The first experiences with cherry breeding at the VSUO in Holouvosy in the Czech Republic date back to the late 1960s. The main variety selected from this programme is Kordia, which in recent years has become one of the world's leading varieties in the medium-late ripening period, mainly due to its high fruit quality standards.
The primary objectives of the WSUO programme are cherry quality (size, texture and colour), resistance to cracking and rot, shelf life and plant productivity. MAS technologies are used in the breeding programme for the early selection of genotypes on several traits: self-fertility, spring frost resistance, drought and climate change tolerance and low chilling requirements.
WSUO, besides Kordia, has commercially propagated 28 cherry varieties. The best known are Early Korvik, Christiana, Felicita, Irena, Justyna, Kasandra, Tamara, Techlovan, Tim and Vanda.
Below is the report of Lubor Zelený, cherry breeding project manager at WSUO in Holouvosy, presented at the workshop on cherry variety innovation at Macfrut 2023.
15 Jan 2024
In 2010, a major development project, Consorcio Tecnológico de la Fruta, was initiated to obtain new cultivars suited to the Chilean climate and export market. 24 of the 30 advanced selections have already been grafted and are being studied.
05 Mar 2024
This season was characterised by fruits of good size, texture and flavour. However, the varieties most affected by the weather were the early varieties, says Masman, who points out that in cold conditions, Santina was the most affected variety.
19 Aug 2026
A 44-year INRAE study shows how climate change is reshaping chilling, forcing and sweet cherry flowering in southwestern France, increasing frost risk and challenging phenology models while guiding breeding strategies for stable yields under future climate conditions.
19 Aug 2026
Turkey’s cherry and sour cherry exports surged in the first six months of the year to $101.72 million, up 333% year on year. BAİB accounted for about 40% of shipments, while strong production supported exports to Europe, Russia, Asia and other key international markets.
