Production and use of the Cornelian cherry - Cornus mas L

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the growth and yields of selected varieties of Cornelian cherry (’Elegantní’, ’Fruchtal’, ’Jaltský’, ’Jolico’, ’Lukjanovský’, ’Vydubecký’, ’Vyšegorodský’) over a 5-year period. We evaluated the following: differences in growth, plant volume, external appearance, yield data and from samples of the fruit the composition and content of selected mineral elements. The following mineral elements were determined in the fruit samples: P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn, as well as other parameters: content of solids, degree of refraction, content of acids, vitamin C and pectin.
Evaluations were carried out in 2007–2011 and statistically significant differences in the plant volume were discovered among the varieties; Vyšegorodský is a high-volume variety (3.25 m ³ ); the volume of variety Jolico is small (1.86 m ³ ). In terms of yields the variety Fruchtal ranks among the more productive varieties (6.99 kg.plant ⁻¹ ); in contrast the yields of the variety Jaltský were lower (5.07 kg. plant ⁻¹ ). Differences among the varieties were significant only in the contents of K, Mg, Na and Fe. The Ca and P contents ranged between 301 and 365 mg.kg ⁻¹ and 313 and 412 mg.kg ⁻¹ , respectively. The K content in the fruit was the lowest in variety Vydubecký (3411 mg.kg ⁻¹ ) and the highest in the variety Fruchtal (3798 mg.kg ⁻¹ ). The Mg content was lower in varieties Elegantní (241 mg.kg ⁻¹ ) and Fruchtal (237 mg. kg ⁻¹ ); the Mg content was higher in varieties Jaltský (281 mg.kg ⁻¹ ), Jolico (288 mg.kg ⁻¹ ), Lukjanovský (292 mg. kg ⁻¹ ) and Vyšegorodský (290 mg.kg ⁻¹ ). The Na content was the lowest in the fruit of variety Fruchtal (58 mg.kg ⁻¹ ); the Na content was significantly higher in varieties Vydubecký (81 mg.kg ⁻¹ ) and Jaltský (82 mg.kg ⁻¹ ). The Zn content ranged between 2.65 and 3.52 mg.kg ⁻¹ . The Fe content in fruit was the lowest in variety Fruchtal (41 mg.kg ⁻¹ ) and was significantly higher in variety Lukjanovský (49 mg.kg ⁻¹ ). The Cu content ranged between 1.09 and 1.74 mg.kg ⁻¹ . The Mn content ranged between 24 and 29 mg.kg ⁻¹ .
The average degree of refraction was 15 o Bx. The acid content was significantly the highest in variety Fruchtal (2.78 %); the content was medium in varieties Elegantní (2.24 %) Jolico (2.28 %) and Vydubecký (2.11 %), and was significantly the lowest in variety Lukjanovský (1.76 %).
No significant differences in the content of vitamin C were discovered among the varieties. The average content of vitamin C was 61 mg in 100 g of fresh mass of the fruit. The achieved data confirmed that Cornelian cherry is a valuable plant due to its undemanding cultivation, wide-ranging possibilities of its commercial use and its properties when used in landscape and ornamental gardening.

Full text

49
ACTA UNIVERSITATIS AGRICULTURAE ET SILVICULTURAE MENDELIANAE BRUNENSIS
Volume LX 5 Number 8, 2012
PRODUCTION AND USE OF THE
CORNELIAN CHERRY – CORNUS MAS L.
L. Dokoupil, V. Řezníček
Received: September 13, 2012
Abstract
DOKOUPIL, L., ŘEZNÍČEK, V.: Production and use of the Cornelian cherry – Cornus mas L. Acta univ. agric.
et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2012, LX, No. 8, pp. 49–58
The objective of the study was to evaluate the growth and yields of selected varieties of Cornelian
cherry (’Elegantní’, ’Fruchtal’, ’Jaltský’, ’Jolico’, ’Lukjanovský’, ’Vydubecký’, ’Vyšegorodský’) over
a 5-year period. We evaluated the following: diff erences in growth, plant volume, external appearance,
yield data and from samples of the fruit the composition and content of selected mineral elements.
The following mineral elements were determined in the fruit samples: P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu and
Mn, as well as other parameters: content of solids, degree of refraction, content of acids, vitamin C and
pectin.
Evaluations were carried out in 2007–2011 and statistically signifi cant diff erences in the plant
volume were discovered among the varieties; Vyšegorodský is a high-volume variety (3.25 m
3
); the
volume of variety Jolico is small (1.86 m
3
). In terms of yields the variety Fruchtal ranks among the
more productive varieties (6.99 kg.plant
−1
); in contrast the yields of the variety Jaltský were lower
(5.07 kg. plant
−1
). Diff erences among the varieties were signifi cant only in the contents of K, Mg, Na and
Fe. The Ca and P contents ranged between 301 and 365 mg.kg
−1
and 313 and 412 mg.kg
−1
, respectively.
