Performance in Denmark of 20 Summerland Selections of Sweet Cherry

Abstract

Fruit characteristics and productivity of 20 Summerland cultivars were evaluated during the years 1994-1996 in Denmark. High resistance to fruit cracking and large fruits are the most important quality characteristics under the Danish conditions. In order of ripening the following selections seem to be of greatest interest: ‘Newstar’is unique for good fruit size and firm fruits in the earlier part of the season and it is self fertile. A weakness might be its cracking suceptibility. In almost the same season. ‘Celeste’, ‘Van’, ‘Sunburst’and 13S-21-7may be of interest for good firmness combined with high productivity. Each one having shortcomings and advantages. ‘Lapins’is an established cultivar in many regions for its late ripening and firm fruits. ‘Sweetheart’is of interest in being even later than ‘Lapins’ and may have slightly Digger fruits. In our test the selections ‘11W-20-42’, ‘13S-27-17’and ‘13S-43-48’were very promising in the very late season due to the same good qualities as ‘Sweetheart’ combined with good precosity and good productivity.