Evaluation of blackcurrant cultivars for use as a table fruit

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate 12 perspective blackcurrant cultivars in relation to their suitability for table fruit production. Selected traits (fruit set, beginning of picking ripeness, length of cluster, weight of 100 fruits, fruit firmness and fruit taste) were evaluated in these cultivars. Each cultivar was grown in experimental planting of RBIP Holovousy Ltd., and was represented with three plants in two growing systems: as two-stem spindle with support and shaped bush. Planting was covered with foil mounted on the construction. Foil cover was used to obtain higher fruit quality, to protect plants against negative climatic factors and to allow harvest in optimum time regardless on the weather conditions. In most cases, more attractive fruits were obtained using the system of two-stem spindle compared with shaped bush. The longest clusters were found in cultivars 'Lota', 'Triton', 'Fokus' and 'Ometa'. The best taste was detected in cultivars 'Ometa', 'Demon', 'Fokus' and 'Ceres'.