PERFORMANCE IN DENMARK OF 20 SUMMERLAND SELECTIONS OF SWEET CHERRY

Fruit characteristics and productivity of 20 Summerland cultivars were evaluated during the years 1994-1996 in Denmark. High resistance to f ruit cracking; and large fruits are the most important quality charact eristics under the Danish conditions. In order of ripening the followi ng selections seem to be of greatest interest: 'Newstar' is unique for good fruit size and firm fruits in the earlier part of the season and it is self fertile. A weakness might be its cracking suceptibility. I n almost the same season. 'Celeste', 'Van', 'Sunburst' and 13S-21-7 ma y be of interest for good firmness combined with high productivity. Ea ch one having shortcomings and advantages. 'Lapins' is an established cultivar in many regions for its late ripening and firm fruits. 'Sweet heart' is of interest in being even later than 'Lapins' and may have s lightly bigger fruits. In our test the selections '11W-20-42', '13S-27 -17' and '13S-43-48' were very promising in the very late season due t o the same good qualities as 'Sweetheart' combined with good precosity and good productivity.