Currant Cultivars Research Articles

Pomological traits and fruit quality of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) cultivars as affected by soil management system

Pomological traits and fruit quality of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) cultivars as affected by soil management system

Pollination and hybridisation systems in genus Ribes L. (Grossulariaceae)

Currants are important berry crops cultivated for medicinal purposes. Most currant cultivars are crossings between Ribes nigrum varieties, while many Ribes species are not used in hybridisation. Recent research on Ribes crossbreeding is scarce. Hybridisation of wild species can improve reproductive success and the taste of fruit. However, hybrids of certain currant species cannot produce fully formed berries. Crossbreeding of currant species was performed in Northwest Russia (Saint Petersburg Botanical Garden). The research included both introduced (R. sachalinense, R. sanguineum, R. rubrum, R. hispidulum, R. mandschuricum, R. spicatum, R. latifolium) and native species (R. aureum, R. alpinum, R. nigrum). The research aimed to identify the hybridisation system, pollination mechanisms and hybrids with the highest percentage of fruit and seed set. Pollen fertility and viability were assessed. Pollen is fertile (acetocarmin staining: 80.3% for R. alpinum and 96.0% for R. mandschuricum); germination is active on nutrient medium and in situ, especially in R. sachalinense, R. aureum and R. spicatum (54.2–41.8%). Pollen germination can be irregular. Flowers were castrated before pollination. Optimal hybrids with a high percentage of fruit set were identified: R. alpinum x R. mandschuricum, R. alpinum x R. aureum, R. sachalinense x R. sanguineum, R. rubrum, R. hispidulum.

Assortment of black currant cultivars for the Southern Urals

The aim of the study was to assess black currant cultivars for yield, environmental plasticity and stability in Chelyabinsk Province. We identified adaptable black currant cvs. ‘Seyanets Druzhnoy’ (4.43 t/ha; AQ = 1.54), ‘Polar’ (3.59 t/ha; 1.38), ‘Venera’ (4.48 t/ha; 1.35), ‘Zhemchuzhina’ (4.49 t/ha; 1.34), ‘Sudarushka’ (4.43 t/ha; 1.30), ‘Bolero’ (3.42 t/ha; 1.20), ‘Gera’ (3.97 t/ha; 1.16), ‘Mortti’ (3.46 t/ha; 1.06), ‘Podarok Ilyinoy’ (3.89 t/ha; 1.03), ‘Selva’ (3.21 t/ha; 1.02) and ‘Mayak’ (3.54 t/ha; 1.01). The most interesting are intensive-type cultivars, capable of significantly increasing their productivity with the improved growing conditions. Intensive-type cultivars developed in Chelyabinsk are cvs. ‘Podarok Ilyinoy’, ‘Sudarushka’, ‘Zhemchuzhina’, ‘Gera’, ‘Mayak’ and ‘Venera’ (bi = 1.70, 1.68, 1.52, 1.46, 1.40, and 1.28, respectively).The locally developed cv. ‘Seyanets Druzhnoy’, environmentally plastic but insufficiently stable (bi = 1.17; Si2 = 6.1), exceeded in its average yield the environmentally plastic and stable cvs. ‘Selva’ (bi = 0.77; Si2 = 0.7) and ‘Mortti’ (bi = 0.93; Si2 = 1.1). Cv. ‘Bolero’ developed by the Vavilov Institute (VIR) and the Swedish cv. ‘Polar’ are neutral, i.e., they weakly respond to changes in cultivation conditions. High yields were recorded for cvs. ‘Zhemchuzhina, ‘Venera’, ‘Sudarushka’, ‘Seyanets Druzhnoy’, ‘Gera’, ‘Podarok Ilyinoy’, ‘Polar’, ‘Mayak’, ‘Mortti’ and ‘Bolero’.The yield of the following cultivars was at the average level for the experiment: ‘Rusalka’ (bi = 1.50), ‘Orloviya’ (bi = 1.56), ‘Pigmey’ (bi = 1.30), plus the yield (3.36 to 3.25 t/ha) of environmentally stable cvs. ‘Legenda’ (bi = 1.24; Si2 = 0.3), ‘Kama’ (bi = 1.00; Si2 = 0.8), and ‘Dochka’ (bi = 1.15; Si2 = 0.5). Cvs. ‘Zem Zarin’ (1.79 t/ha), ‘Chernecha’ (1.82 t/ha), ‘Zorya Galitskaya’‚ (2.18 t/ha), ‘Sibilla’ (2.37 t/ha), ‘Krasa Lvova’ (2.52 t/ha) and ‘Shakhalevskaya’ (2.84 t/ha) demonstrated yield levels significantly lower than the average.

