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An Overview of Croatian Autochthonous

Varieties of Sweet Cherry

Article in Acta horticulturae February 2014

DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1020.57

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An Overview of Croatian Autochthonous Varieties of Sweet Cherry
A. Vokurkaa, K. Pra and I. Peji Z. Jurkovi and K. Dugali
Dept. for Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biometrics Agricultural Institute Osijek
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Osijek
Zagreb Croatia
Croatia

B. Duralija M. Brajan
Dept. for Pomology County Administration of
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Primorsko-goranska County
Zagreb Rijeka
Croatia Croatia

Keywords: Prunus avium L., genetic resources, IPGRI descriptors

Abstract
Production of sweet cherry in Croatia of both local autochthonous and world
varieties is mainly non-intensive, limited to small orchards and gardens. There are
just a few intensive producers of sweet cherry using contemporary production
principles. However, interest for sweet cherry production is increasing and new
producers are interested in growing autochthonous varieties. There are seven local
sweet cherry varieties known in Croatia. Their production is limited to certain geo-
graphic areas where they are traditionally produced and where they have premium
quality. These varieties are named according to toponyms of the region of their
production (village, mountain or island). There is little scientific data about these
varieties and it is unclear whether these varieties are really native, or they might have
been introduced more than one-hundred years ago, and then spread by local names
afterwards. This paper gives the description of autochthonous sweet cherry varieties
in Croatia according to IPGRI descriptors, estimates their production potential, and
sets up guidelines for further research of biodiversity in sweet cherries.

INTRODUCTION
The production of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) in Croatia has been limited to
small orchards and solitary trees for long time. That type of production did not have
economic significance and the principles of production were traditional. Plant material of
self-compatible varieties has been produced in nursery mother blocks, but until recently
few producers were interested in commercial sweet cherry production.
Sweet cherry is a preferred seasonal fruit, coming early in the summer when only
strawberries are important in market competition. In spite of the high prices sweet
cherries can command, the production in Croatia has remained rather low with a
production of 5,020 tons in 2005, 5,014 tons in 2006, and 7,976 tons in 2007 (FAOstat,
2009). Unlike sour cherries, statistical bulletins of the Republic of Croatia do not consider
sweet cherry as a separate agricultural commodity.
Croatia has several autochthonous varieties, which are produced in certain
geographical regions of Croatia, and these varieties are known by names according to
toponyms: village varieties (Tugarka and Gomilika), town varieties (Lovranska and
Stonska), mountain variety (Okika) or island variety (Creska) where their
production takes place. These varieties are important from the point of view of genetic
resource conservation, as they possess many positive traits that are also the starting point
for clonal selection and breeding work.
The literature covering these varieties was very scarce until recently when many
new reports were published, mainly on three varieties from Dalmatia (Tugarka,
a
Email: avokurka@agr.hr.

