Currant Konstantinovskaya (Memory of Smolyaninova)

Medium-early maturing variety, obtained at VSTISP through interspecific crosses (parental forms unknown). Breeders: N.K. Smolyaninova, V.M. Litvinova. Since 1995, included in the State Register of Selection Achievements approved for use in the Central region.

Medium-height, weakly spreading, dense bush. Non-hardwood shoots of medium thickness, straight, light green with purple tips, without hairs. Hardwood shoots of medium thickness, gray-brown, straight.

Single buds, medium size, egg-shaped with pointed apex, gray-brown, without hairs, pressed against the shoot. Apical bud non-free. Leaf scars arcuate.

Leaf five-lobed, medium size, light green, round, heavily hairy underneath, medium-creased, leathery. Leaf blade nearly flat, slightly folded along the midrib. Leaf margin teeth medium, blunt, short, with barely noticeable 'tips'. Central lobe long, sharp; lateral lobes broad, short; basal lobes poorly developed. Leaf base with a medium notch. Petiole medium length and thickness, without hairs, green.

Flowers medium size, cup-shaped, green calyx tube. Sepals yellow-green, reflexed, almost non-touching. Inflorescences medium (8-9 cm with petiole), dense. Axis medium thickness, without hairs, petiole medium. Pedicel medium length, green, without hairs.

Berries large (average weight 0.7 g, maximum 1.1 g), round, slightly flattened at poles, red, glossy, seeds translucent, dry detachment. Seeds small, average quantity. Berry flavor sour-sweet, refreshing, rating 4.0 points. Berries of universal use. Calyx medium size, does not drop, closed. Chemical composition: total sugars — 5.8%, titratable acidity — 3.8%, ascorbic acid — 42.0 mg/100 g.

Self-fertile, yield 16.4 t/ha (4.0 kg/plant), winter-hardy, exhibits high field resistance to pests and disease-causing agents.

Advantages of the variety: high yield, large berry size.

Disadvantages of the variety: in some years severely affected by anthracnose.