Chile sets sights on own cherry varieties
December 22 , 2020
Chile is betting on launching its own cherry varieties in the future thanks to the work done by the INIA-BioFrutales Cherry Genetic Improvement Program.
Among the achievements, a Rainier-type selection known as “Selection 21” stands out. The cultivar could strengthen the early cherry production zones in Chile and would expand the export offerings in China.
The project was started in 2010 by INIA Rayentué in O’Higgins and the BioFrutales Organization (to which Fedefruta belongs) with the support of Corfo.
It currently has 16 advanced options for cherries, all with the potential to transform into the first varieties 100 percent developed in Chile.
Chile is getting closer to developing its own cherry varieties
The INIA-Biofrutales Cherry Genetic Improvement Program is getting closer and closer to obtaining the first cherry varieties that are 100% developed in Chile. The results of the investigation, which began in 2010, were presented to the Minister of Agriculture Antonio Walker, and to the regional authorities of CORFO, Agriculture, and the Economy.
At the moment, the program has 16 candidate selections to become new varieties. The most outstanding variety so far is Selection 21, a bicolor variety of the Rainier typology, but firmer, with a good postharvest and less cold requirement, which would allow producing it in areas further north, such as Valparaiso and Coquimbo, and could strengthen the offer of this varietal group in the Chinese market.