PRELIMINARY RESULTS REGARDING THE BEHAVIOR OF SOME BLACKBERRIES GENOTYPES IN MOARA DOMNEASCĂ (ILFOV COUNTY) AREA CONDITIONS

Blackberries are an important commercial fruit crop, widely grown. The blackberries contain significant amounts of polyphenol antioxidants such as anthocyanin pigments linked to potential health protection against several human diseases, so the demand is increasing. In order to identify the most suitable varieties for the Vlasia Plain area, in 2020 an experimental plot with 6 stable accessions was established. The cv. ‘Chester’, ‘Dar 8’, ‘Navaho’,‘Polar’, ‘Thornfree’, ‘Triple Crown’, were planted in a plantation scheme 3.0 m × 1.0 m. For each variety, during 2021, ripened fruits were harvested and biometric determinations have been done in the laboratory, being measured fruit weight and diameter, firmness, titratable acidity and pH, all fruit quality indicators. The preliminary results showed that blackberry varieties without thorns are larger than thorny varieties and more suitable for fresh fruit consumption, while the ‘Dar 8’ fruit are not so fragrant, their pulp is stronger, so they are more suitable for processing. The study will continue so statistical analysis can be performed