Commercial and Consumer Indicators of Quality and Economically Valuable Signs of Introduced Cherry Varieties of Different Maturation Dates Cultivated in Foothill Fruit Zone of Dagestan

Abstract

Comparative assessment of yield, commercial-consumer and tasting parameters of fruit quality of more than 20 introduced cherry varieties of different maturation periods grown in agro-ecological conditions of Dagestan foothills is presented. The most promising varieties, characterized by high yield, the best commercial and consumer and organoleptic properties, were revealed. Studies of quality indicators were carried out using generally accepted methods. It was determined that the mass of the fruit in the studied varieties averaged 6.4 g, and the maximum was 8.3 g (variety Krupnoplodnaya). In the group of middle-aged, with a fruit weight of 6.1-9.5 g, varieties of cherries of early ripening are assigned - Kosmicheskaya (6.6 g) and Valery Chkalov (7.0 g) and all studied varieties of cherries of early-middle and middle ripening, with the exception of varieties Melitopol'skaya rozovaya (5.3 g) and Melitopol'skaya rannyaya (5.4 g). All studied cherry varieties belong to the group of varieties with average sugar accumulation (8.89-11.85%) and acidity (0.65-0.89%). The highest tasting score (5 points) received the fruits of cherry varieties Kosmicheskaya, Valery Chkalov, Krupnoplodnaya, Melitopol'skaya chernaya, Vinka and Romantika, which during the research (2019-2021) showed a good ability to form a crop. A comprehensive assessment of the investigated introduced cherry varieties grown in the foothills of Dagestan showed that the most promising, characterized by high yields, the best commercial and consumer and tasting properties are the Kosmicheskaya, Valery Chkalov, Krupnoplodnaya, Melitopol'skaya chernaya, Vinka and Romantika varieties. These varieties may be recommended for further successful use in production and selection work in order to optimize the industrial variety of cherries