Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus L.)

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) variety 'English Morello' fruits were stored for up to 20 days at 2°C in air or controlled atmosphere (CA) consisting of 25% CO₂+10% O₂, 15% CO₂+10% O₂, or 5% CO₂+10% O₂. The effects were compared on decay, juice optical density, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids content and firmness. CA treatment has a great potential for sour cherry storage in maintaining quality and in extending the length of the storage period. The study has indicated that the decay of sour cherry can be greatly reduced by 25% CO₂. High CO₂ concentration gave the best retention of red colour and titratable acidity throughout the storage period. Fruit juice optical density and firmness increased with storage time. Fruits stored in 25% CO₂+10% O₂ had higher soluble solids content compared with fruits stored in air.     

Physiological disorders,bitter rot and other fungal decay of ‘Aroma’ apple fruit stored in controlled atmosphere

Effects of controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions on physiological disorders and fungal fruit decay on apple ‘Aroma’ were investigated. Fruit from three growing seasons were stored at 1% or 2% O₂ (both at 2% CO₂) at either 1°C or 3°C in small research units; controls were kept in the same ventilated rooms at the two temperatures (ambient air). The fruit were removed from storage after four or six months and assessed for fruit decay immediately afterwards and after two weeks at 20°C. Fruit quality parameters were recorded at the end of storage. On a three-year average, fruit stored in CA was less ripe at the end of storage. After both four and six months storage, CA reduced total decay (physiological disorders and fungal decay) by on average 70% and 45%, respectively, compared to storage in ambient air. Senescent breakdown was lower after CA storage for four months, but not after six months and not after simulated shelf life. Soft scald was lower when stored in CA both after cold storage at 1°C and simulated shelf life. After storage at 3°C there was lower incidence of soft scald when stored in CA after four months, but not after six months. For fungal fruit decay in general, there was no effect of low oxygen, however, 2% O₂ gave slightly less bitter rot (Colletotrichum acutatum) than 1% O₂ and significantly less than ambient air after simulated shelf life. Averaged over all oxygen levels, 1°C gave significantly less bitter rot than 3°C. It may be concluded that use of CA for storage of ‘Aroma’ is a good way of reducing development of physiological disorders. However, development of bitter rot seemed to be more influenced by temperature and storage time than by low O₂.     

我国大樱桃深加工开发利用研究

大樱桃是深受人们喜爱的水果,但货架期较短,对其进行深加工显得尤为重要。我国大樱桃深加工产品主要有罐头、果脯、果酱、果汁、果酒、果醋等,这些产品中食品添加剂使用较为普遍。为了延长大樱桃产业链、提高产品附加值、促进大樱桃产业提质增效,整理归纳了近年来大樱桃深加工相关技术的研究文献,从果肉、果核和树叶3个方面综述了深加工开发利用研究进展,果肉的深加工主要是制作罐头、果酱、果冻、果汁及复合饮料、果脯、果酒、果醋和色素等,果核的深加工主要是提取大樱桃仁油、黄酮、多糖、蛋白及抗氧化多肽,树叶的深加工主要是提取黄酮和多糖;并针对樱桃深加工中存在的问题提出了今后的主要研究方向。     

Effect of saline irrigation on the biomass yield,and the protein,nitrogen, phosphorus,and potassium composition of alfalfa in a pot experiment

During 1994–1995, field experiments were conducted in six apple orchards located in the southwest of Finland (the mainland and the Åland Islands). The cultivars were ‘Melba’, ‘Raike’, ‘Red Atlas’, ‘Lobo’, ‘Aroma’, and ‘Åkero’. Fruit samples were picked at about one week before commercial maturity and stored for three to six months at 2 to 4°C and 85–95% relative humidity. During storage the percentage of physiological disorders was visually recorded. Fruit nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca), firmness, diameter, juice titratable acidity (TA), and soluble solids concentrations (SSC) were determined at harvest. Nitrogen and Ca in the soil and leaves collected during fruit development were determined. The ranges in fruit N were 296–624 and Ca 27–68 mg kg^‐1 fresh weight, and in the leaves N 15–23 and Ca 9–19 g kg^‐1 dry matter. The N/Ca ratio was 5 and 16 and 0.9 and 2.3 in fruit and leaves, respectively. There was more variation between years in N and Ca contents of leaves than that of fruit. Other fruit quality characteristics varied between seasons and cultivars. Leaf N correlated positively with fruit diameter and negatively with fruit dry matter. The incidence of physiological disorders on apples after three month storage was 2 to 13% and after six months 10 to 95%. Fruit with Ca content below 45 mg kg^‐1 fresh weight were susceptible to bitter pit ('Aroma’ and ‘Åkero') and Jonathan spot ('Red Atlas'). The cultivar ‘Melba’ was susceptible to bruising damages and ‘Raike’ and ‘Red Atlas’ were affected more with internal breakdown and core browning.     

