Currant Ravkin's Blackcurrant

Mid-early maturing variety, developed at VSTISP by crossing the varieties 'Naslednitsa' and 'Bredtorp'. Author: A.S. Ravkin. Included in the State Register of Varieties Approved for Use in the Central Region in 1999.

Strong-growing, slightly spreading, dense bush. Growing shoots of medium thickness, straight, green with brown-red tips, shiny, lignified shoots of medium thickness, gray-brown. Buds of medium size, elongated, pointed, pinkish-brown, without hairs, pressed against the shoot, solitary, terminal — free. Leaf scar shape is round.

Leaf five-lobed, medium size, green, matte, wrinkled, convex, leaf margin wavy, curled downward. Central lobe longer than lateral ones, pointed, without additional projections. Lateral lobes short and wide, angle between their veins straight. Basal lobes poorly developed. Base with a small heart-shaped notch. Teeth blunt, short, without distinct 'tip', petiole of medium length, green, without hairs.

Flowers medium-sized, cup-shaped, sepals pale-yellow, reflexed, free. Inflorescence medium (6-7 cm), medium density, axis of medium thickness, without hairs, pedicel of medium length, green, without hairs.

Berries large (average weight 1.5 g, maximum 2.2 g), round, black, with medium number of small seeds, dry detachment, tart-sweet taste (4.0 points), versatile use. Receptacle small, closed. Chemical composition: total sugars — 9.5%, titratable acidity — 2.8%, ascorbic acid — 221.0 mg/100 g.

Cold-hardy, self-fertile, highly resistant to pests and diseases, average yield 11.4 t/ha (3.2 kg/plant).

Advantages of the variety: large berries, dessert flavor, high resistance to bud mite.

Disadvantages of the variety: requires care (annual fertilization).