Articles
Fruit quality assessment of organic plums grown in Norway
Article number
1450_26
Pages
199 – 206
Language
English
Abstract
The European plum (Prunus domestica L.) is one of the most important temperate fruit species, particularly in Europe and southwest Asia, and it is widely distributed throughout the whole world.
Plums are considered functional food due to their content of bioactive compounds such as fibre, sugars, phenolic compounds, and minerals.
Organic fruit growing is very popular because “sustainable intensification” of production promotes the cycling of resources, ecological balance, improvement of soil properties, conserving of wildlife and natural habitats, reduction of pollution, increased water efficiency, improvement of water quality and the use of environmentally friendly preparations to protect against pests and diseases.
Plum production in Norway is in the fjord areas in the southwest and around lakes in the east of the country at latitude of 60° north.
In most cases, the nutrient content is altered by genotype, cultivation techniques and preharvest conditions.
The aim of this work was therefore to evaluate the fruit quality of seven plum cultivars grown in Norway, at two different locations (Ullensvang, western Norway and Telemark, eastern Norway) in two consecutive years (2021-22). The ‘Jubileum’ cultivar was harvested 5-7 days earlier in Ullensvang, compared to Telemark, while the ‘Reeves’ cultivar was harvested 1-2 days earlier in Telemark.
Regardless of the cultivars, the plums from Telemark had a more intense ground and overcolour, as well as a higher fruit weight and firmness, while the plums from Ullensvang had a larger diameter, higher acidity, higher soluble solids content and a higher soluble solid-to-acid ratio.
Disregarding of locations, the ‘Valor’ cultivar had the yellowest base colour and the most intense overcolour (blue). ‘Excalibur’ had the largest fruit weight (78.2 g) and the largest fruit diameter (50.2 mm), while ‘Opal’ had the smallest and softest fruits. ‘Excalibur’ had the highest acidity (1.34%), ‘Mallard’ the highest soluble solid content (14.69%) and cultivar ‘Reeves’ had the highest soluble solids-to-acid ratio (14.48). All tested cultivars showed excellent pomological traits and are recommended for organic cultivation in Norway or in locations with similar agroclimatic conditions.
Plums are considered functional food due to their content of bioactive compounds such as fibre, sugars, phenolic compounds, and minerals.
Organic fruit growing is very popular because “sustainable intensification” of production promotes the cycling of resources, ecological balance, improvement of soil properties, conserving of wildlife and natural habitats, reduction of pollution, increased water efficiency, improvement of water quality and the use of environmentally friendly preparations to protect against pests and diseases.
Plum production in Norway is in the fjord areas in the southwest and around lakes in the east of the country at latitude of 60° north.
In most cases, the nutrient content is altered by genotype, cultivation techniques and preharvest conditions.
The aim of this work was therefore to evaluate the fruit quality of seven plum cultivars grown in Norway, at two different locations (Ullensvang, western Norway and Telemark, eastern Norway) in two consecutive years (2021-22). The ‘Jubileum’ cultivar was harvested 5-7 days earlier in Ullensvang, compared to Telemark, while the ‘Reeves’ cultivar was harvested 1-2 days earlier in Telemark.
Regardless of the cultivars, the plums from Telemark had a more intense ground and overcolour, as well as a higher fruit weight and firmness, while the plums from Ullensvang had a larger diameter, higher acidity, higher soluble solids content and a higher soluble solid-to-acid ratio.
Disregarding of locations, the ‘Valor’ cultivar had the yellowest base colour and the most intense overcolour (blue). ‘Excalibur’ had the largest fruit weight (78.2 g) and the largest fruit diameter (50.2 mm), while ‘Opal’ had the smallest and softest fruits. ‘Excalibur’ had the highest acidity (1.34%), ‘Mallard’ the highest soluble solid content (14.69%) and cultivar ‘Reeves’ had the highest soluble solids-to-acid ratio (14.48). All tested cultivars showed excellent pomological traits and are recommended for organic cultivation in Norway or in locations with similar agroclimatic conditions.
Publication
Authors
M. Meland, M. Fotirić Akić
Keywords
European plum, organic production, cultivars, fruit quality
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