EFFECT OF PREHARVEST SPRAYS OF CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SUCROSE ON CRACKING AND QUALITY OF ‘BURLAT’ SWEET CHERRY FRUIT

The aim of the study was to examine impact of preharvest sprays of calcium (Ca) and sucrose on splitting and quality of ‘Burlat’ sweet cherry fruit. The study was carried out during 2009–2010 in Poland and Turkey, on mature trees planted at a moderate density on coarse- and medium-textured soils. Sweet cherries were sprayed with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and/or sucrose at a rate of 5 kg of each material per ha, using ca. 1000 L of water. In Poland, sprays of CaCl₂ and/or sucrose were applied 8–14 h before each rain, starting 21 d before harvest, whereas in Turkey the spray treatments were made schematically: 7, 14 and 21 d before harvest. Sprays of water were treated as the control. The results showed that preharvest sprays of CaCl₂ and/or sucrose did not affect yield, mean fruit weight, and fruit acidity. Sprays of CaCl₂ increased fruit Ca status, and simultaneously reduced fruit cracking in an orchard or laboratory test. In the trial performed in Turkey, part of fruit sprayed with CaCl₂ (<5%) had spray deposit on the peel. Sucrose sprays did not affect fruit cracking. In one year of the study in Turkey, sucrose sprays increased soluble solids concentration of fruit; however, part of fruit treated with sucrose (<2%) had spray deposit on the skin.     

Relationships between leaf and fruit minerals and fruit quality attributes of apples grown under northern conditions

Field experiments were conducted during 1994–1995 in seven apple (Malus spp.) orchards located in the southwest of Finland (the mainland and the Åland Islands). The cultivars were ‘Transparente Blanche’, ‘Samo’, ‘Melba’, ‘Raike’, ‘Red Atlas’, ‘Åkerö’, ‘Aroma’, and ‘Lobo’. Leaf samples from branches bearing fruits (BF) and not‐bearing fruits (BNF) were collected two times during the growing seasons. Fruit samples were picked about one week before commercial maturity. Macronutrient concentrations in fruits and leaves, fruit diameter and juice pH, titratable acidity (TA) and soluble solids concentrations (SSC) were determined. Leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were higher, but calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were lower in BNF. Branch types (BF and BNF) were closely related in leaf N, P, and Ca, but not in leaf K and Mg at the first sampling time. Fruit N, P, K, and Mg were closely related to each other but not to fruit Ca. Mean fruit N and Ca and leaf P and Mg were low compared with the recommended levels. Relationships between fruit and leaf nutrient concentrations were found only in P and Mg. Fruit diameter increased and juice SSC decreased with increasing leaf N concentration. Fruit P declined with increasing fruit diameter and juice TA increased and SSC/TA decreased with increasing leaf P and Ca concentrations.     

Influence of humic acid and salicylic acid on yield,fruit quality,and leaf mineral elements of strawberry (Fragaria × Ananassa duch.) cv. Camarosa

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of foliarly-applied Humic Acid (HA) and Salicylic Acid (SA) on strawberry (Fragaria × Ananassa cv. Camarosa). On average, HA applications, regardless of concentration, increased overall yield, Soluble Solids Concentrations (SSC), Titratable Acidity (TA), vitamin C, red tone (a*), leaf potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) while had no effect on pH and fruit luminosity (L*). In contrast, fruit from the untreated control tended to have higher Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and SSC: TA ratio than HA-treated plants. Application of SA significantly increased yield, vitamin C, SSC, SSC: TA ratio, TAC, a*, leaf P and Ca while had no effect on TA, fruit size, L* and pH. In general, application of either HA at 25 mg L¹ or SA at 2 mM resulted in better strawberry performance than did other rates of these compounds.     

