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.
04 Dec 2025
Discover the best nutritional practices to improve cherry size, firmness, and post-harvest life. A complete guide to calcium, potassium, boron, and nitrogen applications, plus leaf and soil analysis to ensure top-quality fruit throughout the entire growing season.
16 Jun 2025
In Michigan’s cherry heartland, Talon Felker shares life on the farm through apples, cherries and digital tools. From pest control to social storytelling, his Cherry Ke farm proves how innovation and tradition can shape modern U.S. fruit cultivation.
20 Mar 2026
A study in Spain examines an evergrowing sweet cherry genotype unable to enter dormancy. The research highlights altered expression of DAM genes and offers new insights for genetic improvement and adaptation to climate change in temperate fruit crops.
20 Mar 2026
The CrackSense project investigates sweet cherry cracking in Lithuania and France, highlighting the impact of extreme weather events, sensor-based monitoring, and varietal differences to improve prevention, resilience, and advanced orchard management strategies.
