Acta Scientiarum Polonorum: Hortorum Cultus (Aug 2016)
THE PHENOLOGICAL AND POMOLOGICAL TRAITS OF AUTOCHTHONOUS PLUM CULTIVARS IN THE AREA OF NORTH MONTENEGRO
Abstract
Plum is the major fruit species in the area of North Montenegro. A study conducted over a period of 4 years in North Montenegro region included in situ identification of autoch-thonous plum cultivars. Observation and recording of their phenological and pomological traits were performed using IBPGR and UPOV methodologies. Flowering started between 26th March and 12th April and fruit ripening between 13th July (Petrovača) and 18th September (Trnovača). Fruit weight ranged from 6.65 ±0.235 to 53.88 ±0.654 g and stone weight from 0.16 ±0.003 to 2.20 ±0.711 g. The cultivars were classified as being extremely small in terms of fruit size, except for cv. Crvena durgulja (bigger fruit size). Rounded fruit shape and light green ground color were dominant. Skin color ranged from amber to black. Yellow green was a dominant flesh color and medium flesh firmness predominated. The fruits of the above cultivars could be processed, particularly into plum brandy, or they could be used fresh or dried. The selected plum cultivars can be used both in breeding programmes and as cultivars for organic plum orchards. This study was made to assess the performance of au-tochthonous plum cultivars (in situ) and seedling. Selection process consisted of 3 stages: a) initial selection from the population and pomological characterization, b) morphological and quantitative characteristics of one-year old seedlings for autochthonous brandy varieties of plum on Myrobalan seedling (Prunus cerasifera Erhr.), and c) water attaining capability of leaves in autochthonous plum cultivars as an indicator of their resistance to drought.
