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):
-
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.
05 Feb 2026
A research study from the University of Chile investigates how controlled atmosphere storage improves the shelf life of ‘Bing’ and ‘Lapins’ sweet cherries. Results show significant postharvest quality improvements under cold storage and market simulation conditions.
28 Apr 2026
Bud dormancy in fruit trees is increasingly affected by climate change. Reduced winter chill disrupts flowering and yield, driving research into agrochemicals and more sustainable strategies to maintain productivity, crop quality, and consistent plant development.
28 Apr 2026
The Chilean cherry sector shifts strategy: less rapid growth, more focus on quality, logistics and reputation. The Chinese market is more demanding, while the industry targets higher standards and diversification to sustain value.
