Nearly 150 people, including technicians, farmers, and supply chain operators, visited Salvi Vivai's new experimental cherry orchard in Portomaggiore in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. On 10 June 2025, guests were able to compare cherries of different varieties, rootstocks, and plant layouts grown under two types of coverings.
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Operators from different European countries
"For nearly two decades, we have been conducting experiments with super-intensive plant systems, and we have developed methods for harvesting them without the use of ladders," Silvia Salvi explained. "Our approach is always scientific. Our collaboration with the University of Bologna ensures the rigorous evaluation of our results."
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The new experimental field comprises two fully protected hectares
The same was true during the field visits. The researchers explained the pros and cons of each adopted system and illustrated the positive and negative results. This allowed everyone to understand how to apply the acquired information to their own farms.
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Silvia Salvi
"Cherry production is lacking this year in almost all European production areas," Salvi added. "However, here and at several farms in northern Italy, the Sweet Group varieties that are properly protected are producing well, despite the very rainy spring."
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Candelabra breeding form
The new candelabrum-shaped cherry tree installation attracted a lot of attention. Designed to improve productivity and optimize crop management, this system provides a solution to the labor shortage and economic sustainability challenges that modern fruit farms have been facing. Jacopo Diamanti, Head of Research and Development at Salvi Vivai, explains, "The plants are spaced 3.30 meters apart within rows and 1.50 meters apart between rows, requiring 2,020 plants per hectare. This compares to the 6,060 plants per hectare required by the traditional super-intensive system. However, the production yield is roughly equivalent."
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Salvi Vivai introduced the new Nimba (COV) and Areko (COV) varieties to extend the production calendar.
The day's events also featured cherry growers from other countries. The main countries represented were France, Germany, Switzerland, Moldova, and Greece. Researchers from the Department of Agri-Food Sciences and Technology (DISTAL) of the University of Bologna, the initiative's scientific partner, led tours alongside Salvi technicians.
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Guido Poli and Marco Salvi
Different multifunctional plant covers were evaluated for their protective effectiveness. Currently, the cost of monofilament covers is 67 thousand euros per hectare, including labor but excluding plants. The cost of monoblock covers is 64 thousand euros per hectare, also excluding plants.
"Rain covers are indispensable and have saved a large part of the production," says researcher Lorenzo Bergonzoni. "Excessive rainfall may lead to cherry cracking as a result of increased water uptake through the roots. Insect control measures have proven consistently effective, allowing treatments to be administered early in the harvest period, thereby reducing the need for additional applications.
"Varietal innovation and advanced agronomic techniques are essential to staying competitive in the market," says Andrea Bagnolini, Salvi Vivai's commercial director. "In recent years, we've expanded our range to include varieties such as Nimba, Areko, Royal Helen, and Royal Lafayette. We're also planning to establish a new experimental field, with a planting density of 3.3 meters by 1 meter - totaling 3,030 plants per hectare - a configuration that represents a middle ground between current planting models."
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Andrea Bagnolini
Bagnolini continues, "According to studies conducted by the University of Bologna, a high-density plant can provide a return on investment as early as the seventh year, which is much faster than traditional plants. The right mix of variety, cultivation methods, and agronomic techniques makes it possible to grow large cherries and reduce labor costs because fewer hours per hectare are needed."
"Once you understand this type of system, it's quite straightforward to implement effectively," says the company's Agronomic Manager, Guido Poli. "We have two fully protected experimental hectares here, where different cherry varieties are planted to allow for direct comparison, including variations in cultivation methods. The results have been very positive. For a farm managing one or two hectares in a rational way and selecting the most suitable approach for its needs, everything becomes much more manageable."
For more information:
Società Agricola Salvi Vivai s.s.
Via Bologna, 714
44124 Ferrara - Italy
+39 0532 785511
[email protected]
www.salvivivai.it