Proc. VIth Intl. Cherry Symposium

Eds.: M. Ayala et al. 401
Acta Hort. 1020, ISHS 2014
Stonska and Gomilika). Kovaevi (1993) studied cross-pollination of Tugarka
trying to determine the best pollinator. His conclusion was that the best pollinator was the
sour cherry variety Maraska. Raduni et al. (2007) reported on incompatibility of
Tugarka in the region of Katela. Miljkovi (1991) listed Gomilika, Tugarka and
Stonska among the other varieties produced in Croatia, and he emphasized their
economic value but without any supporting data. Raduni (2007) gave short descriptions
of all three varieties from the Katela region and reported they are cross-pollinated.
Raduni et al. (2008) reported on the value of Tugarka, Stonska and Gomilika as the
most important autochthonous varieties for the region of Dalmatia.
Ljubii et al. (2008) suggested that Lovranska sweet cherry belongs among the
best varieties for its good economic potential. It also has a cultural value, since sweet
cherry festivals are held in Lovran, the town after which the variety got its name.
However, Lovranska could be a synonym to Lambert (Vokurka et al., 2001), as
samples of Lambert and Lovranska had the same RAPD profile. Okika sweet cherry
is mentioned in only one report (melik et al., 2004) by which the authors note the
existence of variability within Okika populations. There are no reports about the
variety Kutjevaka, but it is listed in the official National List of Varieties for
agricultural plants (ZSR, 2009). Creska sweet cherry is mentioned by Vokurka et al.
(2001) as a possible synonym with Lovranska, but others have proven they are not
synonyms.
In this paper, we give descriptions of autochthonous sweet cherry varieties in
Croatia according to IPGRI descriptors. We also provide estimates of their potential for
commercial production and set up guidelines for further research of biodiversity in sweet
cherries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The varieties were evaluated according to cherry descriptors and guidelines set by
IBPGR (Schmidt et al., 1985). Evaluation was conducted in several locations, in
commercial orchards within the regions where particular varieties are produced. The
evaluation of tree parts was done on at least five trees and two plant parts per tree, while
the evaluation of fruits was done on at least 20 fruits per tree. Only descriptors that can be
evaluated during the ripening season were evaluated. The approximate age of the trees
evaluated, and their location, is given in Table 1.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results of descriptor evaluation are shown in Table 2. Market importance of a
variety is mainly linked to the characteristics of the fruit. All autochthonous Croatian
varieties have positive traits with regards to shape, size and the taste of the fruits. The
maturity time of these varieties varies from early ripening (Gomilika) to late ripening
(Okika). They have mainly big fruits and a good balance of acids and sugars,
suggesting good potential for commercial sweet cherry production. Descriptions given
here are limited, but they provide a general overview which can serve as a starting point
in evaluating of these varieties. In order to obtain a more detailed picture, these varieties
should be propagated and planted into comparative orchards with several well-known
varieties.
One of the challenges of these varieties is their possible synonymy with other
existing varieties. These doubts may be a consequence of introduction of the varieties
through unofficial channels which occurred during the last 100-150 years, and their
subsequent spread with local names. Their current names, which are toponyms, might
refer to the starting points of their spread.
The doubts about synonymy might be solved by using DNA molecular marker
techniques. Due to the lack of SSR primers developed for sweet cherry, and cross-specific
amplification among Rosaceae species, the choice of loci should be done among those
reported by Cipriani et al. (1999), Testolin et al. (2000), Cantini et al. (2001), Dirlewanger
et al. (2002) and Pedersen (2006).

402
 A serious drawback of uncontrolled propagation (as traditionally has been done) is
the spreading of viral diseases by grafts. Present sanitary status of autochthonous varieties
is unknown and it should be checked by ELISA test. If viruses are present, it will be
necessary to produce virus-free material using in vitro sanitation methods.
Finally, the S-alleles of these varieties need to be identified using PCR methods
(Sonneveld et al., 2003; Wnsch and Hormaza, 2004). This will guide the choice of the
most appropriate pollinators which have overlapping flowering time and a compatible S-
allele structure.

CONCLUSIONS
Further research regarding Croatian autochthonous varieties should take the
following directions:
1) All Croatian autochthonous varieties of sweet cherry have an important role in
traditional production, but this is limited to particular (small) geographic areas. At the
same time, they have high potential for commercial production in other regions of
Croatia.
2) These varieties should be genotyped using SSR markers in order to identify their DNA
profile for comparison with available results of other varieties.
3) All the varieties confirmed to be unique should be clonally propagated, grafted on
standard rootstocks (Gisela 5, Colt or MaxMa 14), and planted in a newly established
collection orchards. The orchards should also contain several well-known standard
varieties, enabling appropriate evaluation, description and comparison.
4) Sanitary status of all autochthonous varieties should be checked by ELISA test before
propagation. Propagation should be done only if virus-free material is detected, or after
undertaking appropriate sanitation measures.
5) S-alleles in autochthonous varieties should be identified by PCR in order to narrow the
choice of appropriate pollinators.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to the Agricultural Institute Osijek for supporting attendance at the
conference, for Dr. Snjeana Bolari who provided technical help and advising. Thanks to
the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia for funding the
project no. 073-1781844-1930.

