Variety Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a seedless table variety of American breeding (International Fruit Genetics, California, 2004; A2674 × Princess seedless), known worldwide as IFG Seven, or Cotton Candy. “Ratatouille” is the conventional name under which it is sold in Ukraine. It ripens early-to-mid: in 130–140 days, at the end of August or the beginning of September. The cluster is conical or cylindrical-conical, dense or of medium density, usually 740–1200 g. The berries are oval, large, 8–10 g, from light yellow to amber, seedless (seed rudiments are almost unnoticeable; no gibberellin is needed for a quality crop). The taste is unusual: it resembles cotton candy or toffee with light notes of Duchesse pear; sugar content 18–22 °Brix, no Muscat aroma.

The bush is vigorous, the flower is hermaphroditic, yields are very high, and the lower buds are fruitful (short pruning to 2–3 buds is acceptable). Two clusters are left per shoot. The berries transport well, but the variety is not intended for long storage. Resistance to downy and powdery mildew ranges from low to increased according to different sources, so preventive treatments are needed. Frost resistance is low (from −19 to −24 °C by various data), and the vine is covered for winter.