Recent Achievements in Cherries Breeding in Some Balkan Countries

Abstract

Balkan zone is located in the extended area limits of the geographic genetic center for cherries which grows wild or weedly generating high genetic diversity. For this reason cherries are ones of the main traditional fruit growing species all over the Balkan countries. On domestic market of sweet and sour cherry is mostly used in food processing industry (syrups, juices, preserves, compotes, marmalades, jams, liqueur, brandies, etc.). The cultivars with dark red flesh are often used to extract colorants. In the past, cherries have been propagated to a large extend by seeds or suckers, resulting a wide range of variability. Subsequently, by selection and clonally propagation of valuable individuals within seedling population from different growing areas, many local cultivars were framed. Additionally, as a result of breeding programs started more than 60 years ago, 37 sweet cherry and 19 sour cherry cultivars in Romania, 15 sweet and 1 sour cherry in Bulgaria, 3 sweet cherry and 3 sour cherry in Serbia were released. A synthesized overview of these breeding programs, which are the most active in the area, and short description of pomological characteristics of the recently released cultivars are presented.