Evaluation of nutritional, color and volatiles properties of currant (Ribes spp.) cultivars in Turkey

Abstract In this study, the properties of nutritional, color and volatile organic compounds of currant varieties (Ribes spp.) in Turkey were investigated. A total of 125 different volatile organic compounds were identified with GC-QTOF/MS. The levels of protein, sugar fractions, dietary fibre, ascorbic acid and minerals of the currant fruits were found to be different between varieties. Ascorbic acid content ranged from 169.33 to 725.52 mg/100 g dry weight. The K, Ca and Mg minerals were found to be in high amount in all varieties. Total dietary fibre levels were found between 7.17 (Red Lake) and 9.90 g/100 g dw (Rosenthal). The common volatiles found in all cultivars were ocimene, carene, alpha-phellandrene, alpha-terpinene, benzaldehyde and piperonal. ‘Rosenthal’ and ‘Goliath’ displayed large differences in the volatile fraction which allow for their discrimination in the PCA (principal component analysis) plot.

Currant growing technology and mechanized harvesting-review

Currant is a technological, fast-growing, high-yielding crop with a high content of vitamins in the fruit. The intensification of production provides for an increase in the productivity of plantings and a reduction in the cost of production due to the introduction of new cultivation technologies. The main production expenses are connected with harvest. The authors of this paper present the first and modern berry harvesters that reduce the cost of production and ensure high productivity of automated labor. The prospect of using technologies is based on agricultural techniques for cultivating highly productive, disease-and pest-resistant currant cultivars with a certain bush habit and physical and mechanical parameters of berries. Scientists have developed new breeding programs for Ribes, taking into account the genetic characteristics of the cultivar. The review presents the main cultivars of currants grown commercially in Europe, the USA, and Russia. Information about crop cultivation technologies is summarized and analyzed.

Flavonols composition of Ribes nigrum L. juices and their impact on spasmolytic activity

BACKGROUND: Black currants are berries that attract attention due to the beneficial effects they possess. They are proven to be good antioxidants, anticancerogenic, cardio- and neuroprotective agents. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this research was to evaluate the differences in the flavonols composition, antioxidant and spasmolytic activity of juices obtained from four different black currant cultivars – Triton, Tenah, Ben Sarek, and Ometa, grown over a 4-year long period on the territory of Serbia. METHODS: The qualitative and quantitative determination of black currants juices flavonols was performed using the HPLC. The antioxidative activity was carried out in DPPH and β-carotene systems. The study examined the impact of the main black currants flavonols and black currants juices on the spontaneous, KCl, and acetylcholine-induced ileum smooth muscle contractions. RESULTS: The dominant flavonol in juices of the four different black currant cultivars was myricetin, with its highest content obtained from the 2015 Triton juice (820.1±34.7 μg g–1). Quercetin was the second in abundance and the lowest yields were observed in kaempferol. CONCLUSION: The investigated black currant cultivars were proven to be good sources of flavonols and potential antioxidants with the significant spasmolytic activity that could be successfully used in treating gastrointestinal disorders.

Physical and mechanical properties of berries and biological features of red currant growth for mechanized harvesting

The physical and mechanical parameters of berries and the morphometric features of the structure of the bush growth habit are important criteria in predicting the use of berry harvesting equipment. In this research, six red currant cultivars have been studied. The berry separation force, the crushing force, and the strength of attachment of the berries to the stalk were assigned to the physical and mechanical parameters and were determined using the "PLODTEST-1" and "Dina-2" devices (Russia). For the optimal operation of the berry harvester, the crushing force of the berries must be more than 2 N, the berry separation force must be in the range of 0.5–1.5 N. A high correlation between the separation and crushing forces was determined (R = 0.71). During the period of technical maturity, the strength of the attachment of the berries in the raceme was more than 0.5 N and, by the end of maturation, this indicator decreased. Most of the studied cultivars have a compact, optimal bush volume. The red currant cultivars Niva, Asya and Vika are promising for mechanised harvesting.