Literature Cited
Cantini, C., Iezzoni, A.F., Lamboy, W.F., Boritzki, M. and Struss, D. 2001. DNA finger-
printing of tetraploid cherry germplasm using simple sequence repeats. J. Amer. Soc.
Hort. Sci. 126:205-209.
Cipriani, G., Lot, G., Huang, W.-G., Marrazzo, M.T., Peterlunger, E. and Testolin, R.
1999. AC/GT and AG/CT microsatellite repeats in peach [Prunus persica (L) Batsch]:
isolation, characterisation and cross-species amplification in Prunus. Theor. Appl.
Genet. 99:65-72.
melik, Z., Duralija, B. and Drui-Orli, J. 2004. Okika' trenja. Proc. 39th Croatian
Symposium on Agriculture, Opatija, Croatia, 17-20 Feb. p.779.
Dirlewanger, E., Cosson, P., Tavaud, M., Aranzana, M.J., Poizat, C., Zanetto, A., Ars, P.
and Laigret, F. 2002. Development of microsatellite markers in peach [Prunus persica
(L.) Batsch] and their use in genetic diversity analysis in peach and sweet cherry
(Prunus avium L.). Theor. Appl. Genet. 105:127-138.
FAOstat. 2009. http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/default.aspx#ancor (access date: Nov 12,
2009).
Kovaevi, I. 1993. Istraivanje prikladnih opraivaa za trenju Tugarku u ekolokim
uvjetima Poljica. Hrvat. voar. glas. 2(1):1-3.
Ljubii, I., Duralija, B., Jemri, T., Safner, T. and Brajan, M. 2008. Fruit quality of
Lovranska sweet cherry. Acta Hort. 795:837-840.
Miljkovi, I. 1991. Suvremeno voarstvo. Nakladni zavod Znanje, Zagreb.

403
Pedersen, B.H. 2006. DNA fingerprints of 51 sweet and sour Prunus accessions using
Simple Sequence Repeats. J. Hortic. Sci. Biotech. 81:118-124.
Raduni, M. 2007. Uzgoj i zatita trenje. Institut za jadranske kulture i melioraciju kra,
Split.
Raduni, M., Vuletin Selak, G., Striki, F. and melik, Z. 2007. Poveanje rodnosti sorte
trenje Tugarka odabirom najuspjenijih opraivaa. Proc. 37th Croatian Symposium
on Agriculture. Opatija, Croatia.
Raduni, M., Klepo, T., Striki, F., melik, Z. and Barbari, M. 2008. Osobine sorata
trenje uzgajanih u Dalmaciji. Pomologia Croatica 14(3):159-168.
Sonneveld, T., Tobutt, K.R. and Robbins, T.P. 2003. Allele-specific PCR detection of
sweet cherry self-incompatibility (S) alleles S1 to S16 using consensus and allele
specific primers. Theor. Appl. Genet. 107:1057-1070.
Schmidt, H., Vittrup-Christensen, J., Watkins, R. and Smith, R.A. (eds.). 1985. Cherry
descriptor list. AGPG: IBPGR/85/37. International Board for Plant Genetic Resources,
Secretariat, Rome.
Testolin, R., Marrazzo, T., Cipriani, G., Quarta, R., Verde, I., Dettori, M.T., Pancaldi, M.
and Sansavini, S. 2000. Microsatellite DNA in peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) and
its use in fingerprinting and testing the genetic origin of cultivars. Genome 43:512-
520.
Vokurka, A., Jemri, T., Duralija, B., Brajan, M. and Peji, I. 2001. Istraivanje
autohtonosti Lovranske trenje. Proc. 37th Croatian Symposium on Agriculture.
Opatija, Croatia 19-23 Feb. p.377.
Wnsch, A. and Hormaza, J.I. 2004. S-allele identification by PCR analysis in sweet
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Tables

Table 1. Varieties evaluated, the climate of the growing region in Croatia, rootstock and
the approximate age of the trees.

Age of the
Variety Location Climate Rootstock trees (years)
Creska Island of Cres Mediterranean P. mahaleb 20
Lovranska Towns: Opatija and Mediterranean Colt 10
Lovran
Gomilika Region of Katela Mediterranean P. mahaleb 30
Stonska Region of Katela Mediterranean P. mahaleb 30
Tugarka Region of Katela Mediterranean P. mahaleb 30
Okika Mountain: Continental P. avium 70
Samoborsko gorje
Kutjevaka Towns: Continental P. avium 20
Osijek, Kutjevo

