Asma
| Variety Passport | |
| Country of origin: | USSR (Crimea) |
| Variety number VIVC: | 682 |
| Prime name: | Asma |
| Principal Synonyms: | Asma Chernaya, Cherny Krymsky |
| Species: | Vitis vinifera |
| Ripening period: | Late |
| Classification and Use: | Table, Fresh consumption, Long-term storage |
| Resistance group: | Moderately resistant |
| Data Sources: | Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), Сорта винограда (Е. Н. Докучаева изд. 1986) |
| Agrobiology | |
| Vigor: | vigorous |
| Flower type: | hermaphrodite |
| Downy mildew susceptibility: | 3 points (low resistance) |
| Powdery mildew susceptibility: | 3 points (low resistance) |
| Botrytis susceptibility: | 3 points (low resistance) |
| Winter hardiness: | Non-hardy (-15...-17°C) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone: | Zone 7 (down to -17.8°C) |
| Fertility coefficient: | 0,4 |
| Коэффициент плодоносности: | 1,1 |
| Percentage of fruitful shoots: | 44% |
| Pruning length: | short, 2-4 buds |
| Clusters and berries | |
| Bunch shape: | conical, cylindro-conical, winged |
| Bunch density: | medium, dense |
| Average bunch weight: | 330 g |
| Berry shape: | oval, ovoid |
| Berry skin color: | black |
| Average berry weight: | 3,4 g |
| Seed development: | seeded |
| Flesh texture: | fleshy |
| Berry skin thickness: | Thick |
| Berry skin texture: | tough |
| Sugar content: | 15,4-18% |
| Total acidity: | 5,6-7,4 g/l |
| Berry Flesh Color: | Non-colored |
| Выход сусла в %: | 84,2% |
| Flavor type: | Neutral |
| Ampelographic overview |
Main Characteristics
Asma is an indigenous Crimean table grape variety. It is primarily cultivated within the vineyards of the "Massandra" production and agricultural association and is officially regionalized in the southern and southeastern districts of the Crimean region. The vegetative period from budburst to harvest maturity in the Alushta region spans 158 days, requiring a thermal sum of 3600–3700 °C of active temperatures. The variety belongs to the late-ripening group, with harvesting typically carried out in mid-to-late October. The average yield recorded at the Alushta state experimental plot stands at 137.9 centners per hectare, with an overall production range varying from 70–80 to 150 centners per hectare.
The Asma grape variety produces large conical or cylindro-conical clusters with an average weight of 330 grams. The berries are large, oval-ovoid, with an average weight of 340 grams per 100 berries. At harvest maturity, the must sugar content reaches 15.4–18 g/100 ml, accompanied by a titratable acidity of 5.6–7.4 g/l. The pulp is fleshy and juicy with a simple flavor profile. The organoleptic evaluation score for fresh grapes is 7.9 points. The yield exhibits superior transportability and post-harvest storage capacity. The variety is utilized for fresh consumption, preserves, pickling, and long-term winter storage.
Morphological Description
- Young shoot (shoot tip): The apex and the first leaves are light green with a bronze tinge and pinkish margins, displaying weak pubescence.
- Mature cane: The annual mature cane is yellow with a faint brown tint. Vine lignification and wood maturity are satisfactory.
- Mature leaf: Large, orbicular, three-lobed or nearly entire, with a wavy (undulate) leaf blade surface. The superior lateral sinuses are closed, featuring an ovoid perforation. The inferior lateral sinuses are open and lyre-shaped or form an incoming angle. The petiolar sinus is closed, rounded, or lyre-shaped. The terminal teeth of the lobes and marginal teeth are narrow-triangular and acute. The lower leaf surface is entirely glabrous. Autumn foliar coloration is yellow with reddish spots.
- Inflorescence and cluster: The flower type is morphologically hermaphroditic (perfect). The clusters are large (18–22 cm in length, 10–15 cm in width), conical in shape with a prominent wing. Cluster density is classified as medium-dense to dense.
- Berry: Large (24 mm long, 16 mm wide) and oval-ovoid. The skin color is violet-black, covered with a moderate waxy bloom (pruin). The skin is durable and firm. Each berry contains 1–2 medium-sized seeds.
Viticultural Properties and Management
The vines are characterized by high vigor. The Asma grape variety achieves its optimal quality when established on well-warmed slaty-clay and gravelly soils under conditions of moderate irrigation. The proportion of fertile shoots averages 44%, with a crop coefficient (fruiting coefficient) of 0.4 and a fruitfulness coefficient of 1.1. Graft affinity and compatibility with phylloxera-resistant rootstocks have not been evaluated. In Crimea, the variety is also widely utilized for the vertical greening of verandas and arbors.
A trunk-trained system is implemented for vine management, and short spur-pruning is recommended. The variety demonstrates relative field resistance to fungal diseases. However, winter hardiness is low: damage affecting up to 20% of the primary buds is recorded at a temperature of minus 15 °C.