Split-free cherry varieties divided opinions at an Australian conference last week, according to the Weekly Times.
The Victorian Cherry Association conference’s keynote speaker, New Zealand grower Hugh Dendy, claimed to have developed two new varieties, which don’t split in wet weather or close to harvest.
He said a Canadian grower has developed an additional two split-free varieties.
However, Dendy admitted he was reluctant to commercialise his product, in fear of driving down market prices.
“As far as I know these are the only four varieties discovered and we're not sure whether to release them publicly or not,' Dendy said.
'Over decades, cherry growers have invested millions in machinery, technology, education and farm relocation to avoid splitting.”
Dendy asked conference delegates whether they supported trial plantings of the new varieties, with the majority of growers expressing concerns about significantly reduced profit margins and eliminating any existing market advantage.
“If we release these new varieties, these advantages will be lost and anyone with an orchard would be able to grow cherries,” Dendy said.
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