Biological and pomological properties of promising plum hybrids created at the Fruit Research Institute, Čačak

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a three-year study of ripening time and major physical and chemical properties of fruits of six promising plum (Prunus domestica L.) hybrids created at the Fruit Research Institute, Čačak. One of these hybrids was released as a new cultivar and was named ‘Nada’. The cultivar ‘Čačanska Lepotica’ served as the standard. The genotypes under study ripened between 29 July (hybrid 38/62/70) and 2 September (hybrid 22/17/87). An elongated fruit shape, a yellowish-green flesh colour and a firm fruit prevailed, whereas violet blue and dark blue skin colours were equally present. Fruit weight ranged from 26.96±0.68 g (22/17/87) to 56.92±2.87 g (38/62/70), with higher values obtained in 38/62/70 and the new cv.‘Nada’, compared to the standard. The highest flesh/stone ratio was found in hybrid 38/62/70 (96.91±0.19%), which was the only significantly higher result compared to the control cultivar. The highest soluble solids content was measured in hybrid 22/17/87 (17.01±0.96%), and the lowest in hybrid 38/62/70 (11.39±0.44%). Compared to the standard, higher values of soluble solids were exhibited by ‘Nada’ and hybrids 32/21/87, 34/41/87 and 22/17/87. Total acid levels were highest in hybrid 32/21/87 (1.42±0.05%), and lowest in ‘Nada’ (0.35±0.02%). Compared to the standard, higher levels were found in fruits of hybrids 38/62/70, IV/63/81 and 32/21/87. The ratio of soluble solids to total acids was highest in ‘Nada’ (43.72±1.47) and lowest in hybrid 32/21/87 (10.25±0.58). Compared to the control cultivar, higher values of this parameter were observed in ‘Nada’, and hybrids 34/41/87 and 22/17/87. The results of this research suggest that ‘Nada’ can be singled out among the tested genotypes as having the best combination of positive traits.