Development of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) and apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars and production systems in California and Europe

There is an ongoing need for sweet cherries and apricots that are improved over those existing. Improved and regular production, fruit size, firmness, time of maturity, packing, shipping and organoleptic characteristics are some traits that can be improved within the varietal maturity window. Over the last several years, we have released several sweet cherry cultivars (4 patented in Europe and others pending in the world) with early fruit ripening characteristics that are productive, with large fruit size, over a range of geographic locations with commercial potential. A number of apricots have been patented in Europe and the world and commercialized. We have identified pollination and production strategies toward maximizing the potential of these selections. The development of these cultivars and production strategies in Europe and worldwide will be discussed and reviewed as will future developments.