The next edition of Macfrut (May 3-5, 2023) will host the Nursery and Varietal Innovation Salon, an occasion to assess the current situation on a global level. FreshPlaza has therefore decided to interview research experts on the different fruit species. Today, we are discussing cherries with Stefano Lugli, scientific coordinator of the new event.
The first results on the ongoing biotech research being carried out in the US and the UK are causing quite a stir. Various start ups supported by multinationals and some international research institutes are investing a lot on cherry breeding thanks to assisted evolution technologies.
FreshPlaza (FP): Where are we today?
Stefano Lugli (SL): Thanks to the new genetic improvement technologies based on genome editing and cisgenesis, seedless and stoneless cherry varieties will be introduced in the near future. In addition, it will be possible to grow cracking-resistant varieties and plants resistant to diseases capable of adapting to climate change. Assisted evolution technologies will make it possible to obtain improved varieties, identical to the traditional ones yet at a lower cost than those obtained with usual breeding thanks to faster and more precise selection techniques.
FP: What about Europe?
SL: The situation is evolving. Until assisted evolution technologies are recognized by the European legislation, our traditionalist friends from Slow Food or Associazione Ciliegie d'Italia can rest easy and continue their losing battle to safeguard biodiversity. I prefer to safeguard those who create actual innovation.
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FP: What's new in Italy?
SL: During ICS 2022, Professor Quero Garcia illustrated how assisted selection methods are helping traditional genetic improvement a lot. Various molecular markers have been identified for important characters such as cherry grades, color, firmness and tolerance to cracking. These technical instruments have become essential for those working with genetic improvement, especially because most past and present objectives have only been reached in part.
FP: On what new varieties should producers focus?
SL: According to CPVO data, around 10 patents for cherry varieties are presented each year. We have reached 150 in Europe, so we can say varieties are not something we are missing. What we are missing is a preliminary independent assessment before new varieties are placed on the market. Genetic innovation is often presented as revolutionary, something that will solve all problems. But it is often not the case and producers are unfortunately the first to lose out as they are attracted by it.
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