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 Aug 2024
Experts claim that extreme weather variability is entirely responsible for this season's poor harvest. Governor Gretchen Whitmer is urging the federal government to declare a natural disaster for Michigan's cherry growers.
29 Apr 2026
A Chinese study examines anthocyanin stability in different cherry species during puree processing, highlighting how chemical structure and processing stages affect pigment loss and the overall quality of the final product.
09 Nov 2026
When sourcing processed cherries from Chile, set specifications, size, Brix, microbiological requirements, packaging, Incoterms and shipping dates before harvest. Terms reduce the risk of an unsuitable lot and give processors time to prepare production for the season.
09 Nov 2026
Winter cold influences dormancy and flowering in berry crops, but chill hours, Utah chill units and chill portions are not interchangeable. From vernalization to chill and forcing models, learn how to interpret cold exposure and validate predictions in field observations.
