Aronia: An Old Fruit Crop, New to Alternative Horticulure

A new alternative crop is being studied by University of Maryland Extension for organic fruit production.  The Black Chokeberry or Aronia, to which it is commonly referred, is an eastern U.S. native with a long history of fruit production in Eastern Europe.  As an alternative crop, Aronia has many benefits, having considerable market potential. The fruit is about the size of a large blueberry and comes in clusters of about 10 to 20, making them relatively easy to harvest. A mature plant (about 7 to 8 years) can yield over 15 lb, but they start fruiting within two years after planting (averaging 3 or 4 lb of fruit per plant).  The fruit is closely related to an apple and is dark purple in color. The color is attributed to high concentrations of flavonoids including anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins. Due to health-promoting effects, there is great interest in fruits and vegetables containing high concentrations of flavonoids, which are considered potent antioxidants.  Recent studies have shown that Aronia has a very high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) compared to other fruit, including blueberries.  The fruit has potentially beneficial properties for health with regards to the function of coronary arteries, antimicrobial properties for urinary tract health, gastrointestinal cancer-fighting properties and a recent USDA study using insulin resistant rats, suggests the fruit possibly aids in the management of diabetes. At the University of Maryland's Wye Research and Education Center, an active orchard with the varieties “Nero” and “Viking” has been maintained and observed for about 5 years to determine the cultural management, potential pest species, and fertility needs to optimize yield.  This fruit seems relatively easy to grow, with little input, maximizing profit and reducing time for return on investment. A University of Maryland Extension program is presently underway to promote the interest of this fruit as an alternative crop for farms. 

 

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