The K content in the fruit was the lowest in variety Vydubecký (3411 mg.kg
−1
) and the highest in the
variety Fruchtal (3798 mg.kg
−1
). The Mg content was lower in varieties Elegantní (241 mg.kg
−1
) and
Fruchtal (237 mg. kg
−1
); the Mg content was higher in varieties Jaltský (281 mg.kg
−1
), Jolico (288 mg.kg
−1
),
Lukjanovský (292 mg. kg
−1
) and Vyšegorodský (290 mg.kg
−1
). The Na content was the lowest in the
fruit of variety Fruchtal (58 mg.kg
−1
); the Na content was signifi cantly higher in varieties Vydubecký
(81 mg.kg
−1
) and Jaltský (82 mg.kg
−1
). The Zn content ranged between 2.65 and 3.52 mg.kg
−1
. The Fe
content in fruit was the lowest in variety Fruchtal (41 mg.kg
−1
) and was signifi cantly higher in variety
Lukjanovský (49 mg.kg
−1
). The Cu content ranged between 1.09 and 1.74 mg.kg
−1
. The Mn content
ranged between 24 and 29 mg.kg
−1
.
The average degree of refraction was 15
o
Bx. The acid content was signifi cantly the highest in variety
Fruchtal (2.78 %); the content was medium in varieties Elegantní (2.24 %) Jolico (2.28 %) and Vydubecký
(2.11 %), and was signifi cantly the lowest in variety Lukjanovský (1.76 %).
No signifi cant diff erences in the content of vitamin C were discovered among the varieties. The average
content of vitamin C was 61 mg in 100 g of fresh mass of the fruit. The achieved data confi rmed that
Cornelian cherry is a valuable plant due to its undemanding cultivation, wide-ranging possibilities of
its commercial use and its properties when used in landscape and ornamental gardening.
Cornelian cherry, yields, volume of shrub, mineral elements, vitamin C
Minor fruit species round off the fruit species
produced in the conditions of the temperate zone of
the Czech Republic. They are grown predominantly
at a small-scale level and their production is
focused on the preservation of genetic sources in
gene pools. At the same time, eff orts are made to
spread production of these species among small
producers and to incorporate these plants into the
agrarian sector (Dolejší et al., 1991). Cornelian cherry
(Cornus mas L.) is a widely spread species native to
Europe. There are about 65 species of dogwood
(Cornus) representing a morphologically diverse

50 L. Dokoupil, V. Řezníček
group of primarily woody plants, widely distributed
throughout the temperate regions of the northern
hemisphere, with centres of origin in eastern Asia,
eastern and northwest North America, and the
mountains of Central America, South America and
east Africa (Eyde, 1988). Many Cornus species are
used as ornamentals, but only a few are grown for
their edible fruits, and Cornelian cherry Cornus mas
L. is among them (Ercisli, 2004).
The Cornelian cherry is valuable because
it is undemanding in terms of its position
and cultivation; it o en grows in an extreme
environment. Its greatest asset is the high biological
value of harvested fruit and its early ripening. It
has an important landscape-forming as well as
an aesthetic, rehabilitation, isolation and cultural
function (Koblížek, 2006; Paprštein et al., 2009).
The Cornelian cherry grows in altitudes of up to
1400 meters. The species is very tolerant to abiotic
and biotic factors and can survive and produce
high yields even in conditions unfavourable for its
growth, such as a temperature of −36
o
C. It can grow
to an age of 250–300 years (Asadov et al., 1990). The
fruits can be eaten fresh or used to make syrups,
juices, jams and other traditional products. It has
a great potential to be grown in monoculture group
plantings (Brindza et al., 2007). Cornelian cherries
are usually olive shaped, single-seeded fruits, 10–
20 mm long. They are typically red, but can also
be found in pink and yellow. They contain twice
as much vitamin C as oranges on a fresh weight
basis and are rich in sugar, anthocyanins, organic
acids and tannins (Seeram et al., 2002; Demir and
Kalyoncu, 2003). In addition to fresh consumption,
the fruit can be dried, pickled like olives, or used to
prepare preserves or wine (Karadeniz, 2002). The
fruit is sweet-sour in taste, slightly astringent and is
used primarily to make preserves, compotes, juices,
and wine (Asadov et al., 1990; Damirov et al., 1983).
Cornelian cherries have been grown in the Caucasus
and Central Asia for centuries, mainly for food
and medicine, but also as ornamental and honey
plants. Because it is drought-resistant and has hard
wood, it is used in many Central Asian countries
for making furniture, jewellery and traditional
musical instruments. Its primary utilisation is fruit
production. In its natural habitat, the Comelian
cherry can yield from 500 to 1000 kg of fruit per
hectare but, in orchard plantings, fruit yields can
reach up to 5000 kg per hectare (Asadov et al., 1990;
Damirov et al., 1983).
In the past decades, a collection of minor species,
varieties and ecotypes has been gathered on the
experimental plots, Department of Breeding
and Propagation of Garden Plants, Faculty of
Horticulture, Mendel University in Brno, which
are located at the School Farm in Žabčice. The
collection includes quince, Cornelian cherry, sorb
(service tree), sea-buckthorn, Japanese quince,
mulberry, common medlar, serviceberry, viburnum,
black elder, apple rose and honeysuckle. The
regular monitoring of their growth, data on their
phenology, yields and health will enable us to
specify how demanding these species are in terms
of soil, climate and cultivation. Important are also
results of laboratory assessments of the harvested
fruit and their use. The main objective of the study
is to evaluate the agro-ecological conditions in the
plantings together with possibilities of practical use.
