Tiben

Black Currant

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Ben Lomond' and 'Titania'

Summary: 'Tiben' has a taller plant height and wider plant width than the reference varieties. 'Tiben' has a higher number of flowers per truss than the reference varieties. 'Tiben' ripens later than the reference varieties and has a larger fruit size. 'Tiben' has a higher fruit weight than the reference varieties. 'Tiben' is resistant to Powdery mildew while 'Ben Lomond' is susceptible. 'Tiben' is resistant to leaf spots while 'Titania' is moderately susceptible. 'Tiben' is moderately resistant to White pine blister rust while 'Ben Lomond' is susceptible and 'Titania' is resistant.

Description:

'Tiben' has a medium plant density. Time of bud burst is medium to late. The bud has strong anthocyanin colouration and no glaucosity. The young shoot has medium to strong anthocyanin and no pubescence. The young leaf is light green in colour. The leaf has medium anthocyanin and is dark green on the upper side. The leaf blade has an open base. The petiole has medium anthocyanin colouration which is evenly distributed. The petiole is thin to medium in thickness.

'Tiben' has more than two flower trusses per bud. The flower truss has absent to very weak anthocyanin colouration and the floret has medium to strong anthocyanin on the sepals. The flowers are pink in colour and medium in size. The calyx is a flattened cup shape. The ovary has absent to very weak anthocyanin colouration. The fruit of 'Tiben' ripens late and is large in size. The fruit is round in shape, black in colour and firm in texture.

'Tiben' is resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca morsuvae) and leaf spots. It is moderately resistant to White pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola). 'Tiben' is moderately susceptible to aphids and is susceptible to Currant fruit fly and Currant borer.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Tiben' originated from the cross between 'Titania' and 'Ben Nevis', made in 1987 at the Research Institute of Pomology in Skierniewice, Poland. In 1991, a single seedling was selected for high productivity, good fruit size, good plant habit and field resistance to main fungal diseases. The plant was propagated vegetatively from hardwood cuttings. Shrubs were planted in 1992 in an experimental orchard at Dabrowice, Poland and evaluated from 1994 to 1996. In the fall of 1996, the cultivar was given to the National Cultivar Trials for further evaluation and registration in Poland.

Tests & Trials: 'Tiben' was tested in Courtenay, British Columbia in 2003 and 2004. The trials consisted of ten plants per variety, spaced 60 cm apart. Measured characteristics were based on six measurements for 'Tiben' and ten measurements for the reference varieties.

Comparison tables for 'Tiben' with reference varieties 'Ben Lomond' and 'Titania'

Plant height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Plant height to width ratio

Number of flowers per truss

Fruit weight (grams per 100 berries)