Morphological and biological characteristics of sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) and their importance for variety examination on difference, similarity and stability (DSS)

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this research is to analyze the results for biological and morphological characteristics of 10 sweet cherries genotypes and their importance during the cultivars examination for distinctness, uniformity and stability as the main criteria for recognizing a cultivar. Methods. Test methods for distinctness, uniformity and stability, Prunus avium L., document RTG/01/3 “General introduction on testing of distinctness, uniformity and stability and writing descriptions” and common method for cultivar testing of fruit, berry and nut crops. Results. Long-term studies of morphological and biological characteristics for sweet cherries allowed to select 10 cultivars among the genotypes obtained in the Nikita Botanical Gardens and to include them in Register of cultivars approved for use in the South of Russia and State Register of protected breeding achievements. Conclusions. The analysis of the results of long-term researches for morphological and biological characteristics allowed to conclude that each of the 10 cultivars clearly differs from other well-known varieties and meets the requirements of uniformity and stability.