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.
A recent study in France shows how mild winters disrupt dormancy in the Regina sweet cherry tree, leading to delayed blooming, malformed flowers, and lower productivity. These findings highlight the urgent need to adapt fruit farming to ongoing climate change in temperate regions
A recent study from Poland compared two propagation methods for GiSelA 5: the use of stem cuttings and the in vitro method, evaluating their impact on tree growth, particularly on the varieties “Bellise”, “Earlise”, “Lapins”, and “Vanda”.
A recent Serbian study tested 14 cherry rootstocks on heavy, acidic soils without irrigation. Results show how each rootstock impacts fruit size, sugars, acidity and antioxidants, helping farmers make better rootstock-cultivar choices for quality yield.
In 2025, the CTIFL research center in La Tapy (France) evaluated 20 cherry varieties, focusing on fruit size, productivity, firmness, and resistance to cracking. Researcher Aliénor Royer-Lanoote presented key data to guide cherry orchard planning across European growing regions.