The study is focused on Cornelian cherry (Cornus
mas. L.).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Strip planting was established of seven varieties
of Cornelian cherry: Elegantní, Fruchtal, Jaltský,
Jolico, Lukjanovský, Vydubecký and Vyšegorodský,
and they were evaluated for 5 years (2007–2011).
The strip around the stems was kept free of weeds by
regular cultivation. The inter-row space was grassed
and mowed six-times during vegetation. Cultural
practice of these stands was focused on plant
nutrition, disease and pest control and cutting. The
combined fertiliser Cererit Z was applied at a rate of
35 g.m
−2
in the spring as supplementary fertilisation.
The insecticide Pirimor DP 50 was used repeatedly
for pest control (aphids). Cutting in early spring
was done as maintenance pruning to remove the
broken, dry or otherwise damaged parts of the bush
or crown.
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) comes from south
Europe and from the foothills of the Caucasus; from
there it spread over Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and
Italy to the inland European continent (Dolejší et al.,
1991). Cornelian cherry ranks among a biologically
highly valuable fruit; the fruit can be eaten out of
hand or be further processed. It forms a rich root
system, stabilises the soil on slopes and prevents
erosion. It is an excellent pollen-bearing woody
species. It improves the environment in ecologically
damaged areas (Dolejší et al., 1991; Paprštein et al.,
2009).
On a yearly basis, biometric data of some varieties
and ecotypes were recorded a er the end of the
vegetation period. The growth intensity, volume of
the shrub based on Neumann’s formula (Vk = Pp
2
.
v/1.91 m
3
), growth habit of the shrub and fruit yields
from one shrub were evaluated; the eff ective fertility
expressing the weight of fruit from one shrub in kg
was related to the shrub volume. The harvesting of
Cornelian cherry was divided into three dates based
on the ripeness of the fruit. The resulting yields
were calculated by summing up the partial harvests.
The harvested fruit was sampled for laboratory
analyses of the content of solids, acids, vitamin C and
pectin and at the same time the content of mineral
elements. Laboratory analyses of the contents of
these substances were performed at the Department
of Food Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of
Chemistry of the Brno University of Technology
and the Department of Food Technology and
Microbiology, Faculty of Technology of Tomáš Bata
University in Zlín.

Production and use of the Cornelian cherry – Cornus mas L. 51
The chemical analysis of solids content was made
a er drying to a constant weight at 105
o
C (± 2
o
C). The
refraction of solids was measured in juice, obtained
by fruit juicing, using polarimetric measurements
and was expressed in Brix degrees. The total content
of acids was assessed by potentiometric titration; the
homogenised sample was extracted in re-distilled
water followed by fi ltration and titration with
sodium hydroxide to pH 7.8 and the result was re-
calculated to g of malic acid per kg
−1
of fresh mass
(Novotný, 2000). Vitamin C was determined using
the modifi ed method according to Miki (1981).
An extractive agent was added to the charge which
was then placed in a water bath where the sample
was extracted, fi ltrated and before column feeding
diluted in the given ratio by the extraction mixture
(chromatogram ESA, electro-chemical detector
Couloch III, column Supelcosil LC8). The amount
of vitamin C was expressed in v g.kg
−1
of fresh mass.
The amount of pectin was assessed using the method
a er Rop et al. (2008). A er preparing the extract
from the fruit squash the pectin was determined
photometrically. Samples and standard of pectin
were measured on the Libra S6 apparatus and the
pectin amount was expressed in g.kg
−1
of fresh mass.
Determination of mineral substances followed
the preparation of the sample by measuring the
mineralisate on the absorption spectrometer Philips
PU 9200X. The amount of mineral substances was
expressed in mg.kg
−1
of fresh mass.
Basing on the data obtained by measurements,
determination of the weight of the yields, laboratory
data etc. we can deduce which species, varieties
or ecotypes are suitable for diff erent use, for
growing in various climate and soil conditions, but
particularly for integration in the agrarian sector
and commercial utilisation of the harvest. The data
obtained were analysed statistically by an analysis of
variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple range test
for comparison of means (Snedecor and Cochran,
1968) using the statistical package Statistica v. 10.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In terms of the plant volume, yield and yield
effi ciency a signifi cant diff erence (p = 0.05)
was discovered among the varieties, years and
interactions among these factors (Tab. I).
The plant volume (p = 0.05) was signifi cantly
the highest in the variety Jaltský (4.87 m
3
); mean
values in varieties Lukjanovský (4.17 m
3
), Elegantní
(2.97 m
3
), Vydubecký (2.92 m
3
) and Vyšegorodský
(3.25 m
3
); the plant volume was the lowest in
varieties Fruchtal (1.96 m
3
) and Jolico (1.86 m
3
)
(Tab. II). The diff erence between the highest and
the lowest plant volume was 3.01 m
3
, i.e. 38 % of the
value of the highest volume (Tab. II).
