International Fruit Genetics (IFG) is a breeding company based in Bakersfield (CA USA) in the San Joaquin Valley, active in the development of new seedless table grape and cherry varieties.
The objectives of the genetic improvement programme, led by David Cain and Chris Owens on the cherry tree, are to develop dark or yellow-red cherries with low to medium chilling requirements, early ripening, high heat tolerance, firm flesh, large fruit size, consistent productivity and exceptional fruit quality, both fresh and after cold storage.
Cheery Burst® (IFG Cher-two*)
Since the founding of IFG in 2001, more than 50,000 cherry seedlings have been obtained and evaluated, leading to the selection of more than 300 new genotypes that have passed to the final testing stage.
In 2019, seven new cherry cultivars were licensed and patented: Cheery Grand® (IFG Cher-one*), Cheery Burst® (IFG Cher-two*), Cheery Crunch® (IFG Cher-three*), Cheery Blush® (IFG Cher-four*), Cheery Treat® (IFG Cher-five*), Cheery Glow® (IFG Cher-six*), and Cheery Moon® (IFG Cher-seven*). In 2022, IFG's Cheery Cherry® line is expanded with three new introductions: Cheery Nebula® (IFG Cher-eight*), Cheery Chap® (IFG Cher-nine*) and Cheery Cupid® (IFG Cher-ten*).
| Brand | Variety | ER1 | Cold requirements | Flowering | Fruit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AF/AI | Allele | Ø mm | Colour | ||||
| Cheery Blush® | IFG Cher-Four | +4 | < 300 | AI | S1S6 | 26-27 | bicolor |
| Cheery Burst® | IFG Cher-Two | 0 | 300-500 | AI | S9S? | 28-30 | |
| Cheery Crunch® | IFG Cher-Three | -4 | < 300 | AI | S3S6 | 24-26 | |
| Cheery Glow® | IFG Cher-Six | +8 | 300-500 | AI | S1S6 | 28-29 | bicolor |
| Cheery Grand® | IFG Cher-One | +1 | 500-700 | AI | S6S9 | 29-30 | |
| Cheery Moon® | IFG Cher-Seven | +9 | > 700 | AI | S4S9 | > 30 | |
| Cheery Treat® | IFG Cher-Five | +1 | 300-500 | AI | S9S? | 28-30 | |
| Cheery Nebula® | IFG Cher-Eight | 0 | < 300 | AI | S1S6 | > 29 | |
| Cheery Chap® | IFG Cher-Nine | -4 | < 300 | AI | S3S4 | 25-27 | |
| Cheery Cupid® | IFG Cher-Ten | -2 | 300-500 | AI | S1S3 | 28-29 | |
| 1. Harvest start period: days +/- compared to Burlat | |||||||
| Source: Owens, 2019 | |||||||
Cheery Glow® (IFG Cher-six*)
23 Sep 2025
Advanced tree training techniques in narrow orchard systems: shoot removal, horizontal cordons and vertical leaders for cherry, plum, apple, pear and nectarine. The NOS project operates in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and NSW with multiple trial sites.
16 May 2025
A three-year study in Bulgaria shows that San Jose scale severely damages apples, cherries and plums grown both in protected and open fields. Infected propagation material significantly worsens plant quality and growth in nurseries.
02 Jul 2026
Chile’s cherry industry faces a decisive phase: softer exports, heavy dependence on China, more digital consumers and rising technical pressures demand sharper strategies to protect profitability, fruit quality and global leadership in fresh produce markets worldwide.
02 Jul 2026
British Columbia’s Canadian cherry growers expect one of their strongest 2026 harvests in recent years. Larger fruit, higher Brix levels, new varieties and solid export demand strengthen Canada’s position in premium cherry markets across Europe and Asia, too.
