Grower Summary TF 170 Plums: To determine the performance of 6 new plum varieties Annual 2012
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Project Number: TF 170 Project Title: Project Leader: Plums: To determine the performance of 6 new plum varieties Tim Biddlecombe Contractor: Farm Advisory Services Team Ltd Industry Representative: Steve Castle Report: Annual Report 2012 Publication Date: 12 July 2012 Previous report/(s): Annual Report 2011, Annual Report 2009 Start Date: 01 October 2007 End Date: 31 March 2013 Project Cost: 19,025
Headline Six plum varieties are being tested for suitability for commercial production in the U.K. The project is now in its second fruiting year and varieties of potential interest are starting to be identified. Background and expected deliverables A number of newly developed plum varieties (Prunus domestica) from mainland Europe show potential for UK production. The purpose of this project is to assess the commercial potential of these new varieties in respect of yield and fruit quality. In addition, seasonality of these varieties will be determined. The varieties Meritare, Haganta, Valerija, Anita, Ferbleue, Jojo and Verity are being compared to Opal and Victoria as standards. Each variety, with the exception of Jojo and Verity, are being grown on two rootstocks St. Julian A and Plumina (Ferlenain). The project will identify which, if any, of these varieties show commercial relevance to UK producers. Summary of the project and main conclusions The trial is being conducted at Brogdale Farm, Faversham, Kent and was planted during winter 2008. Seven new varieties have been planted with two standard varieties, Opal and Victoria, included as control varieties to which the new varieties will be compared. Dates of bud break, flowering and the start of fruit development were recorded weekly. At harvest, fruit number, size and yield were recorded for each variety/rootstock combination. Yield was split into marketable and non-marketable as a measure of fruit quality. In addition, the total soluble sugars were tested at harvest for each variety. Finally, the date at which each variety/rootstock combination started fruiting was recorded.. Table 1 (below) provides the season of cropping for each of the trial entries (compared to Opal and Victoria) for 2010 and 2011.
Table 1. The date of first pick for each variety/rootstock combination in 2010 and 2011. Picking sequence is also given with the earliest variety assigned order 1 and the latest variety order 7. 2010 Cropping sequence 2011 Meritare 05 Aug 1 13 Jul 1 Opal 05 Aug 1 20 Jul 2 Anita 09 Aug 2 25 Jul 3 Valerija 17 Aug 3 25 Jul 3 Victoria 25 Aug 4 15 Aug 4 Ferbleue 07 Sep 5 17 Aug 5 Jojo 10 Sep 6 29 Aug 6 Haganta 15 Sep 7 6 Sep 7 Cropping sequence The weight of marketable fruit produced in 2011 from each variety on each rootstock is displayed in Figure 1 (below). Figure 1. Weight of marketable fruit produced per tree in 2011. Standard error bars are shown.
The varieties showing most promise so far are Meritare, Ferbleue and Haganta. Images of these varieties along with their key attributes are listed below. Full details of all of the varieties can be found in the Science Section of the report. Meritare Summary of Attributes Meritare was the earliest new variety in this trial with harvest starting at the same time as Opal. Meritare has a very similar taste and appearance to Victoria which suggests that consumers would find it acceptable. Size is good but yield was one of the lowest of the new varieties. Ferbleue
Summary of Attributes Ferbleue has by far the best flavour of any plum in this trial. Whilst formal taste panelling was not within the remit of the project, it was sampled by a number of growers and was well regarded by all who tasted it. It has a very high o Brix of more than 25 o Brix. Its appearance will not make it stand out to consumers though. Cracking and general skin finish were issues in 2010, particularly following heavy rainfall but in 2011, fruit quality was much improved. Yields were low in 2010 but actually one of the highest of the new varieties in 2011. Haganta Summary of attributes Haganta is a very late variety with harvest starting around the same time as Marjorie s seedling. The yield was one of the greatest of all the new varieties under trial here. Fruit size is good. Flavour, whilst not as good as Ferbleue is definitely acceptable with a o Brix of greater than 25 o Brix in 2011. In small scale trials conducted at the end of this trial in 2010, Haganta was stored for up to 3 weeks in cold store without quality deteriorating too greatly.
In conclusion The earliest new variety in the trial was Meritare which started harvest a week earlier than Opal. The fruit is larger than Opal with a similar appearance and flavour to Victoria. Haganta was the latest variety which started fruiting around the same time as Marjorie s Seedling grown in the Faversham area. The fruit are large with good flavour and yields were among the highest in this trial. Ferbleue stood out due to its exceptional flavour. This was partly due to it having highest o Brix of any variety in the trial. I Its low yield in 2010 suggested poor potential for commercial production. In contrast,,in 2011 its yield was actually one of the highest of the new varieties which may make it a commercial prospect. Other varieties had specific traits which may make them sufficiently attractive to U.K. growers. For example, fruit size in Anita was larger than the other varieties and it has a useful crop timing, falling in between Opal and Victoria. The conclusions from this trial thus far must be considered preliminary until further seasons data verify them. There is potential though for supplementing the limited range of varieties currently grown in the UK with some of the varieties being tested here. Financial benefits At this stage, it is impossible to calculate the specific financial benefits of this project. However, if a variety was to be identified that could be of use to the industry the benefits could be significant. Action points for growers At this stage it is not possible to give definitive advice on which varieties should be planted as further seasons experience is required. However, planting small trial plots of particular varieties such as Haganta, Ferbleue and Meritare could be of use.