A study conducted between 2023 and 2024 in Moldova analyzed the agronomic performance of five sweet cherry cultivars — “Kordia”, “Regina”, “Summit”, “Sweet Saretta”, and “Sweet Stephany” — grafted onto the dwarfing rootstock “Gisela 6” and grown in a super-intensive orchard located in the northern region of the Republic of Moldova, specifically in Sturzeni, Riscani district.
The orchard, established in 2018 with a 4x1 m planting system (density of 2500 trees/ha), adopted a modern slender spindle training system with north-south row orientation, drip irrigation, anti-hail netting, grass-covered inter-rows, and tilled in-row soil.
The primary objective of the study was to evaluate differences in productivity, fruit quality, and technological traits according to cultivar.
The findings showed a clear yield advantage for “Summit”, “Sweet Saretta”, and “Sweet Stephany” varieties, which achieved average yields between 18.38 and 19.59 t/ha, compared to “Kordia” and “Regina”, whose yields ranged from 12.71 to 13.22 t/ha.
Tree productivity followed a similar trend: in the sixth year after planting, the most productive cultivars reached 8.27 – 9.12 kg/tree, while “Kordia” and “Regina” remained at 6.85 and 5.72 kg/tree, respectively.
Image 1. Sweet Stephany
The quality data further confirmed the superiority of certain cultivars over others: fruits of “Sweet Stephany” and “Summit” showed larger sizes, 30.82 mm and 30.48 mm, greater weights, 12.11 g and 11.92 g, and high levels of soluble solids, 19.05% and 18.93 %Brix, which are all essential parameters for fresh market sales, especially in Europe.
Flesh firmness (measured with an AGROSTA 100) was optimal across all cultivars, ranging from 3.04 to 3.29 kg/cm², with slightly higher values in “Sweet Saretta” and “Regina”.
Titratable acidity showed only minor variations between cultivars, ranging from 0.57 to 0.67 g of malic acid per 100 g of fresh fruit.
Image 2. Sweet Saretta
The study demonstrates that varietal selection plays a decisive role in the economic success of modern sweet cherry orchards, directly influencing yield, visual and sensory fruit quality, and commercial suitability.
The “Summit”, “Sweet Saretta”, and “Sweet Stephany” cultivars, thanks to their high and stable performance, are particularly well-suited to super-intensive cultivation systems in Moldova and offer a strong response to the current market demand, increasingly oriented toward large, sweet, firm, and visually attractive fruits.
Yield differences between cultivars were found to be statistically significant, even when considering annual fluctuations due to climatic factors.
Moreover, it is important to emphasize that the integration of proper varietal choice, advanced agronomic practices, and precision input management are key elements for the future of cherry cultivation, enabling both high yields and excellent fruit quality.
In this context, sweet cherry growing can remain a strategic option for modern horticulture in favorable pedoclimatic environments.
The results of this study provide valuable guidance for agronomists, consultants, and agricultural entrepreneurs involved in planning new sweet cherry orchards, particularly in Moldova.
Fonte: Bălan, V., Russu, S., & Bilici, I. (2024). The yield, quality and utilization of sweet cherries. Annals of the University of Craiova, Biology, Horticulture, Food products processing technology, Environmental engineering, 29(65).
Andrea Giovannini
University of Bologna (ITA)
05 Nov 2024
In Osorno, cherry production is protected by covers due to the climatic conditions; this is one of the reasons why UdeC Agronomy experts will have to conduct studies to achieve improvements in production and marketing.
02 Jan 2025
Leptopilina japonica joins Ganaspis brasiliensis in the Fondazione Edmund Mach trial. Although Ganaspis brasiliensis remains the leading candidate, it is expected that the two insects can work synergistically to enhance control efficacy.
30 Jul 2025
The sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) is rapidly spreading in Argentina’s Los Alerces National Park. Its combined sexual and asexual reproduction extends fruiting season and attracts wildlife, increasing its invasive potential and threatening sensitive native species.
30 Jul 2025
The Ukrainian late cherry positions itself as a competitive product in foreign markets. Harvested in a strategic period, it avoids competition from early varieties and targets Middle Eastern and European markets with quality and optimal volumes for export.
