Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) SVITA KIJEVSKAJA

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) 'Svita Kijevskaja'

A Ukrainian commercial variety with high and stable productivity.

'Svita Kyivs'ka' is a Ukrainian commercial blackcurrant variety, prized for its high and stable productivity, self-fertility, and low maintenance. The bush has medium vigor with a moderately spreading habit, suitable for mechanical harvesting. The berries are large, black, with firm skin and sweet-tart, aromatic flesh. They ripen uniformly. The variety is resistant to powdery mildew and rust but is moderately susceptible to anthracnose.

Main advantages of the variety:

• High and stable productivity: Delivers an abundant and reliable harvest.
• Self-fertile: Ensures a good crop even without another variety nearby.
• Suitable for mechanical harvesting: Upright growth and uniform ripening.
• Resistant to powdery mildew and rust.
• Large and firm berries.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Ukraine
• Institution: Institute of Horticulture of UAAN
• Breeders: K.N. Kopan and V.P. Kopan
• Cross: Created in 1974 by crossing the hybrid form A-1-14 with the ‘Minaj Šmyrjov’ variety.

Variety Characteristics

Bush

Growth is medium-strong, reaching a height of 1.4–1.7 meters. The habit is moderately spreading, suitable for mechanical harvesting. The shoots are flexible with shortened internodes. It is self-fertile.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Quite large and uniform, with an average weight of 1.7–2.0 grams; larger berries can reach 3.2–3.5 g.
• Shape: Round-oval.
• Color and skin: Black, glossy. The skin is elastic, firm, with a dry separation from the stem.
• Flesh: Greenish-brown.
• Taste: Sweet-tart, slightly aromatic.
• Clusters: Medium-long, dense, with 2–3 clusters per node.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost hardiness: Good, withstands frosts down to -30 °C.
• Disease resistance: Resistant to powdery mildew and rust, moderately susceptible to anthracnose.
• Drought resistance: Relatively resistant.

Growing Recommendations

• Use: Universal – suitable for fresh consumption, freezing, and various forms of technical processing (juices, jams, marmalades, wine).

Harvest and Storage

• Ripening time: Mid-early; ripening is uniform.
• Productivity: High and stable, with an average yield of 4.3–8 kg per bush.