"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.
07 Mar 2024
According to the NIAB (UK) research centre, future research should focus on complementary control strategies in integrated pest management and control automation, while creating new skills and techniques in the industry.
07 Jun 2024
15 industry specialists will meet on 18 June at the Sun Monticello event centre for the second version of the largest technical event in the cherry industry. The event will offer three interesting discussion forums and three keynote lectures.
13 Nov 2026
Rain and hail in Chile have damaged crops, while a truckers’ strike in San Antonio threatens shipments. Cherry output could reach about 115 million boxes, below the 140 million estimate. Weather and logistics are clouding the 2026-2027 season and its export outlook.
13 Nov 2026
Cherry leaf roll virus affects sweet, sour and black cherry trees. It is regulated in Canada, where symptoms may appear about five years after infection. The article outlines how it spreads and measures to prevent its introduction and contain the virus in orchards.
