Currant Nika

Early maturing variety, developed at the Siberian Institute of Horticulture named after M.A. Lisavenko by crossing the varieties Seyanets Golubki and Lepaan Musta. Authors: Z.S. Zotova, I.P. Kalinina, N.I. Nazaryuk, M.A. Pershina, I.L. Teslya. Included in the State Register of Varieties Approved for Use in the West Siberian Region in 2001.

Medium-height, medium-spreading bush. Moderate crown density. Growing shoots are medium-thick, straight, green, without pubescence; woody shoots are dark-brown. Buds are medium-sized, pointed, elongated, purplish-brown, without pubescence, pressed, solitary, terminal — free.

Leaf five-lobed, medium and small, light green, glossy, without pubescence, smooth, leathery, blade slightly concave. Fasciated leaves occur. Leaf apexes are sharp, central lobe elongated. Grooves between lobes are deep. Side lobes are sharp, directed sideways, asymmetric, angle between their midribs obtuse. Basal lobes are poorly expressed, their veins directed toward the petiole. Leaf base has an open indentation from the middle depth. Teeth are sharp, with clearly defined "tips". Petiole is medium-length and thickness, pubescent, green, slightly colored at edges, positioned at 45° angle to the shoot.

Flowers medium-sized, cup-shaped, sepals light pink, not closed, strongly reflexed. Stigma level with anthers. Inflorescences short (up to 4.0 cm), very dense, axis thick, green.

Berries very large (2.1–4.2 g), round, black, with moderate seed content, medium-firm skin, simultaneous ripening, dry detachment, good transportability. Berry stem short, green, calyx closed, small. Flavor tart-sweet, with aroma. Berries are versatile. Chemical composition: dry matter — 11.2–15.2%, total sugars — 6.6–10.4%, titratable acidity — 0.7–2.9%, ascorbic acid — 185.9 mg/100 g, pectin substances (on fresh weight) — 0.5–2.1%.

Cold-hardy, drought-resistant, self-fertile, early-bearing, high-yielding, average yield 8.6 t/ha (2.6 kg/plant), maximum — 15.0 t/ha, highly resistant to powdery mildew (0 points) and anthracnose (1.0 point), susceptible to septoria up to 3.0 points, gall aphid and bud mite up to 2.0 points.

Advantages of the variety: self-fertility, early bearing, high yield, large berry size, good berry flavor, high resistance to powdery mildew.

Disadvantages of the variety: insufficient resistance to septoria and bud mite.