EVALUATION OF SWEET CHERRY CULTIVARS INTRODUCED IN GREECE

Eight sweet cherry cultivars were evaluated for their plant growth characteristics, blossom and ripening period. All cultivars had moderate to vigorous growth. The cvs Bigarreau Burlat, Lapins and Adriana blossomed at the first days of April while cvs Ferrovia, Regina, Kordia, Bakirtzeika and Germersdorfer 5-10 days after Bigarreau Burlat. The ripening period ranged from early May to early June according to variety. Cultivar Bigarreau Burlat ripened earliest than the other cultivars, while cvs Germersdorfer and Bakirtzeika ripened 20 days after Bigarreau Burlat.All cultivars produced very large fruits, with good quality characteristics and high to moderate yield.