Cherry Times hosts the presentations displayed on Saturday 10 June in Palombara, Rome, during the National Cherry Symposium, a scientific and academic event at the service of farmers and lovers of the Sabina cherries.
The event took place within the framework of the 95th Historical Edition of the Sagra delle Cerase, the oldest in Europe of this crop, based on a centuries-old tradition, due to the Cerase del Papa variety, dating back to Honorius IV (around 1200).
The aim of the Symposium was to foster cherry production, drawing attention to a product of Italian excellence that can represent the crop of attraction and valorisation, taking stock of the latest developments in agrifood research, focusing on the Sabina area.
Another objective was to connect national and local administrations, public opinion, and the scientific and academic world with operators in the agri-food sector, who invest energy and time on the excellence and uniqueness to which cherries are an undisputed witness of flavour and beauty.
Here the Symposium programme in pdf (Italian).
Symposium reports (Italian):
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18 Dec 2025
Researchers from Michigan State University use high-frequency GPR, neural networks, and drones to analyze sour cherry tree roots non-invasively. The method enables accurate biomass estimates and helps optimize irrigation and nutrient strategies in orchards.
19 May 2025
A study conducted in Moldova (2022–2023) assessed the effectiveness of two new fungicides against cherry pathogens like Monilia and Clasterosporium. Results outperformed standard treatments, improving tree health, yield and fruit quality in cherry orchards.
10 Apr 2026
The first Spanish greenhouse cherries reach the European market with very limited volumes and prices up to €80/kg. Strong demand from the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the UK, while the open-field season may start later than usual, impacting exports.
10 Apr 2026
A study on 22 sweet cherry cultivars in Zaragoza examines how warmer winters affect dormancy and flowering. Declining winter chill alters phenology and threatens yield, varietal adaptation and long-term sustainability in Mediterranean growing regions.
