Frost-resistant high-yielding grape hybrid “Amethyst”

Amethyst grapes are a group of hybrids Samara, Novocherkassk and Middle Early Amethyst, collected under the general name. Cultures have distinctive characteristics because they have different ancestors. They are united into one group: high yield, a small amount of soft and edible seeds, resistance to gray rot, mildew and oidium, rich dark pink or purple color of the berries.

Description and history of origin of the Amethyst grape hybrid

The name of the grape Amethyst or Amethyst is common to three hybrids from different “parents”. During breeding work, engineers managed to obtain the best qualities.

Hybrid Novocherkassk Amethyst was developed by crossing the red Vostorg and Vostorg varieties. The selection was carried out by employees of the Novocherkassk VNIIViV named after. A.I. Potapenko (Rostov region) in 2009.

Samara Amethyst obtained on the basis of Hamburg Muscat and Early Kuibyshev Muscat. Selection work was carried out by V. Paltseva, P. Merkulova, N. Kazakova at the Kuibyshev zonal experimental horticulture station. For testing in 1986.

Super early Amethyst - a new hybrid bred by crossing the Tavriya and Antey Magarachsky varieties. The authorship belongs to the object P.Ya. Golodrige. Its distinctive features have not yet been thoroughly studied, so no reliable information has been provided about it. It is only known that this is an early ripening, soft-seeded hybrid for dessert purposes.It is characterized by high resistance to mildew and oidium, gray rot and frosts down to -28 ° C.

Characteristics of hybrids

Hybrids Novocherkassk and Samara Amethyst received the characteristics of different parents, so each of them has its own characteristics. Distinctive features are presented in the table.

The hybrid Amethyst Novocherkassk is able to recover in the spring from dormant buds even after severe freezing. This feature allows it to be grown in regions with cold climates as a non-covered crop. Amethyst Samara needs preparation for winter and shelter.

The Novocherkassk hybrid is suitable for cultivation in the central, southern, northwestern regions of Russia, the Far East and Siberia. Samara and Super Early amethyst are cultivated mainly in the central part of Russia (Moscow region), in the south and in the Volga region.

Planting seedlings

Amethyst grape hybrids are planted mainly as seedlings in a sunny area with low groundwater. Soil type - clayey, sandy loam or black soil.

Seedlings are purchased from specialized nurseries and carefully examined for damage to the root system and traces of rot. The roots should be light and healthy in appearance.

Planting is carried out in the spring, seedlings are placed at a distance of 2 m from each other. In the selected area, dig a hole 80x80 cm in clay soil and chernozem, 80x80x105 cm in sandy loam.

Crushed stone or broken brick is placed at the bottom, a layer of fertile soil mixed with 500 g of azofoska, 500 g of ash and 10 liters of humus is poured on top, then a layer of clean earth, and watered abundantly. After 3 weeks, after the soil has subsided, a hole 50-55 cm deep is formed and a seedling is planted in it, the roots are straightened, covered with soil and watered abundantly.

A wooden support is dug in next to the seedling and shaded with cardboard on the south side. A week later shelter The seedling is harvested and hilled. During this time, new shoots will form.

Interesting. During archaeological excavations in Georgia, a jug with painted grapes, created about 8 thousand years ago, and wild grape seeds, which are 60 million years old, were found.

Subtleties of care

Amethyst grapes are unpretentious in care and require moderate watering, loosening the soil and removing weeds, adding nutrients and pruning. The agricultural technology is the same for the Samara and Novocherkassk hybrids.

At the initial stage of seedling development, weeding is carried out regularly, since greenery draws nutrients from the soil.

After the foliage appears, the soil around the seedlings is loosened and 10 cm of surface roots are removed to strengthen the root system. The procedure is carried out twice - in June and in August.

In June, pruning is carried out - out of 3-4 shoots, 1-2 of the strongest ones are left, the rest are removed. In the fall, 80% of the branches that appeared in the summer are removed, along with those that bear fruit, are diseased, damaged and weak.

Novocherkassk Amethyst needs pruning of the vine into 4-6 buds. The optimal load is 30-35 eyes per bush.

The frequency of watering young seedlings depends on the presence of mulch under the crown. Mulching allows you to reduce the number of waterings to once every 2 weeks and retain moisture in the soil. Without mulch, plantings are watered weekly. 10 liters of water are poured under 1 bush. Simultaneously with watering, fertilize with nitrogen and superphosphate.

