Currant Leader

Medium-maturing variety, obtained at Novosibirsk ZPЯOS by selection among hybrid seedlings of the 'Versailles Red' variety. Breeders: V.N. Sorokopudov, A.E. Solovyeva. Under state variety testing since 2002.

Medium-height, slightly spreading bush. Stems light-brown with peeling bark.

Leaves medium-sized, yellowish-green. Leaf blade slightly hairy, shiny, leathery, wrinkled. Teeth short and blunt. Leaf base almost straight with a small notch. Lobes with small notches and blunt tips. Petiole medium-length, thick, green.

Flowers medium-sized, pale in color, sepals pale and curved upward. Inflorescences long (up to 13.0 cm), axis straight, medium thickness.

Berries medium-sized (0.6–0.9 g), round, red. Sweet, tender flavor, rating 4.7 points. Berry stalk medium-length. Calyx closed. Chemical composition: total sugars — 8.0%, titratable acidity — 1.5%, ascorbic acid — 37.0 mg/100 g.

Average yield 8.8 t/ha (2.7 kg/plant), maximum — 11.6 t/ha (3.5 kg/plant at 3 x 1 m spacing). High drought, heat, and winter hardiness. Affected by anthracnose up to 2.0 points, septoria up to 1.5 points.

Advantages of the variety: high drought and heat resistance, good berry flavor.

Disadvantages of the variety: moderately affected by anthracnose.