"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.
23 Feb 2024
ANA Chile, a leading Chilean company in global fruit variety management, launched this cherry on the Asian market. In 2023, the company sold 2.4 million plants to local producers, extending cultivation to over 2,200 hectares in Chile.
17 Oct 2024
Experiments were conducted on sweet cherry flower buds using differential thermal analysis (DTA), a technique that monitors the release of heat due to ice melting. Researchers observed the formation of ice within the bud structure, identifying barriers that prevent its spread.
18 Nov 2025
New Zealand’s cherry season is recovering quickly after October’s cold snap. The return of warm weather has boosted growth and pollination, bringing orchards back on schedule and giving growers renewed confidence ahead of the upcoming harvest period.
18 Nov 2025
Gibberellic acid (GA₃) is a key plant hormone to enhance cherry size. When applied during the veraison stage, it improves yield and fruit quality. Learn more about optimal doses, agronomic benefits, and guidance for Chilean cultivars prone to stress and cracking.
