Guzal kara
| Variety Passport | |
| Country of origin: | USSR (Uzbek SSR) |
| Breeder: | Central Asian Research Station of VIR |
| Variety number VIVC: | 5150 |
| Prime name: | Guzal Kara |
| Principal Synonyms: | Chernaya Krasavitsa |
| Pedigree given by breeder: | Katta Kurgan × Dodrelyabi |
| Pedigree confirmed by markers: | Katta Kurgan × Dodrelyabi |
| Species: | Vitis vinifera |
| Ripening period: | Late |
| Classification and Use: | Table, Fresh consumption, Raisin production |
| 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: | 1,1 |
| Коэффициент плодоносности: | 1,4 |
| Percentage of fruitful shoots: | 76% |
| Recommended rootstocks: | RR 101-14 |
| Clusters and berries | |
| Bunch shape: | conical |
| Bunch density: | loose |
| Average bunch weight: | 312 g |
| Berry shape: | rounded |
| Berry skin color: | black |
| Average berry weight: | 6 g |
| Seed development: | seeded |
| Flesh texture: | fleshy |
| Berry skin thickness: | Thin |
| Berry skin texture: | tender |
| Sugar content: | 16-18% |
| Total acidity: | 5-6 g/l |
| Berry Flesh Color: | Non-colored |
| Flavor type: | Neutral |
| Ampelographic overview |
Main Characteristics
Guzal kara is a table grape variety bred at the Central Asian Experimental Station of the Vavilov All-Union Institute of Plant Industry (VIR) by selectors M. S. Zhuravel, G. K. Mukhamedov, and A. M. Negrul. The variety is primarily cultivated in the Uzbek SSR and Kazakh SSR, and is officially regionalized in the Crimean region of the Ukrainian SSR. The vegetative period from budburst to harvest maturity spans 150 days; harvesting at the Alushta state experimental plot is conducted during the last decade of September, which corresponds to the late ripening group. The average yield of high-trained trunk systems over five years of evaluation exceeded 210 centners per hectare, with a calculated potential baseline of 179 centners per hectare.
The Guzal kara grape variety produces large, conical, branched clusters of loose density, with an average weight of 312 grams. The berries are exceptionally large, nearly spherical (globose), weighing approximately 6 grams. The skin is thin and easily edible, while the pulp is fleshy and juicy. The berry coloration is violet-black, covered with a dense waxy bloom (pruin). The must sugar content reaches 16–18 g/100 ml, accompanied by a titratable acidity of 5–6 g/l. The flavor profile is simple, pleasant, and refreshing. The organoleptic evaluation score for fresh grapes stands at 7.5 points and above. The yield exhibits good transportability and satisfactory cold storage performance; the berry detachment force is 252 grams, and the crushing resistance is 1070 grams. The variety is utilized for fresh consumption and is highly suitable for drying into raisins.
Morphological Description
- Young shoot (shoot tip): The apex is light green with distinct pinkish marginal teeth. The first leaves are light green, covered on both surfaces with dense tomentose (felty) pubescence. Subsequent leaves turn dark green, displaying moderate pubescence on the lower surface.
- Mature cane: The annual mature cane is brown, featuring more intensely colored nodes. The overall level of vine lignification and wood maturity under the environmental conditions of the Southern Coast of Crimea is good.
- Mature leaf: Medium to large in size, rounded (orbicular), three- or five-lobed, and weakly incised, with a finely bullate or rugose blade surface. The margins of the lobes are slightly curved upwards. The superior lateral sinuses are shallow to medium in depth, open and forming an incoming angle, or occasionally lyre-shaped. The inferior lateral sinuses form a slight incoming angle or are entirely absent. The petiolar sinus is open, lyre-shaped or rounded, characterized by overlapping lobes. The teeth are triangular-convex (cupola-shaped). The lower surface is covered with dense araneose or weak tomentose pubescence. Autumn foliar coloration is an intense wine-red.
- Inflorescence and cluster: The flower type is morphologically hermaphroditic (perfect). The clusters are conical, branched, and loose (measuring 20–24 cm in length and 13–15 cm in width). The peduncle is long (6–7 cm) and structurally durable.
- Berry: Very large (25 mm long, 24 mm wide) and nearly round. The skin color is violet-black. Each berry contains 2–3 large, well-developed seeds.
Viticultural Properties and Management
The vines are characterized by high vigor. On the Southern Coast of Crimea, the Guzal kara grape variety is highly suitable for high-trunk training with a two-arm layout using a 2.5 x 3 m planting density. The proportion of fertile shoots averages 76%, with a crop coefficient (fruiting coefficient) of 1.1 and a fruitfulness coefficient of 1.4. The variety demonstrates satisfactory graft affinity and compatibility with Riparia x Rupestris 101-14 rootstock.
The variety shows a moderate degree of susceptibility to major fungal diseases. Under unfavorable weather conditions during anthesis, a slight shedding of flowers and minor millerandage (shot berries) may occur. Due to the thin skin of the berries, rainy weather during the ripening phase causes berry splitting followed by sour rot and crop degradation. The overall winter hardiness of the variety is classified as low.