Prospects for improving sweet cherry assortment in the conditions of the Central Chernozem region

Abstract

The research was aimed at evaluating sweet cherry forms on a complex of economically valuable traits and the allocation of promising genotypes for further use in breeding and production. The forms of sweet cherries grow in Michurinsk city of Tambov region. The study of frost resistance was carried out in laboratory conditions. Annual branches were frosted for 12 hours at -32°C and -35°C. Reproductive buds in all studied forms were characterized by reversible damage (less than 3 points) at temperature regime -32°C and complete death at -35°C. 10-117 form was characterized by -35°C frost resistance in the middle of winter, in which the freezing degree of annual branches tissues and vegetative buds did not exceed 2 points. Over the years of research, elites 4/8-24, 10-115, 7-38, 10-117, 6-87, 4/9-15, 7-5 possessed resistance to moniliosis and coccomycosis (the damage degree not more than 2 points). The highest yield (9.75-9.84 t/ha) on average over three years was shown by forms 4/8-24, 7-38, 7-5. Yield at the control level was noted in forms 6-87, 4/9-15, 10-115. Elite forms 4/9-15, 7-38 were characterized by the largest mass of fruits, significantly exceeding the control variety. The average weight amounted to 7.3 and 7.2 g, and the maximum was 9.4 and 8.4 g respectively. Forms 4/8-24, 4/9-15, 7-38 combined the dessert taste of fruits (tasting assessment of 4.6-4.8 points), very juicy and dense pulp.