PRODUCTION OF ARONIA AS A SUSTAINABLE HIGH-VALUE CROP FOR MARYLAND FARMS
Sustainable Agriculture
Sudeep Mathew
Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources
University of Maryland Extension
Cambridge
Abstract
Ristvey, A. G.\r\n2 Extension Specialist, University of Maryland Extension, Wye REC, Queenstown, MD 21658\r\n\r\nAronia [Photinia melanocarpa, (Michx.) Robertson and Phipps] or Black chokeberry, as it is known commercially, is a small fruit-bearing shrub in the Rose family. Its range is from Newfoundland, west to Ontario, south into Alabama and east to Georgia, and is hardy to zone 3(USDA NRCS, 2011). The aronia fruit has nutraceutical qualities, heightening its marketability and sales potential as a value added product. There is currently great interest in fruits and vegetables that contain high concentrations of flavonoids, considered potent antioxidants (Gu et al., 2004; Pietta, 2000). In a recent study (Wu et al., 2004) aronia was shown to contain high levels of flavonoids including anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, and has a total oxygen radical absorbance capacity (T-ORAC) of 16,062 ìmoles Trolox Equivalents (TE) per 100 g of fresh fruit (USDA ARS, 2010). Upon conducting the research evaluating Aronia’s cultural management, cultivar adaptability, disease and pest resistance, and fertility requirements to produce optimum yield at University of Maryland, Wye Research and Education Center, authors through extension programs introduced this High-Value crop for Maryland farms. This crop was introduced through a multiple extension events targeting the interest of value-added sustainable agriculture enterprise. An annual Farm Twilight meeting was organized during 2010 and 2011 where farmers were given an opportunity to see the plant, fruit and showcasing potential products that can be made from the fruit. This presentation will discuss about Aronia crop production, grower response and adaptation of this crop in Maryland.
Authors: Mathew, S. A.
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Mathew, S. A. Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources, University Of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 21613