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.
18 Dec 2024
Researchers from the Ecological Sciences Division of the James Hutton Institute researched collecting infested fruit from both cultivated fields and natural areas to assess genetic differences between Drosophila suzukii individuals feeding on the various fruit cohorts.
12 Feb 2026
Peru is testing commercial cherry production in highland regions such as Arequipa, Junín and Cajamarca, targeting the Chinese market and leveraging the Chancay mega port. First export volumes may arrive in 2026, but the crop remains highly technical and climate-sensitive.
29 May 2026
From Carlo Petrini to the Slow Food Presidia, the future of cherry growing depends on biodiversity. Vignola Moretta Cherry shows an agricultural model that resists global standardization, linking Europe, Turkey and resilient local territories against intensive monocultures.
29 May 2026
Rivoira Group launches Skylar Rae, a premium bicolor cherry without stems, bringing the CherryBerry concept to Italy and Europe. Designed as a crunchy, ready-to-eat natural snack, it debuts commercially in June 2026 across Italy, Germany and selected overseas markets as well.
