"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 May 2024
‘For the past four years we have been on the path to obtaining the PGI certification,’ says Andrea Braga, director of the Montecchia di Crosara cherry market, ‘we have achieved excellence through varietal and production choices best suited to our area'.
14 Jan 2026
Tart cherry juice is rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds that help reduce inflammation, improve metabolic health, and influence gene expression. Recent studies highlight its potential in preventing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
17 Jun 2026
In Murcia, a field study on ‘Sweetheart’ sweet cherry evaluates kaolinite and calcite against heat stress, drought and solar radiation. Foliar mineral sprays improve leaf reflectance, temperature response and nutritional balance in trees exposed to intense summer heat.
17 Jun 2026
Oregon State University’s Decoy technology aims to reduce insecticide use against spotted-wing drosophila, protecting cherries, blueberries and soft fruit with attract-and-kill systems, slow-release traps and integrated biological control for fruit growers on U.S. farms.
