Evaluation of medium early plum cultivars in the region of Belgrade

Abstract

Phenological traits, yield, and fruit characteristics of seven plum cultivars of medium early maturation time were studied in the region of Belgrade (Serbia) in the four-year period (2013- 2016). Control cultivar for comparison was ‘Čačanska lepotica’. The average time of flowering of tested cultivars was in the first half of April, and the average duration of flowering varied from 7.8 to 11.3 days. The average time of maturation ranged from July, 17 (‘Valerija’) to July, 31 (‘Hanita’). The average yield per tree was the lowest in the cultivar ‘Venera’ (8.6 kg) and the highest in the cultivar ‘Valerija’ (28.6 kg). Compared to control, significantly higher yield was achieved in the cultivar ‘Valerija’, while the lower yield was found in cultivars ‘Venera’, ‘Excalibur’, ‘Kišinjevska rana’ and ‘Čaradejka’. The lowest vigor was recorded in the cultivar ‘Valerija’, and the highest in the cultivar ‘Reeves’. The average fruit weight ranged from 36.1 g in the cultivar ‘Hanita’ to 71.1 g in the cultivar ‘Reeves’. Compared to control, fruit weight was significantly higher in cultivars ‘Reeves’, ‘Excalibur’ and ‘Valerija’. High soluble solids content (above 18%) was found in cultivars ‘Venera’ and ‘Kišinjevska rana’. Based on the obtained results, for growing in Belgrade region, cultivars ‘Valerija’ and ‘Hanita’ can be recommended.