CLONAL SELECTION OF 'KUTAHYA' SOUR CHERRY

As for many other temperate fruit species, Turkey is the center of origin for sour cherry. ‘Kütahya’ sour cherry is a well known local variety, with very high fruit quality and attractiveness. ‘Kütahya’ has been grown for centuries in nearly all parts of Turkey. In earlier studies, many clones of ‘Kütahya’ were evaluated, with 22 selected for the National Selection Program and adaptation trials.
From 1992 to 1999, phonological and pomological characteristics of ‘Kütahya’ sour cherry clones were studied to identify the best from among the 22 candidates that were selected in the second step of the National Selection program. This study was established by planting 7 trees of each clone on P. avium for evaluation of 12 characteristics, and 8 parameters were taken into account as the selection criteria. These included yield, flesh/pit ratio, juice ratio, juice color, taste, soluble solids/acid ratio, fruit size and attractiveness. The top-ranked clones were selection numbers 1353, 1408 and 1350, which are suggested as promising types of ‘Kütahya’ sour cherry.