"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.
16 Nov 2023
Brux stated that Chile could reach 140 million crates by 2025/26. China, Chile's main market, absorbs 89% of the total harvest. US exports are also growing, with volumes rising from 1.4 (2020/21) to 3.6 million in 2022/23.
04 Sep 2023
Trees grafted onto the Maxma 14 rootstock induce lower vigour, productivity, and fruit weight. In contrast, trees grafted onto CAB 6P rootstock exhibited greater vigour, yield, and fruit weight, resulting in greater agricultural productivity.
19 Nov 2025
An innovative study explores the immune response of Lapins cherry to two MAMPs and the role of carotenoids in resisting Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea. New strategies for effective, sustainable protection and varietal resilience in orchards.
19 Nov 2025
Chile is taking major steps in applying the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to control Drosophila suzukii in cherry orchards, in collaboration with ISCAMEN and supported by IAEA. The project combines biotechnology, integrated pest management and sustainable production practices.
