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*)
26 Mar 2024
Matt Whiting, WSU physiologist, encouraged farmers to consider crop load management as a 15-month process: from flower bud initiation in spring to harvest in summer. Along the way, farmers have tools to intervene.
28 May 2024
‘This year we have heard that there will be an overlap again,’ says Dan Davis of Washington Fruit Growers. ‘If this is the case, it will favour a transition to Washington, as we will have plenty of volume and good-sized fruit to satisfy the retailers.
02 Nov 2026
Phenoria uses a single smartphone image and AI to assess cherry tree canopies and fruit load. Comparing trees averaging 755 versus 137 fruits, the study shows how digital phenotyping reveals within-orchard variability and helps identify areas for further investigation.
02 Nov 2026
Claudia Soler examines the future of Chilean cherries after two difficult seasons, focusing on premium quality, changing consumer demand in China, export diversification into the US and Europe, stronger logistics and strategies to build a more resilient industry by 2035.
