Aronia berry, also known as chokeberry, are rich in antioxidants that promote cardiovascular health, immune function and overall well-being. Beyond their nutritional benefits, they also serve as attractive ornamental landscape plants, providing wildlife provisioning and contributing to ecosystem services. However, not much is currently known about the plant growth and fruit quality of aronia berry in the southeastern US, and how different regions may affect plant growth characteristics. The main objective of this study was to establish plantings in two locations in Georgia and assess native aronia species for plant growth and fruit quality characteristics. The growth and yield of two native species, black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) and red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), were assessed during the 2024 growing season at two agroecological regions in Georgia: Blairsville (Zone 7a, Blue Ridge region) and Griffin (Zone 8a, Piedmont region). Field plots, consisting of three-year-old plants, were established at both locations in 2021. Plant measurements included: growth index, stem diameter at 100 cm height, yield (kg), berry size of the equator (mm), berry weight (g), dry berry weight (g), total soluble solids (°Brix), pH, and total titratable acidity (%TTA). Black chokeberry exhibited significantly higher values (p ≤0.05) for growth and yield in Blairsville than in Griffin. Total soluble solids were not different across locations. Similarly, red chokeberry had higher growth index, stem diameter, and yield in Blairsville, yet location had no effect on berry weight. Individual berry size was not affected by location for both black and red chokeberry. These findings suggest that even within adjacent eco-regions, aronia species show different growth and berry production, and that plants grown in northern regions exhibit larger size and bear more berries. This has implications for ornamental landscapes and restoration habitat practices. This work will be used as part of a larger work to examine the potential of aronia as an alternative fruit crop in the southeast.
