Black Currant (Ribes nigrum) MINAI SHMYREV

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) 'Minai Shmyrev'

An extremely frost-hardy Belarusian variety intended for the harshest conditions.

'Minai Shmyrev' (Минай Шмырёв) is a classic Belarusian variety, specially bred for cultivation in extremely harsh climatic conditions. Its greatest asset is its extraordinary frost hardiness, which allows it to survive temperatures as low as -40 °C. In addition, it produces high yields and is highly self-fertile. Its main and very significant disadvantage is a very high susceptibility to American powdery mildew, which requires consistent protection.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Extreme frost hardiness: Withstands frosts down to -40 °C.
• High and reliable yield.
• High self-fertility.
• Good, pleasant sweet-tart fruit flavour.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Belarus
• Breeder: A. G. Voluznev
• Institution: Institute for Fruit Growing of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
• Crossing: A complex cross of European varieties, the Siberian subspecies, and the ‘Golubka’ variety.
• Registration: Included in the State Register of the Russian Federation since 1979.

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Medium-vigorous, large, moderately spreading.
• Shoots: Thick; young shoots are green with anthocyanin colouration, woody shoots are greyish-brown and glossy.
• Leaves: Large or medium-sized, dark green, matte, leathery.
• Flowers: Medium-sized, reddish.

Fruit (Berry)

• Size and weight: Medium-sized, with an average weight of 0.9 g.
• Shape and colour: Oval-round, black, matte.
• Skin: Thin.
• Flavour: Pleasant, sweet-tart (rating 4.3/5). The flesh is juicy.
• Strigs: Medium length, winding.
• Use: Versatile.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: High (down to -40 °C).
• Disease resistance: Very susceptible to American powdery mildew. Relatively good resistance to anthracnose.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Due to its very high susceptibility to American powdery mildew, regular and consistent preventive protection is essential. Without it, successful cultivation of this variety is nearly impossible.
• It is an ideal choice for regions with very severe winter frosts where other, more sensitive varieties fail.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Mid-early.
• Harvest characteristics: Dry scar.
• Yield: High (8.3 t/ha).
• Self-fertility: High.