Chemical and technological assessment of All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding red currant cultivars for jellification

The jellification capacity of 16 cultivars and 79 selected nurselings of redcurrant from the All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding collection was studied in order to identify the parental forms that can effectively produce well jellifying hybrids. Material processing and jellification assessment were carried out in compliance with the “Programme and Protocol for Fruit, Berry and Nut Crops Varietal Testing” (Orel, 1999) and GOST R 55462-2013. The assignment of cultivars into well-, medium- and poorly-jellifying categories revealed a declining average gustatory score from the well-jellifying towards the medium- and poorly-jellifying groups, (4.4, 4.3, 4.2 points, respectively), which indicates the significance of the jellification value in gustatory score. The well-jellifying cultivars were: Valentinovka, Podarok Leta and selected nurselings 78-2-100, 80-4-11, 164-22-88, 164-22-97 (4.6 points); Orlovskaya Zvezda, Dar Orla, Orlovchanka and nurselings 618-32-16, 79-1-89, 168-18-73, 84-1-105, 77-1-56, 164-22-41 (4.5 points). The jelly from the fruits of these varieties was characterized by a visually attractive dense jelly without separation (syneresis), as a result of which they can be recommended for obtaining natural pectin-containing products with or without the minimal use of additional gelling agents. Most of the trial cultivars were obtained by breeding of the Rote Shpetleze and Tchulkovskaya cultivars as paternal forms. Among the 46 siblings of the Rote Shpetleze cultivar, 28, 8, and 10 demonstrated good, medium and poor jellification capacities, respectively. Among the 25 siblings of the Tchulkovskaya cultivar, only three demonstrated good jellification, with three having medium jellification and the rest demonstrating poor jellifying capability. The majority of well-jellifying strains were obtained with Rote Shpetleze, which therefore can be recommended as parental material for creating varieties having a high fruit jellification capacity.

THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS REGARDING THE BEHAVIOR OF SOME CURRANT CULTIVARS ON THE SANDY SOILS FROM THE SOUTH OF OLTENIA

The currant is an rustic species, with a high biological potential, able of yielding 5-8 tons / ha. It grows wildly in mountainous areas of Europe (Alps, Carpathians), Asia and North America. The currant is one of the most widespread shrubs in cultivation in our country. The production results were better for the black currant compared to the red currant. In the study period, from all studied red currant cultivars, the Detvan cultivar was highligth with 2.9 t/ha yield. For the black currant cultivars the yield was much higher versus to the red currants yield, being between 3.0 t/ha to Poli 51 cultivar and 4.6 t / ha to Tisel cultivar.

Comparison of phenolics, antioxidant capacity and total phenol bioaccessibility of Ribes spp. grown in Turkey

In this study, anthocyanins (13), flavanols (6), phenolic acids (10), flavonol glycosides (17), antioxidant capacity, and bioaccessible phenolic content of Ribes spp., grown in Turkey were investigated. Individual phenolic compounds were identified and quantified with LC-QTOF/MS in red and black currants and hybrid Jostaberry. Significant variations in the individual phenolic compounds could be observed between the different cultivars. In all black currant cultivars, cyanidin 3,5-di-O-glucoside was the predominant anthocyanin compounds (p ≤ 0.01). Cyanidin 3-O-sambubioside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside were detected in red currants. In all Ribes cultivars quercetin 3-O-rutinoside was the major flavonol glycoside and epigallocatechin found as the dominant flavonol compound. Rosenthal had the highest amount of total phenols, antioxidant capacity levels by DPPH and CUPRAC. Boskoop Giant characterized with the highest amount of total anthocyanin and bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds (84.27%).

Effects of shoot age on biological and chemical properties of red currant (Ribes rubrum L.) cultivars

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the influence of shoot age on biological and chemical properties of 11 red currant cultivars (‘Jonkheer van Tets’, ‘Junifer’, ‘London Market’, ‘Makosta’, ‘Mirana’, ‘Redpoll’, ‘Rolan’, ‘Rondom’, ‘Rovada’, ‘Slovakia’ and ‘Stanza’) with different origins and ripening times. Phenological observations and pomological characteristics were studied and chemical analysis was conducted from 2013 to 2018 at experimental fields near Belgrade, Serbia. The total contents of phenols and anthocyanin were estimated spectrophotometrically, while quantitative analysis of anthocyanin aglycones was done using high-performance liquid chromatography. Three-year-old shoots had an earlier start of all examined phenological stages, better generative potential, higher yields, as well as higher total phenol and vitamin C contents in the fruits, compared with 2-year-old shoots, for all cultivars. The contents of total anthocyanins were higher in berries on younger shoots of early-ripening cultivars, while late-ripening cultivars had higher contents of total soluble solids and cyanidin in the berries on 3-year-old shoots. Principal component analysis demonstrated that the most important variables that distinguished 2-year-old shoots from 3-year-old shoots were those related to phenological data, cluster traits, total acids and yields. According to the obtained results, ‘Junifer’ (with the highest number of clusters), ‘Mirana’ (with the highest sugar content and sugar/acid ratio), ‘Redpoll’ (with the highest physical traits of cluster and berry), ‘Slovakia’ (with the highest yield and yield efficiency) and ‘Rovada’ (with the highest level of secondary metabolites) are recommended as the most promising cultivars for growing in the temperate region of Serbia.