In terms of yields a signifi cant diff erence
was discovered among the varieties Fruchtal
(6.99 kg. plant
−1
), Vyšegorodský (6.37 kg.plant
−1
)
and Elegantní (5.90 kg.plant
−1
) – with higher yields,
compared to varieties Lukjanovský (4.78 kg. plant
−1
),
Vydubecký (4.85 kg.plant
−1
) and Jaltský
(5.07 kg. plant
−1
) – with lower yields. The diff erence
between the most productive and least productive
variety was 2.21 kg.plant
−1
, i.e. 32 % of the value of
the highest yield (Tab. II).
In terms of the yield effi ciency (weight of fruit
in kg per m
3
of the plant volume) the fertility
of the variety Fruchtal signifi cantly surpassed
the other varieties (3.73 kg.m
−3
), followed by the
variety Jolico (3.07 kg.m
−3
). The fertility of varieties
Vydubecký (1.78 kg.m
−3
), Elegantní (1.97 kg.m
−3
)
and Vyšegorodský (2.05 kg.m
−3
) was medium. In
terms of the plant volume the yields of the varieties
Jaltský and Lukjanovský were lower (1.03 kg.m
−3
and
1.14 kg.m
−3
, respectively). The diff erence in effi cient
I: Analysis of variance results for plant volume, yield and yield effi ciency
Plant volume (m
3
) Yield (kg.plant
−1
) Yield effi ciency (kg.m
−3
)
Source of variation df MS p MS p MS p
Variety 6
17.96 0.000 10.41 0.000 14.48 0.000
Year 4 6.29 0.000 42.03 0.000 5.09 0.000
Variety*year 24 0.04 0.995 4.66 0.000 0.97 0.000
Error 70 0.11 0.43 0.16
II: Plant volume, yield and yield effi ciency of the tested varieties (mean, standard error of the mean, diff erent letters indicate signifi cant
diff erences between varieties, p = 0.05)
(data are related to Fig. 1–3)
Variety Plant volume (m
3
) Yield (kg.plant
−1
) Yield effi ciency (kg.m
−3
)
Elegantní 2.97 ± 0.13 b 5.90 ± 0.64 bc 1.97 ± 0.20 b
Fruchtal 1.96 ± 0.14 a 6.99 ± 0.39 d 3.73 ± 0.29 d
Jaltský 4.87 ± 0.15 d 5.07 ± 0.59 a 1.03 ± 0.11 a
Jolico 1.86 ± 0.12 a 5.44 ± 0.40 ab 3.07 ± 0.25 c
Lukjanovský 4.17 ± 0.15 c 4.78 ± 0.41 a 1.14 ± 0.07 a
Vydubecký 2.92 ± 0.21 b 4.85 ± 0.22 a 1.77 ± 0.13 b
Vyšegorodský 3.25 ± 0.14 b 6.37 ± 0.44 cd 2.05 ± 0.21 b

52 L. Dokoupil, V. Řezníček
fertility between the most fertile and the least
fertile variety was 2.70 kg.m
−3
, i.e. 32 % of the highest
effi cient fertility (Tab. II.).
If we summarise the total yield effi ciency of all
varieties and express it in the individual years of
monitoring (Tab. III), it is evident that the effi cient
fertility is most frequently the highest of varieties
in the fi rst year a er planting; in the following year,
apparently due to high fertility and low growth
activity in the preceding year, the effi cient fertility
markedly drops and again gradually begins to grow
in the following years. The plant volume in the
individual years increases year by year.
Detailed expression of the yield effi ciency of the
varieties in the individual years is given in Table IV
and Graphs 1 to 3. It shows a drop in productiveness
in the year following planting (2008), for example
in varieties Elegantní and Jaltský. Yield effi ciency
of variety Lukjanovský did not drop markedly until
2009.
Since all varieties were grown in the same
conditions and in the same locality we may see
variability among varieties which is typical for this
fruit species (Brindza et al., 2007; Kim et al.,2003).
The contents of important elements – P, K, Ca, Mg,
Na, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn – were assessed in the fruit
of the varieties. Signifi cant diff erences among the
varieties were discovered only in the contents of K,
Mg, Na and Fe (Tab. Va. and Tab. Vb.).
The content of P ranged between 313 and
412 mg. kg
−1
; no signifi cant diff erences in the P
content were found among the varieties (Tab. VI).
The content of K in the fruit was the lowest in
variety Vydubecký (3 411 mg.kg
−1
) and the highest
in variety Fruchtal (3 798 mg.kg
−1
). The diff erence
in the K content between these varieties was
statistically signifi cant (Tab. VIIa.) The Ca contents
ranged between 301 and 656 mg.kg
−1
; no signifi cant
diff erences in the Ca content among the varieties
were detected (Tab. VI).
The Mg content was lower in varieties Elegantní
(241 mg.kg
−1
) and Fruchtal (237 mg.kg
−1
) and higher
in varieties Jaltský (281 mg.kg
−1
), Jolico (288 mg.kg
−1
),
Lukjanovský (292 mg.kg
−1
) and Vyšegorodský
(290 mg.kg
−1
). The Mg content in these 2 groups of
varieties signifi cantly diff ered (Tab. VIIa).