404
 Table 2. Descriptors evaluated for all autochthonous varieties in Croatia.

Variety
Descriptor
Creska Lovranska Gomilika Stonska
2. Tree: vigor (1-9) strong (7) medium (5) medium (5) medium (5)
3. Tree: habit (1-9) spreading (7) semi-upright (5) semi-upright (5) semi-upright (5)
4. Tree: branching (3-7) medium (5) medium (5) medium (5) medium (5)
5. One-year-old shoot: no. of lenticels (3-7) medium (5) medium (5) medium (5) few (3)
8. Leaf blade: length (3-7) medium (5) medium (5) medium (5) medium (5)
9. Leaf blade: width (3-7) medium (5) medium (5) broad (7) medium (5)
10. Leaf blade: ratio length / width (3-7) medium (5) medium (5) small (3) small (3)
12. Leaf: length of petiole (3-7) medium (5) long (7) medium (5) medium (3)
14. Petiole: nectaries (1,9) present (1) present (1) present (1) present (1)
15. Petiole: color of nectaries (1-5) light red (3) dark red (4) dark red (4) light red (3)
19. Fruit: size (1-9) large (7) medium (5) large (7) large (7)
20. Fruit: shape (1-5) cordate (5) oblong (4) oblong (4) circular (3)
21. Fruit: pistil end (1-3) pointed (1) flat (2) pointed (1) depressed (3)
22. Fruit: color of skin 1-8) red (5) red (5) dark red (7) dark red (7)
23. Fruit: size of lenticels on skin (3-7) large (7) medium (5) small (3) small (3)
24. Fruit: number of lenticels on skin (3-7) many (7) few (3) few (3) few (3)
25. Fruit: color of juice pink (3) red (4) red (4) pink (3)
26. Fruit: color of flesh (1-5) yellow (2) cream white (1) cream white (1) yellow (2)
27. Fruit: firmness (3-7) firm (7) medium (5) soft (3) firm (7)
28. Fruit: acidity (1-9) very low (1) low (3) low (3) low (3)
29. Fruit: sweetness (3-7) medium (5) medium (5) medium (5) medium (5)
30. Fruit: juiciness (3-7) medium (5) medium (5) strong (7) medium (5)
31. Fruit: length of pedicel (1-9) long (7) long (7) long (7) long (7)
33. Fruit: thickness of pedicel (3-7) medium (5) thin (3) medium (5) medium (5)
34. Stone: size (3-7) medium (5) small (3) small (3) medium (5)
36. Stone: size relative to fruit small (3) medium (5) small (3) medium (5)
38. Time of fruit maturity (1-9) late (7) medium (5) very early (1) late (7)
(continued)
405

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Table 2. Descriptors evaluated for all autochthonous varieties in Croatia (continued).

406

Variety
Descriptor
Tugarka Okika Kutjevaka
2. Tree: vigor (1-9) strong (7) weak (3) strong (7)
3. Tree: habit (1-9) spreading (7) upright (3) spreading(7)
4. Tree: branching (3-7) strong (7) medium (5) medium (5)
5. One-year-old shoot: no. of lenticels (3-7) few (3) medium (5) few (3)
8. Leaf blade: length (3-7) long (7) short (3) medium (5)
9. Leaf blade: width (3-7) narrow (3) broad (7) medium (5)
10. Leaf blade: ratio length / width (3-7) large (7) medium (5) medium (5)
12. Leaf: length of petiole (3-7) long (7) medium (3) long (7)
14. Petiole: nectaries (1,9) present (1) present (1) present (1)
15. Petiole: color of nectaries (1-5) light red (3) dark red (4) light red (3)
19. Fruit: size (1-9) large (7) small (3) large (7)
20. Fruit: shape (1-5) cordate (5) cordate (5) cordate (5)
21. Fruit: pistil end (1-3) flat (2) depressed (3) pointed (1)
22. Fruit: color of skin 1-8) red (5) brown red (6) red (5)
23. Fruit: size of lenticels on skin (3-7) medium (5) small (3) large (7)
24. Fruit: number of lenticels on skin (3-7) many (7) many (7) medium (5)
25. Fruit: color of juice pink (3) red (4) pink (3)
26. Fruit: color of flesh (1-5) yellow (2) red (4) yellow (2)
27. Fruit: firmness (3-7) firm (7) firm (7) medium (5)
28. Fruit: acidity (1-9) low (3) low (3) low (3)
29. Fruit: sweetness (3-7) medium (5) high (7) medium (5)
30. Fruit: juiciness (3-7) medium (5) medium (5) medium (5)
31. Fruit: length of pedicel (1-9) long (7) medium (5) medium (5)
33. Fruit: thickness of pedicel (3-7) medium (5) thin (3) medium (5)
34. Stone: size (3-7) small (3) small (3) medium (5)
36. Stone: size relative to fruit small (3) small (3) medium (5)
38. Time of fruit maturity (1-9) late (7) very late (9) late (7)

406