A Study of Red and White Currant Varieties

This study was carried out during 2002-2005 at the Small-Fruit Department in Kostinbrod. The objective of the investigation was to determine the effect of climate on shoot growth, flower cluster formation, berry drop, and yield of six red currant varieties and one white currant variety – Vierlanden rot, Jonkheer van Tets, Vesaillesy piros, Red lake, Heros, Krasnaya viksne and White Versailles. The variability of the varieties was evaluated. These varieties have been characterized as having a mid to high percentage of stable berries, those which do not drop off before harvest (60.00 % for White Versailles - 82.25 % for Krasnaya viksne). The number of basal shoots varied from 10.5 (White Versailles) to 18.7 (Krasnaya viksne) and the number of clusters, from 24.8 to 74.3. Krasnaya viksne, Jonkheer van Tets, Vierlanden rot and Red Lake formed the greatest number of clusters. Krasnaya viksne, Jonkheer van Tets and Red Lake were the most fruitful varieties in the existing climatic conditions.