The content of Na in the fruit was the lowest
in variety Fruchtal (58 mg.kg
−1
). The Na content
was signifi cantly higher in varieties Vydubecký
(81 mg. kg
−1
) and Jaltský (82 mg.kg
−1
) (Tab. VIIb). The
contents of Zn ranged between 2.65 and 3.52 mg. kg
−1
;
no statistically signifi cant diff erences among the
varieties were detected in the content of Zn (Tab. VI).
The content of Fe in the fruit was the lowest in
variety Fruchtal (41 mg.kg
−1
). The Fe content was
III: Plant volume, yield and yield effi ciency according to year (mean, standard error of the mean, diff erent letters indicate signifi cant diff erences
between varieties, p = 0.05)
Year Plant volume (m
3
) Yield (kg.plant
−1
) Yield effi ciency (kg.m
−3
)
2007 2.43 ± 0.23 a 5.68 ± 0.33 c 2.89 ± 0.36 c
2008 2.85 ± 0.24 b 4.03 ± 0.35 a 1.75 ± 0.24 a
2009 3.13 ± 0.24 b 5.47 ± 0.30 bc 1.97 ± 0.17 ab
2010 3.45 ± 0.23 c 5.08 ± 0.32 b 1.68 ± 0.18 a
2011 3.86 ± 0.24 d 7.89 ± 0.25 d 2.25 ± 0.19 b
IV: Yield effi ciency in individual years of observation (mean,
standard error of the mean, diff erent letters indicate signifi cant
diff erences between varieties, p = 0.05)
Variety Year Yield effi ciency (kg.m
−3
)
Elegantní 2007 5.77 ± 0.24 cdefghi
Elegantní 2008 1.53 ± 0.43 a
Elegantní 2009 6.69 ± 0.22 fgijkl
Elegantní 2010 7.07 ± 0.39 gijklm
Elegantní 2011 8.45 ± 0.49 lm
Fruchtal 2007 7.92 ± 0.20 jklm
Fruchtal 2008 5.30 ± 0.30 cdefg
Fruchtal 2009 5.56 ± 0.5 cdefgh
Fruchtal 2010 7.23 ± 0.32 gijklm
Fruchtal 2011 8.96 ± 0.18 m
Jaltský 2007 5.32 ± 0.22 cdefg
Jaltský 2008 2.24 ± 0.18 ab
Jaltský 2009 5.27 ± 0.54 cdefg
Jaltský 2010 3.80 ± 0.30 bcd
Jaltský 2011 8.72 ± 0.30 lm
Jolico 2007 5.35 ± 0.23 cdefg
Jolico 2008 4.70 ± 0.56 cdef
Jolico 2009 4.20 ± 0.26 bcde
Jolico 2010 4.91 ± 0.21 cdef
Jolico 2011 8.05 ± 0.76 klm
Lukjanovský 2007 4.05 ± 0.26 bcde
Lukjanovský 2008 4.01 ± 0.25 bcde
Lukjanovský 2009 3.66 ± 0.28 abc
Lukjanovský 2010 4.49 ± 0.20 cde
Lukjanovský 2011 7.70 ± 0.25 ijklm
Vydubecký 2007 4.09 ± 0.27 bcde
Vydubecký 2008 4.60 ± 0.21 cdef
Vydubecký 2009 5.25 ± 0.35 cdefg
Vydubecký 2010 4.26 ± 0.21 bcde
Vydubecký 2011 6.05 ± 0.41 efghijk
Vyšegorodský 2007 7.27 ± 0.94 gijklm
Vyšegorodský 2008 5.81 ± 0.61 defghij
Vyšegorodský 2009 7.66 ± 0.34 hijklm
Vyšegorodský 2010 3.83 ± 0.37 bcd
Vyšegorodský 2011 7.30 ± 0.26 gijklm

Production and use of the Cornelian cherry – Cornus mas L. 53
signifi cantly higher in variety Lukjanovský (49
mg.kg
−1
) (Tab. VIIb). The contents of Cu ranged
between 1.09 and 1.74 mg.kg
−1
; no statistically
signifi cant diff erences among the varieties were
detected in the Cu contents (Tab. VI). The contents
of Mn ranged between 24 and 29 mg. kg
−1
; no
statistically signifi cant diff erences among the
varieties were detected in the Mn contents (Tab. VI).
We assessed the dry matter content, degree of
refraction, content of acids, vitamin C and pectin
in the fruit. The contents of dry matter, acids and
pectin diff ered signifi cantly among the varieties
(Tab. VIII).
As against the varieties Jaltský and Vydubecký
the content of solids was signifi cantly higher in
the variety Jolico (Tab. X). The average value of
refraction of solids was 15
o
Bx. No signifi cant
diff erence was detected among the varieties.
