Black Currant (Ribes nigrum) CHERESHNEVAYA

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) 'Chereshnevaya'

A large-fruited Ukrainian variety with comprehensive disease resistance.

'Chereshnevaya' (Черешнёвая) is a Ukrainian blackcurrant variety that stands out for its combination of exceptionally large fruits and comprehensive, high resistance to major diseases and pests. The bush has a vigorous, upright growth and produces high yields of uniform berries that can reach a weight of up to 4.5 g. Thanks to its firm skin, simultaneous ripening, and attractive appearance, it is considered one of the best varieties for fresh market sales.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Very large and uniform fruits (average 1.9 – 2.2 g, maximum up to 4.5 g).
• Excellent resistance to powdery mildew, anthracnose, septoria leaf spot, and the currant gall mite.
• High and stable yield.
• High frost resistance.
• Fruits do not drop and are suitable for mechanical harvesting.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Ukraine
• Breeders: K. N. Kopan, V. P. Kopan (1975)
• Institution: Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (UAAS)
• Crossing: A complex interspecific cross (including ‘Belorusskaya Sladkaya’ and Ribes hudsonianum).
• Registration: In the Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine since 1999.

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Vigorous, upright, grows to a height of 100–150 cm.
• Shoots: Thick and straight.
• Leaves: Very large, five-lobed, wrinkled, light green at the shoot tips.

Fruit (Berry)

• Size and weight: Large and uniform, average weight 1.9 – 2.2 g, maximum up to 3.5 – 4.5 g.
• Shape and colour: Round, black, glossy.
• Skin: Thicker, elastic, and firm.
• Flavour: Pleasant, tart-sweet (rating 4.25 – 4.5/5). The aroma is subtle, not typically "currant-like".
• Strigs: Long, with 10–15 loosely arranged berries.
• Use: Versatile – ideal for fresh consumption, freezing, and processing.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: High.
• Disease resistance: High and comprehensive (powdery mildew, anthracnose, septoria). Slightly susceptible to rust at the end of the season.
• Pest resistance: High (currant gall mite).
• Drought resistance: Lower.

Cultivation Recommendations

• To ensure maximum yield, it is advisable to plant another currant variety nearby to aid pollination.
• It requires adequate watering during dry periods due to its lower drought resistance.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Mid-late (from July 10th).
• Harvest characteristics: Ripening is simultaneous. Fruits do not drop, hold well on the bush, and have a dry scar.
• Yield: High, 3–4 kg per bush (maximum 5 kg).
• Self-fertility: Medium.