Articles
Performance of advanced Norwegian plum selections in a northern climate
Article number
1450_57
Pages
431 – 436
Language
English
Abstract
European plum cultivars are grown along the fjord areas of western Norway and around lakes in Eastern Norway at latitude around 60° north, where the most favourable agro-climatic conditions prevail.
The aim of this plum cultivar trial was to evaluate recently released plum cultivars and premium selections from Norwegian breeding programs for pomological and chemical characteristics, to identify the most important quality parameters and to select cultivars with desirable traits for the modern market in Norway.
The trial was conducted at NIBIO Ullensvang between 2013 and 2019 and included 4 selections and a named cultivar from the private breeder Mr.
E. Ruud, Søgne and 3 plum selections from the breeding company Graminor AS, Njøs.
The trees were propagated on rootstock ‘Wavit’ and planted as green whips in the fall of 2013. The planting distance was 2×4 m and each cultivar and selections were multiplied 8-10 times with one tree per plot.
The trees were trained as free spindle.
Pruning took place in early spring during dormancy.
Every year, at the end of June or beginning of July, the trees were thinned to approximately 7 cm between fruitlets.
The differences in full bloom between the selections were on average between May 5 and 11. Due to the general fruit quality, and productivity of the trees, the selections ‘NPr. 458’ and ‘Anne’ (R21) were chosen for fresh consumption and can be recommended for further commercial cultivation trials.
The Graminor cross NPr. 458 (open pollinated (‘Jubileum’) was mature between ‘Victoria’ and ‘Valor’. It has abundant flowering, early and high yields and a large fruit size (66 g). The fruit shape is mostly round with red overcolour, high soluble content and medium acidity, resulting in a balanced and good taste.
The cultivar ‘Anne’ (R21) (‘Victoria’ open pollinated) from the private Norwegian breeder has an early ripening window like ‘Opal’. It has an early and abundant flowering.
However, due to the early flowering and lack of flowering pollinators, the harvest is likely to be moderate.
The elongated fruit looks good, is large (74 g), has a red-blue colour and a mild flavor.
Compatible pollinizers will probably improve fruit set.
The aim of this plum cultivar trial was to evaluate recently released plum cultivars and premium selections from Norwegian breeding programs for pomological and chemical characteristics, to identify the most important quality parameters and to select cultivars with desirable traits for the modern market in Norway.
The trial was conducted at NIBIO Ullensvang between 2013 and 2019 and included 4 selections and a named cultivar from the private breeder Mr.
E. Ruud, Søgne and 3 plum selections from the breeding company Graminor AS, Njøs.
The trees were propagated on rootstock ‘Wavit’ and planted as green whips in the fall of 2013. The planting distance was 2×4 m and each cultivar and selections were multiplied 8-10 times with one tree per plot.
The trees were trained as free spindle.
Pruning took place in early spring during dormancy.
Every year, at the end of June or beginning of July, the trees were thinned to approximately 7 cm between fruitlets.
The differences in full bloom between the selections were on average between May 5 and 11. Due to the general fruit quality, and productivity of the trees, the selections ‘NPr. 458’ and ‘Anne’ (R21) were chosen for fresh consumption and can be recommended for further commercial cultivation trials.
The Graminor cross NPr. 458 (open pollinated (‘Jubileum’) was mature between ‘Victoria’ and ‘Valor’. It has abundant flowering, early and high yields and a large fruit size (66 g). The fruit shape is mostly round with red overcolour, high soluble content and medium acidity, resulting in a balanced and good taste.
The cultivar ‘Anne’ (R21) (‘Victoria’ open pollinated) from the private Norwegian breeder has an early ripening window like ‘Opal’. It has an early and abundant flowering.
However, due to the early flowering and lack of flowering pollinators, the harvest is likely to be moderate.
The elongated fruit looks good, is large (74 g), has a red-blue colour and a mild flavor.
Compatible pollinizers will probably improve fruit set.
Publication
Authors
M. Meland, M. Fotirić Akić, O. Frøynes
Keywords
European plum, cultivars, testing, yield, fruit quality
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