Effect of the Climatic Conditions in Central Europe on the Growth and Yield of Cornelian Cherry Cultivars

Abstract

Fruit of Cornelian cherry can be used fresh or processed, and cultivation practices are developing in this direction. Due to the rarity of its cultivation, Cornelian cherry is harvested from natural sites of occurrence. However, the fruit from natural sites is of lower quality than the cultivars, as their seedlings differ in terms of fruit ripening. The objective of this experiment was the evaluation of approximately a dozen cultivars in terms of growth and fruit yield under the conditions of Central Europe. The effect of climatic conditions on the onset date of particular phenological stages was also assessed. All the analysed cultivars are suitable commodity crops, but they should be accurately selected depending on the direction of production. The first phenological stage of Cornelian cherry is the appearance of inflorescences before the development of leaves. The start of particular phenophases depends on the temperature and precipitation. Cornelian cherries cultivated under ecological conditions show satisfactory fruit size and generally a small percentage of stone. Most cultivars have an elongated fruit shape, and the shape factor decreases with their growth and ripening. The fruit grows along a double sigmoid, and its first intensive growth occurs following the extinction of intensive shoot growth.