Vegetative Growth, Productivity, Berry Quality Attributes and Leaf Macronutrients Content of Currants as Affected by Species and Cultivars

Bush vigor, berry physical traits and chemical composition, seasonal changes of leaf macronutrients content and leaf mineral status at mid-summer (120 DAFB, Days After Full Bloom) were evaluated in black, red and white currants and their cultivars which are grown on heavy soil, and with reduced cultural practices, except pruning, fertilization with cattle manure and weed control with herbicide, under western Serbian conditions. Results indicated that black currant had lower bush size, yield, bunch weight and number of berries per bunch, but had significantly higher berry weight as compared to red and white currants. Red and white currants had similar bush size, yield and bunch weight. Berries of black currant contained much higher levels of soluble solids content, acidity, vitamin C, total phenolics and flavonoids content than both red and white currants, whereas ripening index was similar. Leaf of black currants had lower macronutrients content, except leaf Mg, as compared with others. Very high excesses of all leaf macronutrients content, except in some cases for leaf N and Mg, were observed in currants in mid summer, i. e. at 120 DAFB. Black currant showed the best balanced nutritional values, whereas red currant showed a wider imbalance in nutritional values. Beside currant species, strong effect of cultivar per se was found on the most of evaluated features. Generally, black currant cv. 'Eva', red currant cv. 'Slovakia', somewhat 'Detvan', and white currant cv. 'Primus' had higher bush size, better berry physico-chemical attributes and higher leaf macronutrients content than others. Finally, 'Eva', 'Tatran' and 'Meridian' showed the best balanced nutritional values at 120 DAFB.