BLACK CURRANTS GROWN IN SIMULATED CLIMATES IN GROWTH CHAMBERS

Container grown bushes of black currant (cvs Ben Sarek and Ojebyn) were placed in climate chambers from just after flowering until late autumn 1991. Three climates were simulated: A. Stockholm climate (at about 60°N), B. Modified Stockholm climate with a temperature 2°C higher than normal (a possible greenhouse effect), and C. Frankfurt climate (at about 50°N).

Total shoot growth during the 1991 growing season was most vigorous in treatment A and rather weak in treatment C. Fruit yield was highest in treatment C and lowest in treatment B. Number of flower clusters per bush was recorded in the spring 1992, and treatment C gave only 42% of the cluster number in treatment A. The cluster number in treatment B was intermediate.

Fruit set and yield were low due to poor conditions during flowering.
The yield was sufficient, however, to allow an evaluation of fruit quality properties.
Vitamin C content was significantly higher in treatments A and B than in treatment C. Titratable acids content was highest in treatment B and lowest in treatment A. For fruit juice colour, the two cvs responded somewhat differently to the different climates, and Ojebyn had a poorer colour quality when grow in the 50°N climate.

VI International Symposium on Rubus and Ribes

G. Redalen

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1993.352.30