Analysis of pomological traits in new promising sweet cherry genotypes

Abstract

Sweet cherry breeding programs are interested in developing new cultivars that are very early or very late in ripening, high yielding, with excellent fruit size and quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate new, promising, sweet cherry genotypes (G-1 and G-2) for ripening time, fruit morphology and fruit chemical content, and compare it with the standard sweet cherry cultivars (Bigarreau Jaboulay, B. H. Burlat, Seneca, Hedelfiger Riesenkirsche, Germersdorfer Grosse Kirsche, Emperor Francis and Bing). Experiment was done during four consecutive years (2006-2009) in Grocka, near Belgrade. The earliest fruit ripening was recorded in G-2 (22nd April) while the latest in `Bing` (2nd June). Fruit weight varied from 5.83 g (G-2) up to 8.93 g (G-1). Soluble solid content and total sugar content were the lowest in genotype G-2 (10.48%; 8.45%, respectively) but the highest in Emperor Francis (18.28%; 15.98%, respectively). No matter the fact that some standard cultivars showed better results for some traits, genotypes G-1 and G-2 are considered very promising. So, genotype G-1 could be intended for table consumption since it ripens 2-3 days after cv. B. H. Burlat, but have much higher fruit weight. Also, genotype G-2, the earliest in this trial, showed satisfactory fruit weight for this ripening time, which makes it very interesting for fresh market production.