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.
08 Jul 2025
A scientific study from Shandong, China, evaluated a postharvest treatment for “Tieton” cherries using hydrocooling and thyme essential oil. The method reduces decay and fungal pathogens, extends shelf life to 12 days, and maintains flavor, firmness, and nutritional properties.
05 Jul 2024
The project was initiated to develop prevention and early detection approaches that can be combined with integrated pest management approaches against these new fruit fly species, particularly for out-of-season fruit production.
15 May 2026
Turkey’s cherry season is set for a strong rebound after last year’s frost damage: rested trees, flowering and good pollination point to satisfactory volumes, quality, and new commercial opportunities across Europe, East Asia and the Middle East for Turkish exporters in 2026.
15 May 2026
The US market offers Southern Hemisphere cherries an $800 million opportunity that remains untapped. At the Global Cherry Summit 2026, Kroger’s Patrick Haines pointed to quality, logistics and targeted marketing as drivers to increase volumes, sales and retail visibility in the U
