Agrometeorological and Morpho-Physiological Studies of the Response of Red Currant to Abiotic Stresses

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the mechanism of climatic adaptation of red currant genotypes (Ribes rubrum L.) on the basis of physiological, biochemical and agrometeorological measurements and to determine the different phenophases of plant development identify adaptive genotypes for introduction. The studies were carried out in 2014–2017. The indicators of the water status of annual shoots (water content, water retention capacity), the biochemical composition of berries (vitamin C) and phenological observations were evaluated, taking into account meteorological data. The genotypes of R. petraeum Wulf. and R. multiflorum Kit. had the longest production period. Ambiguous data on the influence of temperature on the content of ascorbic acid in berries were revealed. High temperatures (>+26 °C) contributed to a greater accumulation of ascorbic acid in the cultivars of R. vulgare Lam. High accumulations of vitamin C in the range of +25–27 °C were found in R. petraeum Wulf. and R. multiflorum Kit.. High water content and water loss contributed to early recovery from the dormant state and reduced resistance to spring temperature changes in R. vulgare Lam. Genotypes of R. vulgare Lam., and R. multiflorum Kit. are promising for growing in a zone with a temperate continental climate. The genotypes of the species R. petraeum Wulf are suitable for introduction to the areas with a continental climate. The obtained results are important for adaptive gardening.

Keywords

• <i>Ribes rubrum</i> L.
• phenological phases
• ascorbic acid
• water status
• adaptation