"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.
29 Oct 2025
Mendoza has imported 25,000 certified cherry rootstocks from Chile for the first time. This virus-free plant material will improve fruit quality, boost long-term yields, and attract investments to expand cherry orchards across the Argentine region.
25 Nov 2025
In 2025, the CTIFL research center in La Tapy (France) evaluated 20 cherry varieties, focusing on fruit size, productivity, firmness, and resistance to cracking. Researcher Aliénor Royer-Lanoote presented key data to guide cherry orchard planning across European growing regions.
28 Sep 2026
In Chile, attention is growing around contractual risks in the cherry industry. Lawyer Álvaro Jofré examines advances, guarantees, due diligence, penalties and foreign investment, outlining safeguards that can reduce disputes, financial losses and legal exposure abroad.
28 Sep 2026
The Corette® series introduces low-vigor cherry rootstocks for high-density orchards. Trials in Spain, Italy and across Europe are assessing yield, adaptation to calcareous soils, protected cultivation, lower winter chilling requirements and mechanization strategies.
