2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Aronia mitchurinii (A.K.Skvortsov & Maitul.) is a fruit bearing bush in the Rose family (Rosaceae) and in the apple subtribe of Pyrinae. This cultivated variety of aronia is being grown throughout the U.S. and is gaining popularity as an alternative specialty crop. Interest in certain classes of phytochemicals called polyphenols has increased in the recent years because of their potential to benefit human health. Wild and cultivated aronia fruit contains very high concentrations of total polyphenols, including flavonoids and anthocyanins, compared to other fruit like currants and blueberries. However, polyphenol content can vary within the cultivated variety of A. mitchurinii, and these differences may be due to cultural management like nitrogen fertility or other factors. Our objectives of this research were to determine the effects of nitrogen fertility, both organic and conventional, on 1) yield, 2) fruit brix and 3) polyphenol content including total polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins. To aronia test plots, we applied 3 or 14 grams of nitrogen (N) per plant in either certified organic or conventional form. Fruit were harvested and parameters measured in August of 2013 after 2 growing seasons of treatment. Yield measurements of each plant indicated that aronia responded better to higher N-rate treatments, but brix and polyphenol content in fruit juice were not affected by either N rate or source. This research improves our understanding of appropriate methods of fertility to maintain aronia fruit quality and grower profitability.