"The super millionaire fruits of the Alma Mater": this is how Corriere della Sera headlined years ago when announcing the results obtained by researchers from the Department of Agri-food Sciences and Technologies of the University of Bologna on the cherry tree genetic improvement project: the seven Sweet® sisters, the new varieties named after the children or loved ones of their inventors.
A team led by Stefano Lugli who, starting from old indigenous varieties, the famous Duroni di Vignola, bearers of valuable traits such as sweetness, texture and aroma, has been able to combine these virtues with others, such as beauty, size and productivity, taking them from varieties of American origin.
Below, the report by Bettina Riedel, variety manager of UNIBO, presented at the seminar on cherry variety innovation at Macfrut 2023. Precisely at Macfrut, ten years ago, the Sweet® varieties made their debut winning, among others, the Oscar prize for innovation.
31 Mar 2026
Chilean cherry imports in Argentina hit 1,273 tons, setting a new record. Amid Chilean oversupply and steady premium demand, the market absorbs higher volumes without price collapse, raising questions about future balance and competition in the sector.
22 May 2025
A Moldovan study reveals how nanotechnology-based foliar fertilization with microelements improves cherry tree yield and fruit quality in the Kordia cultivar grafted on Gisela 6 rootstock. Fruit size and premium grade cherries increased in 2023 and 2024 trials.
08 Jun 2026
Star Produce will bring Just Picked British Columbia cherries to North America, Asia and Europe from late June. Supported by spring crop recovery, the season is set to deliver larger sizes, premium quality, solid export demand and higher volumes than the past two years.
08 Jun 2026
Prolonged rains in Moldova are worsening the sweet cherry season: after spring frost hit Kordia, Regina and Ferrovia, fruit quality, yields and 2026 exports also face fresh pressure, while small growers deal with fruit cracking, lower marketability and weaker local prices.
