Total Cherry, the stonefruit arm of Total Produce UK, has been working on establishing a unique domestic cherry variety trial in Kent, by planning the trial of 20 varieties at Owens Court Farm.
Technical manager Thierry Croze said: "We have established the trial on Gisela rootstock, which we believe should produce earlier fruit, regular cropping and smaller trees than Colt rootstock.
"The objectives of the trial are to test new varieties, obtain regular cropping by adapting agronomic practices on established varieties like Kordia and importantly improve yield without affecting quality and size on established varieties like Sweet Heart."
The new varieties introduced are from various breeding programmes from Canada, eastern Europe, France, Italy, the UK and the US.
Croze is optimistic about the potential offered by a further trial planned for planting next winter in Hereford, with an additional 15 new varieties set to be introduced.
The project has already widened to include other stonefruit that has the potential to become an economically viable crop in UK conditions. Croze confirmed he already has 14 -20 apricot varieties available for planting.
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