"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.
08 Jul 2024
The campaign is now well underway and the production areas are trying to take advantage of the last moments of sales. Puglia is almost at the end of the season, Vignola is almost at the end, while the mountain and Piedmont area cherries are on the launching pad.
14 Apr 2026
A FAO study in Uzbekistan analyzes the life cycle of apple, cherry and grape orchards, showing a negative carbon balance but critical issues in water use and eutrophication. Drip irrigation and solar energy improve sustainability, productivity and environmental impact.
05 May 2026
In Fresno County, California, this week’s storm affected cherry and almond orchards, forcing growers to act quickly. Helicopters were used to dry cherry trees, while hail, wind and fungal disease risks are raising concern over crop quality and harvests this spring.
05 May 2026
World Fresh Exports is introducing the new Canadian Sansia and Safirah dark sweet cherry series to global markets, bred by AAFC in Summerland and designed to extend the season with premium size, flavour, firmness, consistency and strong shipping performance.
