ISHS Acta Horticulturae 667: IV International Cherry Symposium
SCREENING OF SWEET CHERRY CULTIVARS IN NORTHERN GERMANY |
| Author: | R. Stehr |
| Keywords: | Prunus avium, fruit size, fruit firmness, cracking resistance, fruit quality |
| Abstract:
Recent results from the sweet cherry cultivar selection work of the Fruit Research Station Jork are presented. Included are cultivars from Germany and other countries in Europe and North America, which are potentially promising for cherry production in Northern Germany. Northern Germany's market situation characteristically is one of close proximity to customers, who very often buy their cherries directly from the grower. All new cultivars are compared with a group of recommended standards, representing a ripening period of 5-6 weeks. Many of these recommended standards are from the former breeding program at Jork, which began in the 1950s and put special emphasis on cracking resistance and tree health, due to the humid climate of this area. New cultivars also must have high fruit quality, particularly fruit size and firmness. Very often, a compromise has been found between these goals. The main standard cultivars from the former Jork breeding program are 'Erika', 'Johanna', 'Valeska', 'Oktavia', 'Viola', 'Karina', and the latest ripening but most successful of all, 'Regina'. Standard and new cultivars are described for their ripening time, fruit and tree characteristics. In the early ripening period, 'Naprumi' from Dresden-Pillnitz and 'Merchant' from Great Britain have the potential to fill production gaps, as well as 'Namare' and 'Sunburst' in the mid-season, although improvements are still possible. In the later maturing season, 'Kordia' is very strong competition for 'Oktavia', 'Viola' and 'Karina', because of its very high fruit quality. However, cropping results are not always satisfactory with 'Kordia'. In the very late season after 'Regina', 'Hudson' and 'Sweetheart' are discussed. There are still some questions about tree health with 'Sweetheart', and about yields with 'Hudson', which perhaps can be improved by dwarfing rootstocks. | |
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