The clones of the GiSelA® series are the most widely used rootstocks in cherry cultivation in temperate climates. GiSelA® were obtained from a genetic improvement programme carried out at the University of Giessen, Germany. The aim of this project was to obtain a series of rootstocks with gradual control of tree vigour: dwarfing, semi-dwarfing and medium vigour rootstocks.
Among the major advantages of using GiSelA® are excellent earliness of fruiting and high productivity, good graft compatibility with both sweet and sour cherry varieties, regular branching with a wide growth habitus, good winter frost resistance and virus tolerance.
Obviously, the cultivation management of cherry trees must be adapted to the needs of GiSelA® clones: as they are very fertile rootstocks, they require early and regular pruning in order to ensure sufficient vegetative renewal. In addition, they require high and constant water and nutrient inputs in order to ensure good fruit quality combined with high productivity.
Below is the report of Johannes Feldmann, Director of the Consortium Deutscher Baumschulen - CDB, presented at the workshop on cherry varietal innovation at Macfrut 2023.
06 Sep 2023
A phosphorus deficiency has been found to have a positive impact on antioxidant activity and phenol composition. At the same time, however, it leads to an increase in the activity of respiration rates, resulting in a decrease in conservation potential.
31 Dec 2024
French supermarkets argue that imported products are not sustainable. “Transportation is just one aspect. One must also consider cultivation and packaging, for example. It is possible that local production, perhaps in greenhouses, is less sustainable,” says Veerle Vandersypt.
30 Jan 2025
For an in-depth look at the topics of varietal innovation and modern commercial development strategies for new cherry varieties, Stefano Lugli of Cherry Times interviewed James Calissi, owner of Calissi Farm, a company specialising in nursery and management of new varieties.
30 Jan 2025
Specialists agree that the new varieties have great potential. However, ‘we have to keep working,’ says Walter Masman. ‘It is essential that growers know the specific characteristics of each variety and handle them appropriately.’
