EFFECTIVENESS OF SEVERAL POLLINATION METHODS ON FRUIT SET IN SELECTED BLACK CURRANT (Ribes nigrum L.) CULTIVARS

In experiments which were carried out in Central Poland in the years of 1993 and 1994, we investigated the extent of self-fertility of 6 black currant cultivars (Fertodi-1, Triton, Ben Nevis, Ben Lomond, Ojebyn and Titania) recently grown commonly in Poland.
We attempted to determine whether the cultivars investigated could be recommended for big mono-varietal plantations.
The influence of four pollination methods were studied; open pollination, open pollination + additional air movement, manual-self-pollination made with a paint brush (in isolator) and natural self-pollination (in isolators) on the effectiveness of fruit set (in %), average fruit weight (in g) and the number of seeds in one fruit.

Regardless of pollination methods, all cultivars showed higher fruit set in the first year of investigation (1993) than in the second year (1994). On average (except for Triton), the highest fruit set was achieved for the manual-self-pollination made with a paint brush.
Good fruit set was also noted for the second pollination method, i.e. open pollination + additional air movement during bloom.
The results indicate that all investigated cultivars are highly fertile.
They can be grown on big mono-varietal plantations without great fear that their productivity could be reduced due to a lack of cross-pollination.
As mentioned, fruit set was increased with additional air blast made twice during flowering.
This treatment was more efficient for fruit set than the regular open pollination.
It leads to the conclusion that the cultivars studied are both self-fertile and self-pollinated.

The influence of pollination methods on the average fruit weight and number of seeds per berry followed the same trend.

VII International Symposium on Rubus and Ribes

E. Zurawicz, S. Pluta, W. Madry

black currant, Ribes nigrum L., cultivar, pollination, yield,

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.505.22