THE VARIATION OF SHAPE, SIZE AND MASS OF THE FRUITS OF VARIETAL LARGE CRANBERRY (OXYCOCCUS MACROCARPOS (AIT.) PURSH)

Abstract

The study of morphological traits of the varieties of large cranberry allows to establish clear specifications for their identification. Observations of the 43 varieties from the collection of Gantsevichi experimental base allow to conclude that they differ in shape, size and mass of the berries. 6 shapes of the berry can be clearly distinguished: globular, globoid, ellipsoidal, oblongellipsoidal, obovoid and bell-shaped. Different variations of the ellipsoidal shape among the studied varieties are encountered the most often. Globoid shape of the berry is characteristic for 7 of the 43 varieties available in the collection, ellipsoidal – for 15, oblong-ellipsoidal – for 9. The differences between these shapes are determined both visually and by correlation between the height and diameter of the berry (1.11–1.13, 1.13–1.17 and 1.20–1.31, accordingly). 7 other varieties have globular shape of the berry (height to diameter ratio of the berry is equal or very close to 1: 0.95–1.05), 4 varieties – obovoid (the base of the berry is narrower and sharper) and 1 variety – bell-shaped. The varieties with a similar shape of the berry differ in size and mass of the fruits.