Currant Katyusha

Medium-ripening variety, obtained at the Institute of Fruit Growing of the NAS of Belarus by crossing the varieties Paulinka and Pilot Alexander Mamkin. Authors: A.G. Voluznev, N.A. Zazulina, G.P. Rainchikova. Since 1998, included in the State Register of Selection Achievements approved for use in the North Caucasus, Middle Volga, and Ural regions of the Russian Federation.

Bush is vigorous, slightly spreading, with medium branching. Growing shoots are of medium thickness, green and glossy; woody shoots are gray-brown, glossy, glabrous, with long internodes. Buds are medium-sized, rose-violet, spindle-shaped with a sharp apex, arranged parallel to the shoots; terminal bud is either non-free or free, large, cylindrical, adjacent buds are very small.

Leaf is five-lobed, medium or large size, light green with yellowing, glossy, acute, weakly fringed, finely wrinkled, blade positioned horizontally. Leaf margin is wavy. Deep, acute notches between lobes. Middle lobe is acute, similar in length to lateral lobes. Lateral lobes are acute, elongated, angle between their veins is acute; upper sides of lateral lobes are raised upward, positioned at an angle to the central vein; lower sides are nearly vertical. Basal lobes are well-defined, their veins spread outward or droop downward, directed toward the leaf apex. Notch at leaf base is very small, broad, base nearly straight. Teeth are small, acute, saw-toothed. Petiole is colored, glabrous.

Flowers are medium-sized, bright red. Pistil is below or at the level of stamens. Inflorescences are long, medium density, hanging.

Berries are large (1.4 g), black, glossy, elongated-oval in shape, with very firm skin, small seeds in small quantity. Peduncle is medium length. Taste is tart-sweet, aromatic, pleasant, flesh juicy, taste rating — 4.9 points. Berries are of universal use. Chemical composition: soluble dry matter — 15.0%, total sugars — 7.8%, titratable acidity — 2.1%, ascorbic acid — 191.4 mg/100 g, pectin substances (on fresh weight) — 1.4%.

Variety is winter-hardy, high-yielding (11.0 t/ha), characterized by high self-fertility, no berry drop, moderately affected by American powdery mildew and leaf spot diseases.

Advantages of the variety: high yield, taste qualities.

Disadvantages of the variety: susceptible to fungal diseases.