VARIETY INFLUENCE ON ALTERNATE BEARING REACTIONS IN DOMESTIC PLUM

Production of a fruit tree depends on environmental conditions which are active during the cycle from bud formation till fruit formation arising from these buds (i.e. approximatively for one year and a half). Independently of the external actions on cycle, irregular production is possibly due to alternate bearing, i.e. internal action of a cycle on the following cycle.

Results of many studies on different species (Apple, Pear, Prune) show that this phenomenon is due to excessive fruit formation, this excess inhibiting flower induction of following cycle.
Complete removing of flowers or fruitlets increases greatly fruit bud induction in the same year.
The mechanisms of this action are not yet well known.

Generally, alternate bearing is a succession of a very poor or no production year after a year of excessive production in fruit number (very small fruits).

Like in many fruit species, alternate bearing exists in domestic Plum.
We have tried to precise, on this species, reproductive cycle phases concerned by this phenomenon and the possible variety habits.

Symposium of Working Group on Plum Genetics and Plum Breeding

J. COURANJOU

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1968.10.16