Performance in Denmark of 16 European Varieties ofSweet Cherry

Abstract

Fruit quality and productivity of 16 European sweet cherry cultivars ( Prunus avium) were evaluated during the years 1995-1999 in Denmark. High resistance to fruit cracking and large fruits are the most important quality characteristics under the Danish climatic conditions. In order of ripening the following selections are of greatest interest: ‘ Nabigos’ is of interest for precocity, productivity and large fruits for the early season. A high cracking index reduces its value in rainy regions. ‘ Gardel’ has almost the same qualities, but ripens one week later. ‘ Giorgia’ is also a very productive midseason cultivar, and the fruit is firmer and has a lower tendency toward cracking. ‘ Techlovan’ had very large and very firm fruits but the trees were not productive. The late ripening ‘ Gégé’ is of interest for the lowest cracking index in this series of cultivars and for its very late flowering as a pollinator for late flowering, compatible cultivars.