Black currant response to foliar fertilizers – modeling of varietal growth dynamics

Abstract

Black currant cultivation is in continuous expansion, with importance in human nutrition and a high degree of suitability for industrial processing. The nutritional, organoleptic, and pharmaceutical qualities of its fruits represent a great source of natural antioxidants, vitamins, and phenols. We have tested the specific reaction of three black currant varieties to foliar fertilizers in order to obtain two growth models. Each variety have a specific response to fertilizers. Application of Kombimax lead to the highest increase during the vegetation period and 72 cm length of branches at the end of vegetation period. Ascovigor and Mikromix produces 3–4 cm increases in branches length compared to control. N, K2O, and CaO from fertilizer recipe act synergically for the final development of branches. The growth model based on branches length at 14 days add 0.97 cm for each existent cm. The complex model of growth add 2.44 cm for each mg of CaO existent in fertilizer recipe. Linear regressions show a growth potential of 0.97 cm/1 cm of branches at 14 days.