SODRUSHESTVO

The Blue honeysuckle variety "Sodrushestvo" is the result of joint selection work by the Bakhchar OPSS and the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry. The bushes are tall, reaching up to 1.7 m, slightly spreading with a crown of medium density. Shoots are thick, curved, green in color with drooping tips and an anthocyanin tint, without pubescence. The foliage is large, elongated-oval, matte, with a rounded base and an obtuse-acute apex.

The fruits of this variety are characterized by a large size (1.3–1.7 g) and a length of up to 3 cm. They have a bumpy surface, blueish-blue coloration, and an acute apex. The skin is thick, dry detachment, which facilitates harvesting, although it sometimes complicates berry removal. The flesh is tender, melting, with a sweet-and-sour taste and a light citrus bitterness; it contains up to 9.4% sugars, up to 1.8% acids, and about 53 mg of vitamin C.

"Sodrushestvo" ripens early, has medium yield (5.5–8.4 t/h) with a planting scheme of 3 × 1 m. The variety is self-incompatible and can be pollinated by simultaneously flowering blue honeysuckle varieties, although in some regions the presence of a pollinator variety is recommended for optimal fruiting. It is resistant to diseases and pests, possesses high winter hardiness, and medium drought resistance, which makes it suitable for cultivation in the Northwestern, Central, and Western Siberian regions of Russia.