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.
03 Apr 2026
Dark sweet cherries improve gut microbiota, reduce inflammation, and support memory and focus. Scientific studies highlight benefits for metabolism and cognitive health, especially in higher-risk individuals and widespread metabolic conditions, with growing scientific validation.
30 Jun 2026
China’s market for Chilean cherries is changing as shoppers prioritize flavor, firmness and food safety over gift purchases. Record exports, tighter standards and wider diversification define the next stage for Chile’s cherry industry after CherryTech 2026 in China.
16 Jul 2026
A study on Kordia and Regina sweet cherries shows that Vidre+ stickers releasing 1-MCP reduce weight loss and stem browning while preserving firmness, vitamin C, polyphenols and antioxidant capacity during 21 days of cold storage at 2-3 °C, improving storage stability.
16 Jul 2026
A biodegradable PBAT film with curcumin and laser microperforations improves sweet cherry storage by reducing browning, moisture loss and decay. It preserves firmness, aroma and freshness, extends shelf life and supports a cost-effective, sustainable packaging solution.
