Black Currant (Ribes nigrum) SELEČENSKAJA

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) 'Selechenskaja'

An early Russian variety with very large fruits and an excellent sweet flavour.

'Selechenskaja' (Селеченская) is a popular Russian blackcurrant variety, known primarily for its very large fruits, which can reach a weight of up to 5 grams, and its excellent sweet flavour with an almost perfect rating (4.9/5). It is an early variety with a good yield and high frost resistance. Its main advantage is its resistance to powdery mildew; however, to achieve maximum fruit quality, it is demanding in terms of soil fertility and regular fertilization.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Very large fruits (2.2 – 5.0 g).
• Excellent sweet flavour (rating 4.9/5).
• Good yield and high frost resistance.
• Resistance to powdery mildew.
• Early and simultaneous fruit ripening.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Russia
• Breeder: A. I. Astakhov
• Institution: All-Russian Research Institute of Lupin (VNIIL)
• Crossing: ‘Seyanets Golubki’ × line 32-77 (‘Bradthorpe’)
• Registration: Included in the State Register of the Russian Federation in 1993.

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Medium-tall (up to 150 cm), slightly spreading, dense.
• Shoots: Woody shoots are thick, curved, and beige-grey. Young shoots are green with anthocyanin colouration.
• Leaves: Medium-sized, five-lobed, green, matte, leathery, and wrinkled.
• Flowers: Medium-sized, pale in colour.

Fruit (Berry)

• Size and weight: Very large, with a weight of 2.2 – 5.0 g.
• Shape and colour: Round, black.
• Skin: Medium-thick.
• Flavour: Sweet, with a very high rating (4.9/5).
• Strigs: Medium length, with 8–12 berries.
• Use: Versatile.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: High.
• Disease resistance: Resistant to powdery mildew, medium resistance to anthracnose.
• Pest resistance: Medium resistance to the currant gall mite.
• Drought resistance: Medium.
• Requirements: High. Requires very fertile soil and regular fertilization.

Cultivation Recommendations

• To maintain fruit size, it is essential to provide very fertile soil and a regular supply of nutrients.
• In cold and wet years, it is advisable to take preventive measures against anthracnose.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Early (early July).
• Harvest characteristics: Ripening is simultaneous. Fruits do not drop and have a dry scar.
• Yield: Good, averaging 1.5 kg per bush (maximum 2.8 kg).