Evaluation of early plum cultivars in the region of Belgrade (Serbia)

Phenological traits, yield, and fruit characteristics of nine plum cultivars of early maturation time were studied in the region of Belgrade (Serbia) in the five-year period (2013-2017). The control cultivar for comparison was ‘Čačanska Rana’. The average time of flowering of tested cultivars was in the first half of April, and the average duration of flowering varied from 7.4 to 10.4 days. The average time of maturation ranged from June, 22 (‘Boranka’) to July, 14 (‘Minerva’). The average yield per tree was lowest in the control cultivar, ‘Čačanska Rana’ (8.4 kg) and highest in the cultivar ‘Dalikatnaya’ (25.5 kg). Compared to control, significantly higher yield was achieved in four cultivars: ‘Dalikatnaya’, ‘Opal’, ‘Minerva’, and ‘Katinka’. The lowest vigor was recorded in the cultivar ‘Katinka’, and the highest in the cultivar ‘Opal’. The average fruit weight ranged from 22.9 g in the cultivar ‘Katinka’ to 55.9 g in the cultivar ‘Čačanska Rana’. Compared to control, fruit weight was significantly lower in all cultivars except ‘California Blue’. Soluble solids content was lowest in the cultivar ‘Boranka’ and highest in cultivars ‘Opal’, ‘Herman’ and ‘Minerva’. The best rated cultivars for fruit appearance were ‘Čačanska Rana’ and ‘California Blue’, while cultivars ‘Opal’ and ‘Katinka’ had the best scores for taste