THE BLACK CHOKEBERRY PLANT (ARONIA MELANOCARPA L.)

Abstract

The article provides a description of the black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa L.) based on an analysis of the literature and considers the prospects of its introduction under the conditions of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, which are characterized by soil salinization, limited water resources and a sharply continental climate. It is noted that about 10% of the fruit consists of glucose, fructose and sorbitol, that the plant is able to reduce the sugar level considerably in diabetes mellitus, that the average content of anthocyanin pigments in the fruit amounts to 6.4%, and that the fruit helps to lower blood cholesterol in patients suffering from atherosclerosis. Drawing on foreign and local studies, the author summarizes the biological and morphological characteristics of this perennial shrub, which reaches 2–3 m in height and bears fruits 6–8 mm in diameter, its flowering and fruiting periods and the main requirements of its planting technology.