Development of cherry growing in Shaanxi province of PR China

In the frame of the UNDP-CPR/91/113 development project, which aimed the diversification of fruit crops, sweet cherry was introduced in Shaanxi province from 1994 to 1998. Experts from several countries visited the targeted growing sites, around Xi'an, further on to the north in Tongchuan, Luochuan, Ansai counties to collect information on soil and climatic data, as well as experiences of local farmers on different fruit species. Based on this compiled information Hungarian experts recommended planting cherries on Prunus mahaleb rootstock, because this rootstock tolerates the high pH level, lime content of the soil on loess plateau and is not sensitive to crown gall. This first project was continued later on by the Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University in cooperation with local farmers, companies supported by foreigner experts. By now the project “Introduction of big cherry cultural and processing techniques from Europe and USA” achieved planting of 5,000 ha modern high-density cherry orchard in the province. The model orchards in research stations of the NWA&FU and the Zhouling Agricultural Science and Technology Demonstration Park contributed to the knowledge transfer for farmers and dissemination of the new fruit crop. Besides the Hungarian cherry spindle, Spanish bush, hedgerow systems, V planting and UFO was tested and demonstrated in outdoor and greenhouse conditions too. On the higher elevations of loess plateau (from 600 to 1,600 m) the mahaleb rootstock proved to be tolerant to high pH and lime soil as well as tolerant to crown gall. Establishing the healthy, nuclear stock of the proposed cherry cultivars, accumulated experiences of NWA&FU and foreign experts support the three large nurseries, which can produce yearly around four million trees. This supply of propagating material from domestic sources provides a solid base for the planned new orchards for the future.