Breeding and variety evaluation of blackcurrant in Hungary

Hungary is situated on the southern border of the ecologically optimum zone for blackcurrant. Varieties of northern origin introduced into Hungrey sho w good fertility and powdery mildew tolerance, but are not suitable for mac hine harvesting because of reduced vigour and low yield. The only exception is 'Titania', from Sweden, which became the main variety in Hungarian blac kcurrant plantations in the eighties. The results of variety evaluation sho w that varieties originating from sites with similar conditions (Bojnice, S lovakia) are better suited for blackcurrant cultivation in Hungary than the others. 'Otelo', which originated from this breeding programme is the most valuable, having erect growth habit, high resistance to mildew and good fr uit quality. Hungary has had an active black currant breeding program in Fertod Experime ntal Station of the Horticultural Research since 1965. 'Fertodi 1' has been particularly successful and now accounts for 40 % of the blackcurrant plan tings. Two promising cultivars 'F 11' (Aranka) and 'F 41' (Dyana) were intr oduced from this breeding programme last year. An amphiploid interspecific hybrid obtained by crossing blackcurrant and gooseberry was registered unde r the name 'Riko' in 1994.