In the fall, watering the Novocherkassk hybrid is stopped, and the plant is given the opportunity to independently prepare for wintering.

The situation is completely different with Amethyst of Samara. The plant needs preparation and shelter for the winter. In the fall, after harvesting, water consumption is increased to 60 liters per bush. Pruning is performed 2 weeks after leaf fall.

With the arrival of the first frosts, the plant is covered with agrofibre, dense polyethylene, spruce branches, leaving a gap for air circulation and preventing the bushes from rotting.

Adult plants are watered according to the following scheme:

• in early spring, before the buds swell;
• in May, before flowering and after the formation of ovaries;
• in July, during the formation of berries.

Young shoots are tied to a trellis until the leaves appear. To do this, use natural fabric or rope. The shoots do not overtighten. It is not recommended to use fishing line and wire. The branches on which the brushes will appear are bent down, the remaining shoots are allowed to grow vertically.

Annual seedlings are fed twice a season:

• 20 g of nitrophoska per 10 liters of water at the root at the beginning of active shoot growth;
• 20 g of superphosphate, 15 g of potassium per 10 liters of water at the root in July.

Fruiting bushes are fed three times a season:

• in the second ten days of May before the buds open - 20 g of ammonium nitrate per 10 liters of water at the root;
• during the formation of ovaries - 15 g of nitrogen, 20 g of superphosphate per 10 liters of water under the root;
• after the berries have acquired their final color - 80 g of superphosphate and 35 g of potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water at the root.

Before flowering, foliar feeding is carried out - 40 g of urea, 100 g of superphosphate, 50 g of potassium sulfate, 5 g of boric acid per 10 liters of water. The resulting solution is sprayed on the leaves in the evening or in cloudy weather.

Possible problems, diseases and pests

The clusters of Amethyst Novocherkassk grapes are prone to overload. This impairs the ripening and taste characteristics of the berries. On each fruitful shoot, 2-4 inflorescences are formed - it is recommended to leave no more than two, and remove the rest.

All three Amethyst hybrids are resistant to mildew, oidium and gray rot. However, winegrowers advise not to neglect preventive spraying, especially during periods of prolonged rain.

The treatment is carried out in early spring, and a solution of Bordeaux mixture, the drug "Ridomil" is used and the mulch is regularly updated.

If infection with fungi causing mildew and oidium cannot be avoided, copper oxychloride, Thanos, Topaz and Thiovit, Horus, Skor and a solution of colloidal sulfur are used to treat grapes.

It is worth noting that the berries do not attract wasps and hornets, so the brushes do not need shelter.

Occasionally, vineyards are affected by spider mites, aphids and grape budworms. To destroy pests, insecticides are used ("Fastak", "Aktellik", "Zolon", "Fufanon", "Fury", "Kinmiks", "Danalim", "Apolo") and biological products during the ripening period of the crop ("Lepidotsid", " Bitoxibacillin").

Advantages and disadvantages

Benefits of Amethyst grapes:

• high productivity;
• resistance to mildew, oidium and gray rot, insect attacks;
• attractive appearance of bunches;
• universal use of the crop;
• early maturation;
• pleasant taste;
• thin skin and a small number of soft seeds;
• high level of transportability;
• no tendency to pea;
• frost resistance.

Flaws:

• hybrid Samara Amethyst needs preparation and shelter for the winter;
• the hybrid Novocherkassk Amethyst requires rationing of inflorescences.

Harvesting and application

Novocherkassk Amethyst berries are able to hang on the clusters until mid-October without loss of external data. However, winegrowers advise harvesting on time and not letting it overripe. The taste of the grapes becomes dried-smoked and loses its plum notes.

Harvest dates depend on the growing region. In the south, the grapes ripen earlier and are ready for harvest in August. In regions with cold climates, the grapes are cut in September.

The brushes are placed in boxes and stored in the cellar for 3-4 months at a temperature of +2...+4 °C.

Amethyst can easily be transported over long distances and is suitable for fresh consumption, Juicing and dry guilt.

Conclusion

Samara, Novocherkassk, Sredneranny Amethyst are hybrids united by the common name Amethyst grapes. Due to its recent appearance, mid-early Amethyst has not yet been studied much. Samara and Novocherkassk are actively cultivated almost everywhere.

The crops are characterized by strong immunity and only require preventive treatment in conditions of high humidity. They begin to bear fruit early; the first harvest is harvested three years after planting. Productivity, keeping quality and transportability are high. The grapes are suitable for fresh consumption and processing into juice and dry wine.