36 mixes, canned fruit mixes, extracts, food supplements, etc. The black chokeberry is very high in anthocyanins (red, blue and purple pigments) and it represents an excellent source of natural colorant. Also, it is a good potential source of pectin. Aside from being nutritionally interesting, the black chokeberry is a beautiful ornamental, displaying a multitude of delicate, creamy-white flowers during springtime and intensely coloured leaves in the fall. Different cultivars have been developed: some aimed at increasing the size of the berries (i.e. Nero, Viking), others concentrating on the productivity of the plant (i.e. Aron) and a third category emphasizing the ornamental aspect (i.e. Viking). Conditions for growth Aronia melanocarpa is extremely resistant to low temperatures, so much so that it can be grown even in the cold climate of Siberia. It tolerates temperatures as low as -20°C during wintertime. However, it can neither withstand very high temperatures, nor droughts. For best yields, it needs about 400 mm of rain/year. Propagation is done either by seed or cuttings. In the case of seed propagation, it is recommendable to keep the seedlings in a greenhouse during the first winter and transplant them outside in spring. For good germination, farmers should make sure that seeds are properly cleaned of any pulp remainders before planting them. It thrives on acidic, moist soils and prefers light and sunny places The harvest period is the fall, starting in September. Good yields may reach 17 kg/bush or even more. The productivity increases very fast during the first few years from planting: in the first fruiting year, it may give about 1 kg fruit/plant while in the second year it will give up to 7 kg/plant. Aronia melanocarpa is very resistant to pests but it is susceptible to mildew, bacterial blights and a beetle called Saperda candida (round headed apple tree borer). Selected sources of planting material Perryhill Nurseries Ltd. Edenbridge Road Hartfield East Sussex, TN7 4JP United Kingdom Tel. +44 189 277 03 77 E-mail: sales@perryhillnurseries.co.uk Burncoose Nurseries Gwennap, Redruth, Cornwall TR16 6BJ United Kingdom Pagina 45
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