Chemical constituents and antioxidant activity of sweet cherry at different ripening stages

The development and ripening process of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L. cv. 4-70) on the tree was evaluated. For this purpose, 14 different stages were selected in accordance with homogeneous size and color. Some parameters related to fruit quality, such as color, texture, sugars, organic acids, total antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid were analyzed. The results revealed that in sweet cherry, the changes in skin color, glucose and fructose accumulation, and softening process are initiated at early developmental stages, coinciding with the fast increase in fruit size. Also, the decrease in color parameter a was correlated with the greatest accumulation of total anthocyanins. Ascorbic acid, total antioxidant activity (TAA), and total phenolic compounds decreased during the early stages of sweet cherry development but exponentially increased from stage 8, which coincided with the anthocyanin accumulation and fruit darkening. TAA showed positive correlations (r(2) = 0.99) with both ascorbic acid and total phenolic compounds and also with the anthocyanin concentration from stage 8. Taking into account the reduced shelf life of sweet cherry and to ensure that these fruits reach consumers with the maximum organoleptic, nutritional, and functional properties, it is advisable to harvest sweet cherries at stage 12 of ripening.     

Factors affecting taste scores of early season seedless table grape cv. Mystery and Prime.

Table grapes of cv. Mystery and Prime were harvested from 10 farms in two growing areas of Israel over two seasons. The grapes were separated on the basis of sucrose solutions from 12 to 18%; soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), and pH were determined; and taste tests were conducted. SSC gave the best correlation with taste tests, and multiple regression of SSC, TA, and pH improved the correlation. There were both seasonal and regional differences in the measured maturity parameters. Lower TA and higher pH were found in grapes from the Jordan Valley. Volatiles were predominantly C(6) compounds hexanal and 2-hexanal, contributing a fresh aroma to the grapes. It is concluded that Mystery and Prime grapes have good organoleptic quality if harvested at SSC levels of >14%.     

Non-abscised aborted sweet cherry fruits are vulnerable to fruit decaying fungi and may be sources of infection for healthy fruits

During three growing seasons (1999–2001), disease incidence of non-abscised aborted and normally developing (sound) sweet cherry fruits were investigated in a research orchard at Ullensvang, western Norway. To reveal possible fungal infections, aborted and sound fruits of two cultivars (cv. Van for three years and cv. Lapins for two years) were harvested over four to seven weeks in an experimental orchard during the green fruit phase and incubated at 20°C in moisture saturated air for 7 days. The most frequently observed fungal pathogens were Monilinia laxa, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Botrytis cinerea. The mean of all observations (±standard deviation) over three years, showed that aborted and sound fruits had a disease incidence of 51.9% (±31.8) and 5.2% (±9.7), respectively, after seven days incubation. In 24 of 25 trials aborted fruits had significantly higher disease incidence than sound fruits after incubation. In one season, when fruits were collected from two commercial orchards, aborted fruits had much higher disease incidence than sound fruits (a mean of 6.5 and 4.5 times higher incidence for the two orchards, respectively). Time of fruit abortion varied with the years (two years observation) and the two cultivars, but the major abortion took place between the fourth and eighth week after anthesis. A higher disease incidence and more rapid disease development in non-abscised aborted fruits indicate that they are more vulnerable to fungal colonisation than sound fruits and may thus be potential incoulum sources for neighbouring, healthy fruits.     

