Winter hardiness of red currant cultivars in the middle zone of Russia

Abstract

In 2015 the All Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK) celebrates its 170th anniversary. The principal directions of the Institute are always connected with pomology, breeding and cultivation improvement of fruit and berry crops. One of the largest in Russia gene pool of apple, pear, stone fruit, berry and ornamental crops has been established and is being studied at the Institute. The results of winter hardiness study of 72 red currant cultivars from the VNIISPK collection are given in this paper. 17 cultivars (23.6 %) showed high resistance of generative buds after the severe winter in 2006 (-39.3 ºC). The main part of the studied cultivars (47.2 %) showed injures of flower buds up to 2.0 points. In 18 cultivars (25.0 %) the generative organs were significantly frozen. As a result of the artificial freezing the cultivars were singled out in which the flowers were resistant to temperature stresses -4…-5 ºC, - Ustina, Ogoniok, Valentinovka, Podarok Leta and Gazel‟. Jonker van Tets showed the highest resistance to frosts. These cultivars are recommended for use in breeding for resistance to spring frosts.