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*)
05 Apr 2024
"The country recorded a 43% increase in exports this 2023-2024 season," says Wayne Prowse, director of Cherry Growers Australia, "exceeding 4,000 tonnes was good. But it is still not the growth to return to 2017-2020 levels."
15 May 2024
Over 1,400 participants from various national and international industry sectors gathered for the fifth Global Cherry Summit, which was attended by a large Chinese delegation, including the Chinese Ambassador to Chile, Niu Qingbao.
04 Jun 2025
A study in Chile’s Maule region analyzes the impact of plastic covers on cherry trees: temperature, humidity, solar radiation and water use. The data help growers reduce abiotic stress and improve post-harvest management during warm and dry seasonal conditions.
04 Jun 2025
Explore the agronomic impact of new Hungarian-bred Mahaleb rootstocks for sweet cherry. Trial results on tree vigour, fruit weight, and yield in irrigated and rain-fed conditions. Complete and reliable data from test orchards near Budapest and Győr, Hungary.
