"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.
22 Aug 2024
The aim of the research conducted by Portuguese and Spanish universities was to improve the quality and profitability of sweet cherry trees cv. Sweetheart by administering foliar biostimulants based on calcium and seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum).
08 Jan 2025
During the Cherry Expo, organized by the University of Talca and ANA Chile, innovative varieties were presented to meet the needs of demanding consumers and unique logistics, marked by the distance from the Asian market.
26 Nov 2025
The use of 730 nm NIR imaging combined with artificial intelligence enables accurate detection of Qfly oviposition marks on fresh cherries in Australia, improving quality control and phytosanitary safety throughout the fruit supply chain for international export markets.
26 Nov 2025
An Italian study tests kaolin, azadirachtin, pyriproxyfen, and cyromazine for sustainable control of Drosophila suzukii in cherry orchards. Promising results help reduce fruit damage while minimizing environmental impact from traditional pesticides.