The vitamin content is considered an important
indicator of the nutritional value. The average
content of vitamin C was 0.61 g.kg
−1
, i.e. 61 mg.100 g
−1
of the weight of fresh fruit. There were no signifi cant
diff erences among the varieties (Tab. IX). Güleryüz
et al. (1996) reported that the fruit of Cornelian cherry
contains 43–77 mg.100 g
−1
of vitamin C. According to
Demir and Kalyoncu (2003) the vitamin C content
ranged from 55 to 73 mg.100 g
−1
in 6 genotypes
of Cornelian cherry. During a 5-year research
Va: Results of the analysis of variance for the content of selected elements in fruits (mg.kg
−1
)
P K Ca Mg Na
dfMSpMSpMSpMSpMSp
Variety 6 1 236 0.095 36 171 0.046 7 838 0.440 1 104 0.001 130.30 0.039
Error 7 426 9 002 7 051 71 30.48
Vb: Results of the analysis of variance for the content of selected elements in fruits (mg.kg
−1
)
Zn Fe Cu Mn
df MS p MS p MS p MS p
Variety 6 0.048 0.388 17.48 0.021 0.039 0.585 3.318 0.342
Error 7 0.039 3.21 0.047 2.418
VI: Content of selected elements in fruits in mg.kg
−1
(mean, standard error of the mean, maximum and minimum value)
Element x s
e
Min Max
P 371.27 ± 6.70 312.87 411.57
Ca 594.12 15.24 301.18 655.72
Na 74.55 ± 2.17 54.61 93.05
Zn 3.05 ± 0.06 2.65 3.52
Cu 1.32 ± 0.06 1.09 1.74
Mn 26.60 ± 0.45 24.12 29.38
VIIa: The content of selected elements in fruits in mg.kg
−1
(mean,
standard error of the mean, diff erent letters indicate signifi cant
diff erences among the varieties, p = 0.05)
Variety K Mg
Elegantní 3 547.86 ± 112.21 ab 241.02 ± 9.25 a
Fruchtal 3 798.15 ± 338.63 b 236.87 ± 2.57 a
Jaltský 3 708.12 ± 114.59 ab 280.83 ± 5.99 b
Jolico 3 666.99 ± 78.85 ab 287.66 ± 6.97 b
Lukjanovský 3 585.64 ± 27.69 ab 292.03 ± 1.69 b
Vydubecký 3 411.44 ± 77.63 a 261.60 ± 6.02 ab
Vyšegorodský 3 760.20 ± 79.15 ab 289.73 ± 3.61 b
VIIb: The content of selected elements in fruits in mg.kg
−1
(mean,
standard error of the mean, diff erent letters indicate signifi cant
diff erences among the varieties, p = 0.05)
Variety Na Fe
Elegantní 73.63 ± 3.56 ab 47.01 ± 0.21 ab
Fruchtal 58.05 ± 1.79 a 41.24 ± 1.22 a
Jaltský 82.34 ± 4.09 b 43.12 ± 3.03 ab
Jolico 75.68 ± 4.15 ab 43.85 ± 0.23 ab
Lukjanovský 72.89 ± 1.39 ab 48.68 ± 0.49 b
Vydubecký 81.89 ± 4.02 b 41.98 ± 0.39 ab
Vyšegorodský 74.98 ± 1.14 ab 47.65 ± 0.31 ab
VIII: The results of the analysis of variance for the content of solids, degree of refraction, acids and pectin
Solids (%) RS (
o
Bx) Acids (g.kg
−1
) Vit. C (g.kg
−1
) Pectins (g.kg
−1
)
dfMSpMSpMSpMSpMSp
Variety 6
1.20 0.017 1.59 0.996 31.75 0.000 0.00 0.991 9.84 0.006
Error 14 0.31 17.42 1.29 0.01 1.96

54 L. Dokoupil, V. Řezníček
Klimenko (2004) carried out chemical analysis of
fruit from freely growing selected genotypes and
he reported that the content of ascorbic acid ranged
between 71 and 100 mg%. The average content of
vitamin C in our experiments corresponds to the
literary sources.
The content of acids was signifi cantly the
highest in variety Fruchtal (2.78 %); a mean content
in varieties Elegantní (2.24 %), Jolico (2.28 %) and
Vydubecký (2.11 %); the signifi cantly lowest content
of acids in variety Lukjanovský (1.76 %) (Tab. X).
These data correspond with the data of Karadeniz
et al., 2001; Karadeniz, 2002; Yalcinkaya and Eti,
2000; the titratable acidity in Cornelian cherry was
also reported between 1.34 and 4.56 %.
The amount of pectin was the highest in
varieties Jaltský (15.55 g.kg
−1
), Jolico (14.71 g.kg
−1
)
and Vyšegorodský (15.00 g.kg
−1
); the content
was signifi cantly lower in variety Lukjanovský
(10.70 g. kg
−1
) (Tab. X).
