The sustainability of cherry production is becoming an increasingly pressing need due to climate change and serious environmental problems, such as decreasing water availability and rising spring-summer temperatures, and the loss of biodiversity.
To remedy these problems, Serbian researchers from the University of Novi Sad studied the native germplasm of the cherry tree as a possible source of new rootstocks. The research, carried out on an experimental cherry orchard bred in a semi-arid, non-irrigated climate, showed that a judicious choice of rootstock allows cherry trees to grow moderately, with a good dwarfing effect, produce well and adapt to critical conditions without compromising cherry quality, provided that production efficiency goals are achieved through proper tree management.
The Serbian region where the new rootstocks were evaluated had a continental climate, characterised by extremely hot summers and cold winters. During the trial (2017-2021), the average annual T was 13°C, with daily maxima reaching 41°C and winter T dropping to -23°C. Rainfall totals varied from 500 to 700mm. The soil conditions were also not optimal for cherry cultivation, with a sandy-loam type soil (40% sand, 38% silt and 22% clay), a pH close to 8, a CaCO3 content of more than 3% and an organic C content of less than 2%.
The trial was set up at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Novi Sad by planting in a high-density planting (4m x 2m = 1250 trees/ha) rods of the Summit cv grafted on six rootstocks one of comparison, Gisela 5 (Prunus cerasus x Prunus canecens) and five new potential rootstocks, obtained from a clonal selection process performed in Serbia on local populations of Prunus cerasus cv Oblačinska (PC), Prunus fruticosa (PF) and Prunus mahaleb (PM).
The experimental results indicate the high adaptability to critical and unfavourable conditions of the trial for the autochthonous sour cherry selection named PC_02_01/4 and the clones of Prunus fruticosa. Furthermore, the PC_02_01/4 clone provided the best performance in terms of productivity and production efficiency during the whole trial, at the same time ensuring more than satisfactory cherry quality levels together with a good control of plant vigour.
30 May 2023
Cherry growers have at their disposal dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks, suitable for high-density planting patterns, which can ensure an early entry into production, excellent production efficiency and good cherry quality.
27 Mar 2024
In years when leaf fall is irregular, it is not possible to have good disease control management, as waiting for certain levels of leaf fall leaves orchards uncovered and with permanent conditions that favour infection.
22 Apr 2025
Dole partners with Mañío to launch a state-of-the-art cherry packing facility in San Nicolás, Ñuble. A $12M+ investment aimed at boosting export capacity and entering new markets. The project will create up to 400 direct jobs in the region.
22 Apr 2025
A Romanian study analyzes the correlation between fruit quality and cracking in three sweet cherry cultivars: Special, Tentant, and Severin. The results highlight significant differences in weight, pH, color, °Brix, and cracking index, with implications for varietal selection.
