The productivity potential of black cherry varieties when growing in the arid zone

FSBSI “Caspian Agrarian Federal Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 416251 Astrakhan, Russia

^* Corresponding author: Pniiaz@mail.ru

Abstract

For the first time in the conditions of the arid climate of the Astrakhan region, the primary study of black cherry varieties of different maturation periods was carried out. The experience started in 2003 in the experimental fruit garden of the Caspian Agrarian Federal Scientific Center. The objective of the research is to assess the productivity potential of black cherry varieties based on a long-term study of their yield and to determine the most adapted one to the stress factors of the winter period. Aprelka, Salgirnaya, Negrityanka, Galochka, Mlievskaya Chernaya and Krasavitsa varieties were planted according to the scheme 6 x 4 m (416 tree/ha), rootstock – the seedlings of cherry-Rastunya. It was found that the productivity of black cherries depended on the weather conditions of the winter-spring period. In conditions of cold winters, as well as with significant temperature changes in winter and return frosts, the yield significantly decreased. The most productive varieties were Aprelka (control) and Krasavitsa, which most fully realized the potential of productivity during the entire period of operation of plantings. The average productivity over the last 5 years of commercial fruiting was 13.2–13.9 kg/tree or 5.5–5.8 t/ha. Negrityanka, Salgirnaya and Mleevskaya Chernaya varieties also had sufficiently high productivity (10.2–11.7 kg/tree) or 4.2–4.9 t/ha). The Galochka variety was characterized by high resistance of generative buds to return frosts. The obtained data indicate the possibility of successful cultivation of black cherries in the specific climatic conditions of the Astrakhan region using varieties with increased winter hardiness.