Rescue of old sweet cherry cultivars

• Published in: Acta horticulturae no. 976; pp. 227 - 230
• Main Authors: Paprstein, F, Sedlak, J, Holubec, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 01.01.2013
• Subjects: cherries; cultivars; cultural heritage; cultural landscape; disease resistance; extinction; fruit quality; genetic variation; global positioning systems; intensive farming; landraces; landscaping; national parks; organic production; plantations; Prunus avium; ripening; trees
• ISSN: 0567-7572
• DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.976.29

Continuing destruction of old plantations and alleys resulted in a serious threat of disappearance of fruit landraces representing the most valuable part of genetic diversity in the Czech Republic. Because of the possible extinction of old sweet cherry cultivars, a program for collecting and long term conservation of fruit landraces was started. Collecting expeditions were directed to areas not influenced by intensive agricultural production and recreational expansion (protected landscape areas, national parks and deserted army areas). Important accessions were localized by Global Positioning System (GPS) and registered in situ. The sweet cherry landraces found showed large variation in tree size, productivity, ripening time, fruit size, fruit quality and disease resistance. Descriptions of 27 important sweet cherry landraces are given in this paper. The information acquired on Czech sweet cherry landraces will broaden the utilization of cherry genetic resources for organic farming or landscaping. The cultivars described were grown historically in the territory of the Czech Republic and constitute a cultural heritage of the region and nation. They represent objects of cultural identity and are an integral part of the cultural landscape.