The seminar “Phytosanitary Challenges in Cherry Trees: Problems and Solutions,” organized by the Dissemination Project and Transfer of the South Fruit Growing Center, was recently held at the Auditorium of the Colchagua Campus of the Universidad de O'Higgins, located in San Fernando (O'Higgins Region).
The day began with greetings from Claudia Jorquera, coordinator of the South Fruit Growing Center program, followed by the first presentation by Dr. Nicola Fiore, an academic and researcher from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Chile (UCHILE), who illustrated the implications of various viruses, the damage they can cause to a cherry tree, and the importance of prevention as the main form of management.
The event continued with a presentation by Dr. Alan Zamorano, assistant professor in the Department of Plant Health of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at UCHILE, who spoke about the bacteria present in cherry trees and how genomic studies can improve their detection.
Subsequently, the second block began with the presentation by Dr. Carlos Castañeda, academic, researcher, and director of the Nematology Laboratory of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at UCHILE.
The last presentation followed, given by Dr. Ernesto San Blas, an academic at the Institute of Agro-Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences (ICA3) of the Universidad de O'Higgins (UOH). This block was dedicated to nematodes, presenting basic information on the implications of the presence of parasitic nematodes in plants and entomopathogens.
According to Dr. Castañeda, the seminar was an excellent opportunity to discuss the challenges that parasitic nematodes pose in cherry orchards. He also emphasized that the interaction with the participants was enriching, adding: “I am convinced that this type of event is essential for disseminating the importance of phytosanitary issues that go unnoticed, integrating their relevance with the implementation of sustainable and effective agricultural practices.”
The following presentations were made (click on the title to download the presentation in Spanish):
Source: Diario Frutícola
Image: SL Fruit Service
13 Oct 2025
Full analysis of Chile's 2025/26 cherry campaign: record production, cold chain logistics, postharvest quality, climate and market risks, China’s dominance, emerging markets and strategic recommendations to ensure quality, profitability and competitiveness.
22 Dec 2023
Top Plant Nurseries has been responding to the demand for certified plants for Italian and foreign fruit growers for more than 30 years. Today the nursery is managed by Enrico Mazzon, and it'is with him that we want to delve into the working method of Top Plant Nurseries.
15 Sep 2026
Australian cherry production is forecast to fall 15% in 2026/27, to 17,000 metric tons after a winter with fewer chill hours. Exports are expected at 4,000 MT, while dry conditions and high irrigation costs could add pressure for growers in Victoria and New South Wales.
15 Sep 2026
A three-year survey of 222 orchards in O’Higgins, Chile, validates a rapid Leaf Disc Assay to identify sweet cherry cultivars with lower susceptibility to bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae, supporting faster and more sustainable breeding decisions today.
