SWEET CHERRY (PRUNUS AVIUM L.) BREEDING PROGRAM IN SOUTHERN SPAIN

The breeding program carried out at Centro de Investigacion La Orden-Vadesequera began in 2006 with the aim of obtaining new varieties adapted to soil and climatic conditions of the Jerte Valley (Spain). The main objectives of this research are, firstly, to improve certain physicochemical properties of native varieties cultivated in the valley and, secondly, to diversify this product with modern varieties with new features such as both early and late ripening, and improved organoleptic quality. Different varieties from the Jerte Valley germplasm bank and breeding programs in the USA and Canada, with interesting traits such as earliness, high productive potential, self-fertility, tolerance to rain-cracking, large size, firmness of flesh and good organoleptic quality, were used as parentals. In relation to fruit-set, varying percentages were obtained depending on year and crossing, being the highest value obtained using cv ‘Hudson’ as a female parent. The influence of cold storage in seed germination was also studied, showing that a 60 days cold storage period followed by stratification improves embryo viability and plant survival in greenhouse, shortening germination time and increasing the efficiency of field establishment. In some crossings the number of established seedling is over 200 and, currently, there are 1,828 plants (seedlings) in field. The selection process based on fruit quality traits will begin in 2010.