Current state of cultivar diversity and breeding directions for sour cherry in the Russian Federation

The article analyzes the current state of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) cultivation in Russia with focus on regional specifics of the cultivar assortment and the adaptive potential of the crop. The steady rise in domestic demand has exposed a deficit in local production, making it imperative to expand commercial cultivation and update the varietal portfolio. According to the State Register of Breeding Achievements (98 cultivars) and BusinesStat® statistics, mid-season forms predominate (about 48 %), with a deficiency of late-season cultivars capable of extending the period of fresh fruit supply and balancing the workload for processing. Based on published materials from Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery, Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding, Ural Federal Agrarian Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences‚ Federal Research Center N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources and other centers, significant progress is associated with the selection of genotypes combining winter hardiness (including resistance of flower buds), field resistance to coccomycosis and moniliosis, and the technological qualities of the fruits. The research demonstrates the impact of meteorological factors, primarily precipitation, on fruit weight and biochemical indices, as well as inter-cultivar variability in the amino acid profile. The study confirms the necessity of expanding the cultivar range through the introduction of late-season varieties resistant to diseases and adverse environmental conditions. A strategic use of domestic and local genetic material in focused breeding initiatives is essential for building a sustainable production foundation and reduction of import dependency.