"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 May 2024
Fungicides like Serenade Aso produce a series of natural compounds with specific activities on pathogens and plant defense. Lipopeptides and antibacterial compounds typical of the strain break down cell walls of fungi and bacteria, causing death and preventing contamination.
05 Jun 2024
Researchers from Prosser (Washington) are inserting electrical sensors into the soil, burying a root camera and uprooting entire cherry trees to study how and when nutrients move through them in order to apply fertilisers at the right time.
02 Jun 2026
Peruvian cherries are emerging as a premium export opportunity for China and Asia, supported by early harvests, Chancay logistics and new production areas such as Arequipa, Junín, Cusco and Áncash, strengthening Peru’s agricultural export strategy and trade positioning.
01 Jun 2026
Lizard skin in cherries affects fruit appearance during cold storage and export transit. The Chilean study compares varieties, ripening stages and postharvest behavior, identifying the cultivars most exposed to damage, the most tolerant ones and key risks for local exports.