Identification of sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) and analysis of their genetic relationships by chloroplast sequence-characterised amplified regions (cpSCAR)

Ten cpSCAR markers that show polymorphism in Prunus avium were used to fingerprint sweet cherry cultivars. The purpose of the study was also to contribute to identification and to help determine their genetic interrelationships. Samples of ‘0900 Ziraat’, a superior Turkish variety, which were collected in several locations all over Turkey, had identical cpSCAR patterns, and they resembled a common European haplotype, A. ‘Sweetheart’, ‘Summit’ and ‘Canada Giant’ and their haplotype are intermediate between the previously described haplotypes A and B, which were originally found in Central and Eastern European sweet and wild cherries, and those from Northern Turkey, respectively. The data therefore suggests a local maternal descent (within Europe and Asia Minor) of the cultivars analysed. Our results show that chloroplast DNA analysis is a straightforward way to classify cherry cultivars. We compare our results to others previously reported for sweet cherry cultivars, and conclude that cpSCAR diversity data could be considered for phylogenetic studies in this group.     

RESPONSE OF ‘BURLAT’ SWEET CHERRY TREES TO POSTHARVEST SPRAYS OF NITROGEN,BORON AND ZINC

The aim of the study was to examine effects of postharvest sprays of nitrogen (N), boron (B), and zinc (Zn) on reproductive response of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees, fruit quality and plant nutrition. The experiment was conducted during 2007–2009 in central Poland on mature ‘Burlat’ sweet cherry trees/F12, grown on a coarse-textured soil with low level of organic matter, and optimal soil reaction. Soil status of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), Zn and copper (Cu) was optimal, whereas B – low. Sweet cherry trees were sprayed with boric acid-B, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-Zn, and urea-N at 30–40 d prior to initiation of leaf fall according to following schema: i) spray of N at a rate of 23 kg ha^?1; ii) spray of B and Zn at a dose of 1.1 kg ha^?1 and 0.5 kg ha^?1, respectively; and iii) spray of N, B and Zn at the same rates as in the above spray combinations. The trees sprayed with water served as the control. The results showed that fall spray treatments had no influence on cold damage of flower buds, plant N status and soluble solids concentration in fruit. Postharvest spray of N and combined spray of N, B and Zn injured leaves in the fall but did not cause defoliation. Sprays of B and Zn with or without N increased status of Zn and B in fall leaves, and B in flowers and midsummer leaves. Those sprays also improved fruit set and yield. In one out of two years of the study, fall sprays of N with or without B and Zn decreased mean fruit weight. The above results indicate that only leaf-applied B in the fall improved reproductive response of sweet cherry trees. It is concluded that under conditions of B shortage in a soil and/or plant tissues, postharvest B sprays can be recommended in sweet cherry orchards to improve reproductive growth of the trees.     

甜樱桃采后热空气处理抑制青霉病的工艺优化

为确定热空气处理控制采后甜樱桃果实青霉病的最优条件,采用响应曲面法研究了不同温度-时间的热空气处理对甜樱桃采后青霉病的抑菌效果和果实品质的影响。甜樱桃果实采后用不同温度热空气(40~48℃)和不同处理时间(60~180 min)处理后,接种青霉菌在20℃、相对湿度90%~95%的条件下贮藏5 d,贮藏结束后测定果实的病斑直径、硬度、抗坏血酸含量和固酸比,建立了4个响应值的二次多项数学模型,分析了拟合程度,并利用模型的响应面对甜樱桃的抗病性和果实品质进行了探讨。结果表明,热空气处理控制采后甜樱桃果实青霉病的较优条件为热处理温度为44℃、热处理时间为114 min,该条件显著(P0.05)抑制了甜樱桃采后青霉病的扩展,与对照组相比,热处理较好的保持了甜樱桃果实品质,显著(P0.05)减缓了硬度、抗坏血酸含量和固酸比的下降,为热空气处理在甜樱桃贮藏保鲜中的应用提供理论依据。     

Impact of Postharvest Sprays of Nitrogen,Boron and Zinc on Nutrition,Reproductive Response and Fruit Quality of ‘Schattenmorelle’ Tart Cherries

