Yield and content of biologically active substances in blue honeysuckle fruit (Lonicera caerulea L.) grown in the Forest Steppe of Ukraine

L. Shevchuk¹²*, Y. Tereshchenko², Y. Vintskovska², L. Levchuk², S. Babenko² and R. Hrynyk²

¹National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Agrobiological Faculty, 15 Heroes of Defense Str., UA03041 Kyiv, Ukraine
²Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, 23 Sadova Str., UA03027 Kyiv, Ukraine
*Correspondence: zberig@ukr.net

Abstract:

The blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) is a relatively new crop in Ukraine, its industrial cultivation is only 100 hectares. The main constraints are the lack of varieties with high yield and nutritional value of berries. Therefore, a study of the yield and quality of introduced varieties is necessary and relevant, both for producers and breeders. With our research, we determined the potential of the early stage of blue honeysuckle berries under the conditions of their cultivation in the Forest Steppe of Ukraine and the weather conditions of the year of the specified region. We assessed how early we can get a crop and set what quality and what it will be. To clearly understand the quality of the grown fruits, their average weight, size and uniformity were studied. From nutritional indicators of fruit quality, the content of dry matter, soluble solids, sugars and titrated acids was studied, from biologically active substances, the content of vitamin C and total phenolic was determined. It was found that in the zone of the Forest Steppe of Ukraine from the studied group of varieties, the highest yield potential, 3.13 kg from a bush for the second year of fruiting and fruit mass 2.4 g, had a variety of Canadian breeding ‘Boreal Beauty’. The fruits of the cultivars ‘Duet’ (4.3) and ‘Boreal Blizzard’ (4.5) were distinguished by the balance of taste according to the sugar-acid index, and the maximum amount of total phenolics for the studied group of varieties was accumulated by the fruits of ‘Boreal Beast’ (1,000 mg 100 g^-1).

Key words:

fruit size, Lonicera caerulea L., mass, sugars, total phenolic content, vitamin C

Suitability of blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) cultivars of different origin for cultivation in the Nordic-Baltic climate

M. Vinogradov¹,*, R. Rätsep¹,² and L. Arus¹

¹Polli Horticultural Research Centre, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Uus 2, EE69108 Viljandi county, Estonia
²Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Chair of Food Science and Technology, Kreutzwaldi 1, EE51006 Tartu, Estonia

Abstract:

The rising trend of blue honeysuckle has led to the increase in new plantations and berry production in recent years in Nordic-Baltic region, including Estonia. This crop is naturally distributed in the temperate climate zone of Northern Hemisphere. Estonia is also located in the same climate zone, but differs only from warm maritime air. The main aim of this research was to find out cultivars’ adaptation to the changing weather conditions regarding winter hardiness, fruit weight, yield and occurrence of secondary flowering. The data was recorded from two closely situated plantations in Polli village, Viljandi County, Estonia. Eighteen cultivars of blue honeysuckle with different origin (Russia, Canada, Poland and Czech Republic) were tested. In 2016, greater winter damage was recorded when compared to the period of 2017–2020 with just marginal damage. In conclusion, the Canadian cultivars (‘Borealis’, ‘Indigo Gem’, ‘Indigo Treat’ and ‘Tundra’) and Polish ‘Duet’, presented their best properties and suitability to Estonian climatic conditions.

Key words: