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

• Main Authors: Vinogradov, Mailis, Rätsep, Reelika, Arus, Liina
• Other Authors: Polli Horticultural Research Centre. Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences. Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. Chair of Food Science and Technology
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: edible honeysuckle; fruit weight; production; secondary flowering; winter hardiness; articles; Lonicera caerulea L; Canada; Tundra
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10492/6260; https://doi.org/10.15159/ar.20.228

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.