The aim of the study was to examine effects of fall sprays of nitrogen (N), boron (B) and zinc (Zn) on nutrition, reproductive response, and fruit quality of tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.). The experiment was conducted during 2008–2010 in Poland on mature ‘Schattenmorelle’ sour cherry trees, planted at a spacing of 4.0 × 1.5 m on a coarse-textured soil with low level of organic matter, and adequate reaction and availabilities of macro- and micronutrients. Tart cherries were sprayed with boric acid-B, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-Zn, and urea-N at 40–50 d prior to initiation of leaf fall according to following schema: (i) spray of N at a rate of 23 kg ha^?1; (ii) spray of B and Zn at doses of 1.1 kg ha^?1 and 0.5 kg ha^?1, respectively; and (iii) spray of N, B, and Zn at the same rates as in the above spray combinations. The trees sprayed with water were served as the control. The results showed that postharvest spray treatments had no effect on defoliation, cold damage of flower buds, fruit set, yielding, plant N status, mean fruit weight, and soluble solids concentration in fruit. Postharvest sprays of B and Zn with or without N enhanced status of Zn and B in fall leaves, and B in flowers but had no impact on levels of the above micronutrients in summer leaves. Leaf-absorbed B was withdrawn in the fall, whereas Zn was immobile. It is concluded that postharvest B sprays can be recommended to increase B status in flowers of tart cherry, whereas fall sprays of urea-N and Zn are not able to improve plant nutrition of those nutrients the following season.     

双热源半自动控温甜樱桃促成栽培系统设计与试验

为解决甜樱桃促成栽培产量和质量不稳定的问题,该研究根据甜樱桃促成栽培特点,研制了一种双热源半自动控温甜樱桃促成栽培系统。该系统以煤、柴为燃料的地炕式加热炉为补充加热方式,结合太阳能调控温度。通过与传统大棚比较,分析了该系统对甜樱桃栽培产量及经济效益的影响。结果表明:连续2 a应用甜樱桃促成栽培系统的大棚产量稳定在11 550 kg/hm2以上,优质果率超过80%,年经济效益比普通大棚高37%(2012年)和36%(2013年)。该系统采用半自动测控促成栽培环境,使环境因子的检测和报警实现自动化,明显降低了劳动强度,在甜樱桃促成栽培中推广应用,可取得显著经济效益。     

Multivariate analysis of Prunus subgen. Cerasus germplasm in Iran using morphological variables

Knowledge of relationships among the cultivated and wild species of Cerasus, a subgenus of Prunus L., is important for recognizing gene pools, identifying pitfalls in germplasm collections and developing effective conservation and management strategies. In this study, morphological characterization of wild Cerasus subgenus species naturally growing in Iran, including P. avium L. (mazzard), P. mahaleb L., P. brachypetala Boiss., P. incana Pall., P. yazdiana Mozaff., P. microcarpa Boiss. subsp. microcarpa, P. microcarpa Boiss. subsp. diffusa and P. pseudoprostrata Pojark. and three commercial species, sweet cherry (P. avium L.), sour cherry (P. cerasus L.) and duke cherry (P. × gondouinii Rehd.) was investigated. Twenty-nine variables were recorded in 95 accessions of these species to detect similarities among them. All studied characteristics were showing a high degree of variability, but it was highly pronounced for plant height, leaf characters especially for dimensions and pubescence as well as for petiole and peduncle length. The majority of significant correlation coefficients were found in the characteristics representing plant size and growth habit with leaf size. Principal component analysis was performed for phenotypical diversity determination and grouping of species. Characters with high discriminating values were those related to growth habit, height, compactness, trunk diameter, leaf dimensions, petiole length, leaf tip and serration, flower color, peduncle length, fruit shape and stone shape. Based on the cluster analysis, species included in two main clusters, first those with large structure (sweet, sour and duke cherries, mazzard and mahaleb), second the other species with small structure which might be potentially suitable for rootstock breeding programs. Scatter plot using two first factors also confirmed the grouping by cluster analysis. The conservation of the highly diverse native populations of Iranian wild Cerasus species is recommended.     

