Preliminary Results Regarding the Behaviour of Two Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa Michx.) Cultivars in Environmental Conditions of Northern Transylvania

Abstract

The paper presents preliminary results of the behaviour of two Aronia cultivars grown conventionally and organically. Aronia melanocarpa Michx. Elliott is a versatile, deciduous ultistems shrub, which belongs to Rosaceae family. It is considered a rustic shrub due to its high capacity to adapt to different geographic areas, climatic conditions (temperature, rainfall, humidity) and various soil types. It originates from North America and Canada, chokeberry fruits have the highest antioxidant, polyphenols, anthocyans and vitamins content among many shrub species. ‘Nero’ and ‘Melrom’ chokeberry cultivars, found favourable environmental conditions for growth and fruit production in Northern Transylvania, with an average bush volume between 0.46m³- 0.84m³ and yield between 1.018t/ha- 1.674t/ha, in the first 3 years after planting.