the largest cherry exporting country in the world, as well as the third largest cherry producer in the world and, so far at least, among the first importers of technological and varietal innovations.
Thanks to PMGC, the breeding programme supported by ASOEX - Consorcio Tecnologico de la Fruta and CORFO, a group of Chilean fruit producers and exporters, by 2030 Chile will be able to grow its own varieties and, probably, start exporting not only cherries but also new plant patents!
Below is the video of the report presented at Macfrut 2023.
Greece’s cherry season is producing record volumes in Pella, but low prices, foreign competition, labour shortages and packaging problems are squeezing growers’ and packers’ margins, despite the excellent quality of fruit shipped to export markets across Central Europe.
The results of a recent study showed a significant reduction in bird damage in covered rows compared to uncovered ones. Furthermore, measurements of fruit quality showed no significant differences.
In Chile, biostimulants based on Macrocystis pyrifera, alone or combined with Pseudomonas koreensis, improve the ‘Colt’ cherry rootstock response to drought and water stress by supporting photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal control, root growth and plant resilience.
In the United States, vacuum microwave drying is emerging as a fast and efficient solution to extend the shelf life of cherries and berries, preserving their quality, color, shape, and nutrients while reducing processing times compared with conventional drying methods.