Viability of black currant pollen before and after cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen, and its morphological features

Background.Learning about morphological and biological features of pollen is very important to make correct estimations of plant productivity and breeding efficiency.Materials and methods. The viability of black currant pollen was analyzed in 2019 at the Laboratory for Long-Term Storage of Plant Genetic Resources, N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR). Eleven black currant cultivars of various ecogeographic and genetic origin maintained at Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR served as the material for the research. Pollen viability was tested on an artificial medium with 10% sucrose and 0.8% agar. Morphological studies were carried out using light and confocal laser scanning microscopy at the Palynology Laboratory and the Core Centrum of Cell and Molecular Technologies in Plant Science housed by the Komarov Botanical Institute (BIN).Results and conclusion. The prevailing adverse weather conditions in 2019 produced a negative impact on the process of male generative structure formation. The level of pollen viability, depending on the cultivar, ranged from 17.98 to 58.60%. After exposure to liquid nitrogen (–196°C) for 6 months, the number of germinated pollen grains increased 1.1 to 3.2 times in all the studied cultivars, except one (‘Pozdnyaya poslevoennaya’, k-7652). A palynomorphological study revealed that reduced pollen viability in some cultivars (‘Krasnoyarskaya 1018’, k-7607; ‘Tsema’, k-25900; ‘Pozdnyaya poslevoennaya’, k-7652) was associated with morphological deviations in the sporoderm structure (small pollen grains, exine thickening and formation of verrucate mesoporium surfaces). A low positive correlation was observed between the level of pollen viability and the diameters of the pore (r = 0.43) and pollen grain (r = 0.27). An insignificant negative correlation was apparent between the level of viability and the exine thickness (r = –0.33).

Plant breeding evaluation of the red currant cultivar ‘Podarok Pobeditelyam’ and its inbred progeny

Background. Inbreeding, as a way to produce progenies from organisms in different degrees of kinship, is an important genetic and breeding technique used to improve various crops, including fruit and berry plants. Inbreeding has not been extensively used with red currant, so a study of the possibility to employ closely related crosses in breeding practice with this crop remains relevant. The purpose of this study was to assess the breeding potential of the red currant cultivar ‘Podarok Pobeditelyam’ by disclosing economic and biological characteristics in its inbred progeny.Methods and materials. The research was carried out at the red currant breeding site of the Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK, Orel) in 2016–2018. The seedlings obtained from the self-pollination of a new red currant cultivar, ‘Podarok Pobeditelyam’, were the objects of the study. Records and observations were carried out according to the program and methodology for breeding and variety studies of fruit, berry and nut crops.Results and conclusion. The percentage of long-cluster seedlings (cluster length > 10 cm) in the inbred progeny of cv. ‘Podarok Pobeditelyam’ was 21.8%; segregation of large-fruited seedlings (berry weight > 0.65 g) was observed at the level of 17%; the maximum degree of transgression (Tsmax) was 42%; and the incidence of transgressive seedlings was 37%. The analysis of the progeny showed that cv. ‘Podarok Pobeditelyam’ is a homozygote for the dominant Rc gene that controls the red color of the berries, and displays donor properties for the trait “dry detachment of berries”. The study of the cultivar’s self-pollinated progeny did not reveal any inbreeding depression in F1 seedlings from closely related crosses as far as plant condition or productivity is concerned. The selected seedlings are of interest for further variety research and use in breeding practice as new source material.

Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activity in Berry and Leaf Extracts of Black Currant (Ribes nigrum L.) as affected by Soil Management Systems

This experiment evaluated the effect of soil management systems (bare fallow, sawdust mulch and black plastic mulch) on the contents of phenolic compounds (total phenolics, flavonoids, gallotannins and condensed tannins), antioxidant activity (DPPH free radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation) and cytotoxic activity in berry and leaf extracts of seven black currant cultivars. Soil management systems and cultivars showed highly significant differences in the content of phenolic compounds, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Sawdust mulch and bare fallow treatments had a significant positive effect on the synthesis of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in both berries and leaves. On the other hand, black currants grown on black plastic mulch had the highest cytotoxic activity. The tested extracts showed strong antioxidant and cytotoxic potential. Antioxidant activity expressed as the 50% inhibition concentration (IC50 value) ranged from 31.62 to 59.13 µg/mL and from 64.06 to 81.90 µg/mL, while cytotoxic activity varied from 15.91 to 37.89 µg/mL and from 26.28 to 38.18 µg/mL for berries and leaves extracts, respectively. Generally, the results suggested that black currants grow well under varied soil management systems, and indicated that soil management systems had a significant effect on the synthesis and accumulation of the tested parameters.

Individual morphostructural components of yield in black currant cultivars

Background. The size of the fruit, its external attractiveness, along with other important characteristics of a variety, have always been important, especially for amateur gardening. Therefore, new cultivars replenishing the gene pool of black currant preserved by VIR, in addition to their main biological and economic characteristics (flowering and fruiting biology features, resistance to abiotic and biotic environmental factors), undergo mandatory testing for the quality of yield. The aim of this study was to assess individual morphostructural yield components in new cultivars added to the black currant collection of VIR.Materials and methods. The mechanical composition of berries and bunches was analyzed at Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR in 2013–2015. Forty-one black currant cultivars of various ecogeographic origin were the material for the research. Cv. ‘Peterburzhenka’, listed in the State Register of Breeding Achievements for the Northwestern region of Russia, served as the reference. The research was conducted by conventional methods. Statistical data processing was performed using Microsoft Excel.Results and conclusions. Studying individual morphostructural components of yield made it possible to identify cultivars with the largest berries, the most stable fruit weight, and bunches containing 8–9 plump berries. The cultivars with the best combinations of the studied characteristics, suitable for large-scale cultivation and amateur gardening in the Northwest of Russia, are ‘Garmoniya’ (k-40677), ‘Kriviai’ (k-42517), ‘Ben Sarek’ (k-41435), ‘Joninai’ (k-43124), ‘Zhuravushka’ (k-40681), and ‘Shalynya’ (k-41988). Correlations between separate morphostructural yield components were identified, such as: fruit weight – fruit diameter (r = 0.92); fruit weight – number of seeds (r = 0.74); bunch length – number of flowers per bunch (r = 0.65), bunch length – number of berries per bunch (r = 0.52).

Innovative storage technology of modern commercial black currant cultivars

Innovative storage technology of modern commercial black currant cultivars

EVALUATION OF SELF-FERTILITY IN BLACK CURRANT CULTIVARS IN THE NORTHWEST OF RUSSIA

Background. High yield is one of the main requirements for modern black currant cultivars. It depends on many factors, but is always linked to self-fertility. Highly selffertile cultivars are of particular importance in areas with unfavorable weather conditions during flowering, because they are able to provide high yields even in single-cultivar plantings. In this regard, it is very important to study selffertility of cultivars in order to identify those with the highest level of this character for use in breeding and large-scale cultivation.Materials and methods. The study of selffertility was carried out at Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR in 2014–2017. Fifty-seven black currant cultivars of different genetic and ecogeographic origin were the material of the research. The degree of self-fertility was measured by conventional techniques in 3 variants of pollination: 1) natural self-pollination; 2) artificial self-pollination; and 3) free pollination. Statistical data processing was performed using Microsoft Excel and the guidelines by B. A. Dospekhov.Results and conclusions. Highly self-fertile cultivars were identified, which may be recommended for breeders as sources of this trait: ‘Navlya’ (k-42228), ‘Dobrynya’ (k-42121), ‘Golubichka’ (k-32624), ‘Golosievsky velikan’ (k-44176), ‘Valentina’ (k-15631A), ‘Kozatskaya’ (k-44187), ‘Arapka’ (к-44175), ‘Kanakhama’ (k-44197) and ‘Fat’ (k-42509). High yield in the Northwest of Russia can be secured by cultivars that combine high self-fertility with large fruit size: ‘Valentina’ (k-15631A), ‘Vernisazh’ (k-43126), ‘Garmoniya’ (k-40677), ‘Dobrynya’ (k-42121), ‘Desertnaya Ogoltsovoy’(k-45670), ‘Joninai’ (k-43124), ‘Kanakhama’ (k-44197), ‘Karri (k-44172), ‘Mila’ (k-40673), ‘Sevchanka’(k-45551), ‘Sofievskaya’(k-43131), ‘Talisman’ (k-44183), ‘Yubileinaya Kopanya’ (k-44189), ‘Shalunya’(k-41988), and accession 2780-20-33 (k-15575A). It is shown that free pollination and artificial self-pollinationprovide a positive impact on the fruit setting level, fruit weight and seed productivity. Natural autogamy, on the contrary, tends to decrease the weight of berries and the number of seeds in them.

