Until recently, talking about cherry crops in the warm lands of Murcia might have sounded like science fiction. But an innovative variety, the Royal Tioga, is proving not only that it is possible but also that it can mark a turning point for Spanish cherries. This fruit ripens weeks earlier than traditional varieties, but it also does so with exceptional quality, thus opening new opportunities and commercial pathways for farmers.
The key to this advancement lies in its ability to develop with very few hours of winter chill, making it ideal for low-altitude areas with a temperate climate. Specifically, this is observed in farms located just 200 meters above sea level and a few kilometers from the Murcian coast.
The project, driven by the Aragonese nursery Mariano Soria and with the technical expertise of its team, found the perfect ally in producer Manuel Cutillas to test this variety in the southeastern region. The result was an experimental plantation under a greenhouse protected with plastic and shading nets, capable of simulating the necessary conditions to accumulate the 250 hours of cold required for its development.
Reinventing cultivation
As explained by Luis Elías, the technical manager of the nursery, the work has not been easy: “We had to completely reinvent the management of the crop. Pruning, nutrition, and growth conditions are very different from those typically found in Aragon or mountainous areas.”
The great appeal of this variety lies in its precocity; the harvest occurs as early as mid-April, a time when cherries have barely entered the market. And it does so with remarkable quality, between 18 and 20 degrees Brix, which indicate a high sugar content, good crunchy texture, and suitable coloring, which has been one of the main challenges in warm areas. “At first, it was difficult to achieve uniform coloring, but now, thanks to more refined management, we achieve a product that is attractive both visually and in flavor,” says Elías.
At Cutillas’ farm, located in an area traditionally dedicated to apricot cultivation, a plot of 6,000 m² has been converted into a test field for this new variety. The gamble was risky, but the result has been so promising that an expansion of the cultivated area is already being considered. “The cherry tree requires more techniques than other fruit trees, but the market prices compensate for the effort. At this time, there is practically no competition,” the farmer indicates. In fact, the success has sparked interest among other producers in his cooperative, who are already studying joining this innovative endeavor.
The case of the Royal Tioga in Murcia demonstrates that agricultural technology and varietal improvement can rewrite the rules of the game. What, until recently, was exclusive territory for mountainous regions with cold winters can now be cultivated in temperate areas under controlled conditions.
Article from: https://as.com/actualidad/sociedad/adios-a-las-cerezas-de-toda-la-vida-esta-es-la-variedad-que-esta-abriendo-nuevos-caminos-en-espana-n/
Translation: SmartCherry.World
