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.
20 Jun 2025
During the 2025 Technical Tour in Spain, ANA Chile® evaluated very early and low-chill cherry varieties, already present in Chile. Selections like the promising Selection 10 and Ibergen genotypes showed excellent quality, productivity, and commercial potential.
16 Sep 2026
A study in Western Poland examines how wild cherry (Prunus avium) responds to temperature and rainfall. Tree-ring growth highlights the species’ potential for dendrochronology, dendroclimatology and climate research, while showing marked differences among local sites.
22 Sep 2026
A Chilean study on Lapins and Regina cherries tests melatonin before and after harvest: greener stems and delayed ripening, but no improvement in firmness and a higher incidence of orange peel disorder, limiting its technical and commercial use for long-distance shipping.
22 Sep 2026
Bacterial canker in sweet cherry, caused by Pseudomonas syringae, is becoming more frequent in Washington. Learn the key symptoms, susceptible cultivars, predisposing conditions and management practices that can help reduce infection, tree decline and orchard losses.
