"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.
03 Jun 2024
This discovery will help researchers and breeders find the genes and markers associated with different traits much faster than before. This genetic map will help breeders chart a path to a tart cherry.
15 Sep 2026
A three-year survey of 222 orchards in O’Higgins, Chile, validates a rapid Leaf Disc Assay to identify sweet cherry cultivars with lower susceptibility to bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae, supporting faster and more sustainable breeding decisions today.
22 Sep 2026
Bacterial canker in sweet cherry, caused by Pseudomonas syringae, is becoming more frequent in Washington. Learn the key symptoms, susceptible cultivars, predisposing conditions and management practices that can help reduce infection, tree decline and orchard losses.
22 Sep 2026
In sweet cherry, flg22 and xyn11/EIX activate distinct PTI responses, reshaping gene expression, hormone signaling and pathogen resistance. The Lapins study shows how receptors and elicitors steer specific defenses against bacterial and fungal pathogens in sweet cherry.
