Evaluation of introduced sweet cherry cultivars under arid conditions of Southern Russia

Abstract

Introduction. The expansion of commercial sweet cherry cultivation in the arid regions of southern Russia is constrained by the lack of cultivars that combine adaptability to local soil and climatic conditions, regular bearing, and high fruit quality.
Aim. To identify the most promising introduced sweet cherry cultivars in terms of productivity and fruit quality when grown on Gisela 6 rootstock in the arid zone of Stavropol Krai.
Materials and methods. The research was conducted from 2023 to 2025 on the cultivars Sweet Early, Ferrovia, Samba, Skeena, Kordia, and Regina in an orchard established in 2021 with a planting spacing of 3.5 × 1.5 m. Yield, alternate bearing index, fruit morphometric parameters, and biochemical composition were assessed. Statistical processing was performed using Statistica v23 with cluster analysis.
Results. All studied cultivars produced fruit annually; however, they exhibited significant differences in the level and stability of productivity.  In 2023, the maximum yield was recorded for Kordia and Skeena (2.10 t/ha each); in 2024, for Sweet Early (4.52 t/ha); and in 2025, for Skeena (0.68 t/ha). Average fruit weight ranged from 9.1 to 11.1 g, average flesh weight from 8.2 to 10.3 g, and total sugar content from 16.7% to 23.0%. The smallest inter-cultivar distance for the trait complex was found between Samba and Kordia.
Conclusion. Under the conditions of the arid zone of Stavropol Krai, the cultivars Skeena, Kordia, Regina, and Samba, which were distinguished by a complex of economically valuable traits, are of greatest practical interest. The obtained results can be used to improve the sweet cherry cultivar assortment for intensive plantings in the region.

To cite: Pismennaya E.V., Azarova M.Yu., Jamil A. Evaluation of introduced sweet cherry cultivars under arid conditions of Southern Russia. Agrarian Bulletin of the North Caucasus. 2026;16(2):34-42. https://doi.org/10.31279/2949-4796-2026-16-2-34-42