CONCLUSION
The plant volume was the highest in variety Jaltský
(4.87 m
3
); the plant volume was the lowest in varieties
Fruchtal (1.96 m
3
) and Jolico (1.86 m
3
). Yields were
the highest in varieties Fruchtal (6.99 kg.plant
−1
),
Vyšegorodský (6.37 kg.plant
−1
) and Elegantní (5.90
kg.plant
−1
); the varieties Lukjanovský, Vydubecký
and Jaltský gave the lowest yields (4.78 kg.plant
−1
,
IX: Content of RS and vitamin C in fruits (mean, standard error of the mean, maximum and minimum value)
x s
e
Min Max
RS (
o
Bx) 15.19 ± 0.78 9.30 18.90
Vit. C (g.kg
−1
) 0.61 ± 0.02 0.42 0.77
X: The content of solids, acids and pectin (mean, standard error of the mean, diff erent letters indicate signifi cant diff erences among varieties,
p = 0.05)
Variety Solids (%) Acids (g.kg
−1
) Pectin (g.kg
−1
)
Elegantní 16.79 ± 0.31 ab 22.36 ± 1.21 b 14.57 ± 0.53 ab
Fruchtal 17.31 ± 0.17 ab 27.80 ± 0.26 c 11.75 ± 0.38 ab
Jaltský 16.00 ± 0.01 a 19.81 ± 0.42 ab 15.55 ± 0.23 b
Jolico 17.65 ± 0.59 b 22.77 ± 0.90 b 14.71 ± 1.75 b
Lukjanovský 16.69 ± 0.17 ab 17.57 ± 0.62 a 10.70 ± 0.41 a
Vydubecký 16.02 ± 0.40 a 21.07 ± 0.24 b 13.75 ± 0.75 ab
Vyšegorodský 16.32 ± 0.25 ab 19.75 ± 0.26 ab 15.00 ± 0.53 b
Year
2007
Year
2008
Year
2009
Year
2010
Year
2011
Elegantní
Fruchtal
Jaltský
Jolico
Lukjanovský
Vydubecký
Vyšegorodský
Variety
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Volume of plant (m
3
)
1: Volume of plant in each year of the observations (p = 0.05)

Production and use of the Cornelian cherry – Cornus mas L. 55
4.85 kg.plant
−1
and 5.07 kg.plant
−1
, respectively).
In terms of the yield effi ciency (weight of fruit
in kg per m
3
of the plant volume) the fertility of the
variety Fruchtal signifi cantly surpassed the other
varieties (3.73 kg.m
−3
), followed by the variety Jolico
(3.07 kg.m
−3
). Converted to plant volume the yields
were the lowest in varieties Jaltský (1.03 kg. m
−3
) and
Lukjanovský (1.14 kg.m
−3
).
The P content in the fruit ranged between 313
and 412 mg.kg
−1
. The K content in the fruit was the
lowest in variety Vydubecký (3411 mg.kg
−1
) and
the highest in variety Fruchtal (3798 mg.kg
−1
). The
contents of Ca ranged between 301 and 656 mg.kg
−1
.
Year
2007
Year
2008
Year
2009
Year
2010
Year
2011
Elegantní
Fruchtal
Jaltský
Jolico
Lukjanovský
Vydubecký
Vyšegorodský
Variety
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Yield (kg.plant
-1
)
2: Yield in each year of the observations (p = 0.05)
Year
2007
Year
2008
Year
2009
Year
2010
Year
2011
Elegantní
Fruchtal
Jaltský
Jolico
Lukjanovský
Vydubecký
Vyšegorodský
Variety
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Yield efficiency (kg.m
-3
)
3: Yield efficiency in each year of the observations (p = 0.05)

56 L. Dokoupil, V. Řezníček
The content of Mg was lower in varieties Elegantní
(241 mg.kg
−1
) and Fruchtal (237 mg.kg
−1
) and higher
in varieties Jaltský (281 mg.kg
−1
), Jolico (288 mg.kg
−1
),
Lukjanovský (292 mg.kg
−1
) and Vyšegorodský
(290 mg.kg
−1
). The content of Na in the fruit was the
lowest in variety Fruchtal (58 mg.kg
−1
). The content
was signifi cantly higher in varieties Vydubecký
(81 mg.kg
−1
) and Jaltský (82 mg.kg
−1
). The Zn
contents ranged between 2.65 and 3.52 mg.kg
−1
.
The lowest content of Fe in the fruit was detected
in variety Fruchtal (41 mg.kg
−1
). The content of Fe
was signifi cantly higher in variety Lukjanovský
(49 mg. kg
−1
). The Cu contents ranged between
1.09 and 1.74 mg.kg
−1
. The contents of Mn ranged
between 24 and 29 mg.kg
−1
.
The solids content was signifi cantly the highest in
variety Jolico (17.65 %), compared to Jaltský (16.00 %)
and Vydubecký (16.02 %). The average degree of
refraction was 15
o
Bx.
The average content of vitamin C was 0.61 g per kg
of fresh fruit. The content of acids was signifi cantly
the highest in variety Fruchtal (2.78 %); mean values
were seen in varieties Elegantní (2.24 %), Jolico
(2.28 %), Vydubecký (2.11 %) and signifi cantly
the lowest acid content in variety Lukjanovský
(1.76 %). The amount of pectin was the highest in
varieties Jaltský (15.55 g.kg
−1
), Jolico (14.71 g. kg
−1
)
and Vyšegorodský (15.00 g.kg
−1
); the content
was signifi cantly lower in variety Lukjanovský
(10.70 g. kg
−1
).
