EXPERIENCE OF LARGE-FRUIT CRANBERRY (VACCINIUM MACROCARPON AIT.) INTRODUCTION WHEN CULTIVATED IN THE MOSCOW REGION

The aim of research is to study the introduction potential of V. macrocarpon varieties of Russian and foreign selection in Moscow. Introduction studies of large-fruited cranberry plants were carried out in 2022–2024 in the conditions of the R.I. Schroeder Arboretum and the V.I. Edelstein Scientific and Practical Center for Horticulture and Vegetable Growing of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. The objects of the study are V. macrocarpon varieties of American (Ben Lear) and Russian (Volzhanka, Meryanka) selection. The number of plants of each variety is 30 pcs. Planting of one-year-old seedlings of V. macrocarpon was carried out in 2022 (Ben Lear variety) and 2023 (Volzhanka, Meryanka varieties) in trenches filled with high-moor peat (pH – 2.8–3.1) according to the 1.0 × 2.0 m scheme. Phenological observations and assessment of plant winter hardiness were carried out using generally accepted methods. It was established that there were no significant differences in the timing of the onset of individual phenological phases between the studied early-ripening large-fruited cranberry varieties of Russian selection (Volzhanka, Meryanka) and the early-ripening American variety Ben Lear. The flowering period of all studied V. macrocarpon varieties in 2024 was 27–30 days, and the fruit ripening period was 25 days. The survival rate of plants of all studied V. macrocarpon varieties after overwintering was 100 %. Based on the results of the assessment of V. macrocarpon winter hardiness for the winter period of 2023–2024, the studied varieties can be classified as suitable for cultivation in the Moscow Region and, according to this indicator, can be used as sources and donors of economically valuable traits.