The 14 late and ultra-late cherry genotypes of the LFP program that include the promising varieties KIR VULCANO®, KIR LAMOUR® and KIR ROSSO®, They are already established in Chile and will show their first fruit this 2024/25 season.
One of the greatest attractions of the selections from the LFP program, of German origin, is that they have a harvest period between Regina and up to 2 weeks after Staccato. These varieties were selected in a location near Frankfurt where the annual rainfall is around 500-600 mm, part of which falls in summer, so another of their attributes observed at origin is the high tolerance to cracking. This Program consists of 11 selections and 3 varieties imported to Chile, most of which are self-fertile, which will soon show their first fruit in ANA evaluation centers and in the hands of companies.
Among the selections currently in Chile for evaluation by 9 companies, some stand out for the interesting background information provided by the breeders from the source, including:
Kirsche 2004 R 10 B 79.
Self-fertile selection. S3S4´ alleles. Early flowering and harvest between weeks 9 to 10. In Germany, it is harvested between early and mid-August.
Medium to tall, semi-erect tree with good branching and branches with no tendency to “peel” at the base. Special habit for forming it into a Spanish vase (Photo 1).
Kidney-heart shaped fruit without apex, mahogany to dark mahogany in color (somewhat marbled), shiny. Firm, crunchy and juicy pulp (85 Durofel ripe for consumption). Aromatic fruit, with pleasant acidity, spicy notes and a touch of almond (20 °Brix at maturity). Pedicel green, medium to long in length.
Caliber is distributed between 28 and 30 mm (11-13 gr).
Very good resistance to rain cracking. The fruit maintains its good flavour and firmness for a long time on the tree. Good post-harvest at origin is observed.
KIR VULCAN® Kirsche 2004 R 13 B 187.
Self-incompatible selection of group 3. S3S4 alleles. High to very high flowering. Late to very late season.
Medium-vigor tree, similar in habit to Kordia. Vigorous hanging branches are typical of this selection (Photo 2). Constant productivity. It is described as a selection with good (optimal) fruit load, but without overproduction.
Heart-shaped fruit, mahogany to dark mahogany in color, very shiny. Dark red pulp, crunchy, very juicy and firm (80-82 Durofel at consumption maturity). Refreshing and aromatic flavour (19-20 °Brix at harvest). Thick peduncle, medium to long in length. Good caliber, with a weight between 12 and 14 gr (28 to 32 mm).
Low to medium susceptibility to rain splitting in the pedicellar cavity, pistillate scar not sensitive. Good post-harvest at origin is observed.
Kir Lamor® Kirsch 2004 R 16 B 106.
Self-fertile selection. S3S4´ alleles. Abundant to very high flowering in mid-season. Kidney-shaped and flattened fruit, bright carmine red in colour. Fleshy, very juicy pulp, medium/high firmness (73-75 Durofel at consumption maturity). Excellent flavor, sweet and aromatic (19-20 °Brix at harvest). Thick peduncle of medium length. Good caliber, with a weight between 13 and 14 gr (30 mm).
Low to medium susceptibility to rain splitting (closed pistillate scar).
Very compact and slow-growing tree, spur type, with very good production of spurs, dark green foliage (Photo 3). Constant productivity. Described as a balanced to high load selection. According to its growth habit, it would be better suited to be managed in UFO or Spanish cup. It would be harvested in weeks 7 to 9 in Chile; in Germany at the end of July / mid-August.
Kir Rosso® Kirsch 2004 R 10 B 64.
Self-fertile variety. S3S4´ alleles. Abundant to very high flowering, in early to medium season. Early in its production start, with good to high yield, with high-density and well-distributed fruits. Oblong-heart-shaped fruit without apex, mahogany red to mahogany color, shiny (Photo 4). Noticeable pistil scar, but closed. Very firm pulp (85-88 Durofel at consumption maturity). Aromatic fruit, with spicy notes when ripe and somewhat citrusy in the first harvest (18 °Brix at maturity). Thick pedicel, medium to long in length. Caliber is distributed between 27 and 30 mmTheoretical harvest in weeks 9 to 10 in Chile; in Germany, between early and mid-August.
Low susceptibility to rain splitting. Good post-harvest at origin is observed.
Commercial Stage
These varieties/selections will be developed in Chile under a closed model. Only the companies or producers that become part of this development will have access to plant and market the LFP varieties. This group will be made up of approximately 20 companies. The commercial model considers the payment of a single fee access to the Program, a royalty per plant and a royalty based on fruit production.
The licensing process in Chile is starting in November 2022 and so far there are 9 companies that are already part of this development.
The only nurseries licensed by ANA Chile® for the propagation of these varieties are Univiveros (www.univiveros.cl), El Tambo Nurseries (www.viveroseltambo.cl), Los Olmos Nursery (www.grupolosolmos.cl) and Buenos Aires Nursery of Angol (www.buenosairesdeangol.cl).
More information: [email protected]) either [email protected].