Effect of Preharvest Sprays of Calcium on Cracking and ‘Schattenmorelle’ Sour Cherry Fruit Quality Harvested Mechanically

The aim of the study was to examine effect of preharvest sprays of calcium (Ca) in the form of Ca-chloride (CaCl₂), Ca-nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂], or a mixture of Ca-formate, Ca-acetate, CaCl₂, and Ca(NO₃)₂ on cracking and quality of ‘Schattenmorelle’ sour cherry fruit harvested mechanically. The experiment was conducted in 2008–2009 at a commercial orchard in central Poland. Mature trees grew on a coarse-textured soil poor in organic matter, at a spacing of 4.0 × 1.5 m. The spray treatments of Ca were performed at 7-day intervals, starting 28 days before harvest, at the rates of 5.0–5.6 kg Ca ha^?1 per season. The trees sprayed with water were treated as the control. Fruit were harvested mechanically when peduncle-fruit detachment force dropped below 3 N. The results showed that preharvest Ca sprays caused no leaf damage. This measure did not affect yield, mean fruit weight, soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity of fruit, and weight loss of fruit during 24 h after harvest. Fruit sprayed with Ca had improved status of this nutrient, and were less liable to juicy leakage from the stem scar, rain-induced cracking, and preharvest decay caused by Glomerella cingulata. The above effects of Ca sprays did not depend on the tested material. It was concluded that preharvest sprays of Ca as CaCl₂ and/or Ca(NO₃)₂ should be recommended in ‘Schattenmorelle’ sour cherry orchards to reduce fruit losses resulting from rain-induced cracking, leakage of juice, and the incidence of cherry bitter rot.     

Critical Periods of Storage of the Greenhouse Gases in Polypropylene Syringe

It is convenient to store gas samples containing e.g. carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), in polypropylene syringes before chromatographic analysis. However, there is no study of the integrity of these samples or of what storage condition may be critical. To investigate we filled polypropylene syringes with two standard mixtures of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O, and stored them at ~2 °C and ~25 °C, and analyzed the contents using gas chromatography. Our results suggest that the storage of gases on the syringe at room temperature is not viable due the CO₂ storage integrity when in low concentration. However, the quantitative integrity of samples is maintained when the syringe is kept refrigerated up to 19 h, period limited by CO₂ and CH₄, taking into account the three gases CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O.     

壳聚糖-纳米氧化锌复合涂膜对甜樱桃采后生理和贮藏品质的影响

为研究壳聚糖-纳米氧化锌复合涂膜对甜樱桃贮藏期生理及品质的影响,以新鲜大连甜樱桃为材料,研究4℃条件下3种壳聚糖-纳米氧化锌复合涂膜处理(0.1%纳米氧化锌+0.2%壳聚糖、0.1%纳米氧化锌+0.5%壳聚糖、0.1%纳米氧化锌+0.8%壳聚糖)对甜樱桃的腐烂率、失重率、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、维生素C(Vc)含量、呼吸强度、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量变化的影响。结果表明,0.1%纳米氧化锌+0.8%壳聚糖复配的壳聚糖-纳米氧化锌涂膜处理对甜樱桃果实的保鲜效果优于壳聚糖单膜处理(1.0%壳聚糖)。壳聚糖-纳米氧化锌复合涂膜处理能够使可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、Vc含量维持在较高水平,降低果实的腐烂率、失重率,有效延缓呼吸强度、MDA含量的上升及CAT活性的下降,抑制POD和SOD活性。在维持甜樱桃贮藏品质和延缓衰老方面,以0.1%纳米氧化锌+0.8%壳聚糖复配的壳聚糖-纳米氧化锌复合膜处理的保鲜效果最好。本研究结果为改性壳聚糖涂膜在甜樱桃贮藏保鲜中的应用提供了理论依据。     

Morphological characterization of sweet and sour cherry cultivars in a germplasm bank at Portugal

Nine sweet cherry and eight sour cherry varieties located in a germplasm bank at Fundão, Portugal, were studied from the viewpoint of characterization. Most of them were autochthonous cultivars that have a high risk of extinction since at the present they are markedly minor varieties. Morphological characteristics were evaluated in different organs: crown and trunk of the trees, leaves, flowers and fruits, over a three consecutive years period. Statistical analyses were carried out in order to detect similarities between cultivars as well as the existence of synonymies. Qualitative characteristics of the fruits were scored in order to carry out the multivariate analysis. A dendrogram of the evaluated characters shows the marked differentiation between sour and sweet cherries and suggests the existing synonymies. Conservation of the autochthonous cultivars in the future is highly recommended.