Cultivars and rootstocks in the cherry producing countries

Abstract

Numerous sweet and sour (tart) cherry cultivars and rootstocks were released over past decades around the world, but there are no reliable data, how many of them are currently in production. To collect data on usage of rootstocks and cultivars in global production, trends of the production and orchard systems, a questionnaire was sent to Cooperation of Science and Technology (COST) partners and the representatives of the most important cherry producing countries. In sweet cherry production there is a tendency of planting cultivars with large fruit size and medium ripening time. The countries having mild conditions prefer dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks (GiSelA 6, GiSelA 5, GiSelA 3) under irrigated conditions, while the usage of semi-vigorous or standard vigor rootstocks (MaxMa 14, Weiroot 158, P. mahaleb and P. avium seedlings) is typical in countries located in southwestern part of Europe with hot and dry conditions without irrigation. Rate of seedling usage is high, especially in eastern Europe. The cherry producing countries located outside of Europe prefer the vegetative propagated medium vigorous rootstocks. Interestingly, GiSelA series can be found all over the world; the usage of this series seemingly does not depend on the climate conditions. Sour cherry is a fruit species especially predominant in eastern Europe. German, Hungarian, Serbian, and Soviet cultivars grafted on vigorous rootstocks dominate in the production. Beside the orchards for mechanical harvest, the rate of intensive orchards for hand picking is increasing.