Comparative evaluation of adaptation potential of black currant to uptake Ni in sod-podzolic soil

The paper analyzes the adaptive abilities of black currant cultivars of plants for the assimilation of nickel from highly cultivated sod-podzolic soils containing 10.7-14.1 mg / kg of fluent nickel. Plantings were monitored at experimental plantings of ARHIBAN (Moscow region) on 9 black currant cultivars: Oryol Serenade, Belarusskaja sladkaja, Zagadka, Vologda, Triton, Biryulevskaya, Titania, Orlowsky waltz, Exotica. The agrochemical properties of the soil, the content of fluent nickel in the soil, and its content in the fruits of black currant plants were determined. Based on the analysis, the coefficients of nickel assimilation by black currant plants were calculated and statistical dependencies of its accumulation indicators on agrochemical properties of sod-podzolic soils at different depths of the root layer were determined. According to the results of research, regression dependences of the accumulation of nickel in black currant fruits on the indicators of the agrochemical properties of the soil and the content in the soil of fluent nickel were constructed. It was established that the nickel content in black currant fruits primarily depended on the acidity of the soil, on the content in the soil of fluent nickel, alkaline hydrolysable nitrogen and fluent potassium. Black currant cultivars Belarusskaja sladkaja, Vologda, Triton, Biryulevskaya, Titania were more resistant to soil pollution with nickel.

Pollen Performance of ‘Red Lake’ and ‘Rosenthal’ Currant (Ribes rubrum) Cultivars

Objective: The aim of this study is to test the performance of the pollen grains of ‘Red Lake’ and ‘Rosenthal’ blackcurrant varieties. Pollen morphological homogeneity ratio, pollen viability ratio and germination rate at different temperatures were investigated.Material and Methods: In this study, pollen germination, viability and quality of pollens belongs to ‘Red Lake’ and ‘Rosenthal’ currant cultivars were studied. For the fertilization biology studies, phenologic observations were first noted. In order to determine the pollen performance, morphological homogeneity, pollen viability (TTC staining test) and germination rates (agar in plate) were determined. In addition, the effect of different temperature conditions (15 °C, 20 0C, 25 0C, 30 0C) on pollen germination was noted and the most suitable germination temperature was determined for each cultivar. The effect of different incubation times (6h, 12h, 24h, 48h) on germination capacity was also determined.Results: Morphological homogeneity value of the pollen of the two cultivars was quite high and higher pollen viability should be obtained from morphologically homogenous pollens. Effect of different temperatures on pollen germination percentage was found to be statistically different (p<0.05) for both cultivars.Conclusions: 150C was the optimum temperature to obtain the highest pollen germination for ‘Red Lake’ while 200C was the optimum for ‘Rosenthal’ pollen grains. Increasing incubation period for both cultivars increased overall pollen germination rate.

Contribution of phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and vitamin E to antioxidant activity of currant (Ribes L.) and gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa L.) fruits

Berries of four gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa L.) cultivars of Invicta, Rixanta, Karat and Black Negus and five currant (Ribes L.) cultivars of NS 11, Focus, Ben Gairn, Otelo and Viola were evaluated as potential sources of bioactive compounds with extraordinary antioxidant activity. Their total phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents were determined in the range of 3.52–30.77 g GA.kg−1, 2.83–17.35 g RE.kg−1 and 0.03–186.12 mg COG.100 g−1, respectively. Furthermore, quantification of phenolic compounds and vitamins was established by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection. Flavonoids were the most abundant phenolic substances in the range of 345.0–3726.5 mg.kg−1. Ascorbic acid and vitamin E were established in the amounts of 6.2–14.04 g.kg−1 and 0.43–12.85 mg.kg−1, respectively. Considering all analyzed factors and antioxidant activities determined by various methods (DPPH, ACW and ACL), red gooseberry Black Negus and black currant Otelo were the most significant cultivars.