SUMMARY
The evaluation of the growth and yield data and content composition of the fruit including the
assessment of mineral elements confi rmed the diff erences among the varieties; we also evaluated the
agro-ecological conditions and possibilities of cultivation in practice.
Plantings of seven varieties of Cornelian cherry (’Elegantni’, ’Fruchtal’, ’Jaltský’, ’Jolico’, ’Lukjanovský’,
’Vydubecký’ and ’Vyšegorodský’) were evaluated on a regular basis for 5 years. The plantings were
arranged in strips and were subject to traditional agronomy practice. We monitored the growth
intensity, volume of the plant – shrub and yields. The fruit was sampled at harvest and was processed in
the laboratory. Mineral elements were determined (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn), the composition
of the fruit, content of solids, refraction degree, content of acids, vitamin C and pectin.
Diff erences in plant volumes, yields and effi cient yields among the varieties and individual years were
signifi cant. The variety Jaltský showed the highest plant volume (4.87 m
3
); the varieties Lukjanovský,
Elegantní, Vydubecký and Vyšegorodský showed mean values. The plant volume was the smallest
in varieties Fruchtal (1.96 m
3
) and Jolico (1.86 m
3
). In terms of fruit yields a signifi cant diff erence was
discovered between the group of high-yielding varieties Fruchtal (6.99 kg.plant
−1
), Vyšegorodský
(6.37 kg.plant
−1
) and Elegantní (5.90 kg.plant
−1
) and the group of low-yielding varieties Lukjanovský
(4.78 kg.plant
−1
), Vydubecký (4.85 kg.plant
−1
) and Jaltský (5.07 kg.plant
−1
). The continuously evaluated
volume of the plant – shrub increased in the individual years in dependence on the growth properties
of the variety, yield effi ciency and site conditions.
Laboratory assessments of the contents of mineral elements K, Mg, Na and Fe showed signifi cant
diff erences among the varieties. No signifi cant diff erences among the varieties in the contents of P,
Ca, Zn, Cu and were proved. The P content in the fruit ranged between 313 and 412 mg.kg
−1
. The
K content in the fruit was the lowest in variety Vydubecký (3411 mg.kg
−1
); the highest in variety
Fruchtal (3798 mg.kg
−1
). The Ca content ranged between 301 and 656 mg.kg
−1
. The content of Mg was
lower in varieties Elegantní (241 mg.kg
−1
) and Fruchtal (237 mg.kg
−1
) and higher in varieties Jaltský
(281 mg. kg
−1
), Jolico (288 mg.kg
−1
), Lukjanovský (292 mg.kg
−1
) and Vyšegorodský (290 mg.kg
−1
). The
content of Na was the lowest in variety Fruchtal (58 mg.kg
−1
); varieties Vydubecký and Jaltský had
a signifi cantly higher content (81 mg.kg
−1
and 82 mg.kg
−1
, respectively). The content of Zn ranged
between 2.65 and 3.52 mg.kg
−1
. The content of Fe in the fruit was the lowest in variety Fruchtal
(41 mg. kg
−1
) and was signifi cantly higher in variety Lukjanovský (49 mg.kg
−1
). The content of Cu ranged
between 1.09 and 1.74 mg.kg
−1
. The contents of Mn ranged between 24 and 29 mg.kg
−1
.
The content of solids was signifi cantly higher in variety Jolico (17.65 %) than in varieties Jaltský
(16.00 %) and Vydubecký (16.02 %). The average degree of refraction was 15
o
Bx. The average content
of vitamin C was 0.61 g per kg of fresh weight of fruit. The content of acids was signifi cantly the highest
in variety Fruchtal (2.78 %); a mean value was detected in varieties Elegantní (2.24 %), Jolico (2.28 %) and
Vydubecký (2.11 %), and the signifi cantly lowest in variety Lukjanovský (1.76 %). The amount of pectin
was the highest in varieties Jaltský (15.55 g.kg
−1
), Jolico (14.71 g.kg
−1
) and Vyšegorodský (15.00 g. kg
−1
);
the content was signifi cantly lower in variety Lukjanovský (10.70 g.kg
−1
).
The obtained data of the individual evaluated parameters of growth, volume of plant – shrub,
harvested fruit and laboratory analyses indicate the suitability of growing this species and that it
provides a number of potential uses; it can be grown in various climatic conditions and the harvested
fruit can be well utilised.

Production and use of the Cornelian cherry – Cornus mas L. 57
Acknowledgement
The study was based on project QH 82232 “Investigations into neglected fruit species and their
incorporation into the agrarian sector” funded by the NAZV, MZe ČR.
Address
Ing. Libor Dokoupil, Ph.D., prof. ing. Vojtěch Řezníček, CSc., Ústav šlechtění a množení zahradnických
rostlin, Mendelova univerzita v Brně, Zemědělská 1, 613 00 Brno, Česká republika, e-mail: libor.dokoupil@
mendelu.cz
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58