PLUM

Plum also known as “Aalubukhara”, require minimum care compared to almost all fruits plants. Plum is major source of Vitamin A, B, (Thiamine), riboflavin along with nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus as well as iron. The properly merged acidity with sugar is beneficial in the processing of jams as well as squashes. The dry plums are best known prunes. The prunes possess excellent Ayurvedic properties. It helps to absorb iron in body and thus help in blood circulation. Liquid made from the prunes is beneficial in treating jaundice as well as summer bite. Plum reduced chance of heart attacked.

In India, Hills of H.P, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are major plum growing areas.

Plum can be sown on wide range of soils. It can be grown on deep fertile as well as properly drained, loamy soils with a pH of 5.5-6.5. The land should not contain of hard pan below soil layer. Avoid water logging as well as salty soils.

A)    Japanese varieties:

Santa Rosa: It has big sized fruit, brinjal color which gives appearance of deep red color. Flesh is golden yellow in color, extra juicy and sweet in taste. Fruits ripen in July month.

Mariposa: This variety has big sized fruit taking appearance of yellow pink color. Flesh is violet color and hard in nature kernel is small and fruits ripen in July-August month.

Firstplum: It has medium sized fruits, thin peel, light yellow in color and is red from one side. Flesh is soft and is tasty and juicy I n nature. The variety ripens in third week of May to first week of June.    

Maynard: These varieties have big sized fruits and are beautiful. It has thin peel and is violet in color. It has tasty and sweet fruits. The variety ripens in third week of June to end week of June.
 
Wickson: It has medium to big sized fruits which are red in color and has yellow flesh which is juicy and sweet in taste. The fruits ripens in August month.

Beauty: It has medium sized fruits which are attractive red in color. It has yellow flesh, extra juicy and sweet in taste.

Burbank: The fruit matures in July-August month. Mainly 2-3 harvesting are required.

B)    European varieties:

Greengage: This variety has medium sized fruits which are round in shape and is light yellow-green in color. Fruits have golden-yellow flesh, good quality which is soft and sweet.

President: It has big sized fruits and is blue-black in color. Hard flesh, free from kernel and is good in quality.

Vision: It has big sized fruits which are blue in color. Flesh is free from kernel and is sweet in taste.

Grand Duke: It has big sized fruits, blue in color which is attractive and is good in quality. Kernel is sticked with flesh.

Washington: It has big sized fruits which are light yellow in color. It has light yellow-green color flesh which is free from kernel and is hard in nature. Fruits are good for fresh eating.

Italian Prune: It has medium sized fruits which are light violet-black in color, long egg shapes. Flesh is light green-yellow in color, soft and free from kernel.

French Prune: It has small fruits which are light violet-red in color and is sweet in taste.

Low chilling varieties:

Titron: This variety is a self-fruitful cultivar however the yield raises in case Alucha variety is utilized as a pollinizer. Titron variety is not bigger than kala Amritsari. The berry size is not as big as Satluj Purple as well as kala Amritsari. The epicarp is thin compared to kala Amritsari. The flesh is yellow-colored as well as little juicy. Fruits produce 30-35 Kg/ tree.

Kala Amritsari: It is best favored cultivar of plains. Berries are of average dimension, rounded oblate. The epicarp on ripening changes darkish purple. The mesocarp is yellowish in tint with succulent pulp. Fruits are minor acidic in flavor. Berry ripens in 2nd half of May. The fruits are renowned for producing Jam as well as squash.

Pant Plum-1: It is a dwarf variety which is yellow in color and is light sour in taste.

Satluj Purple: This variety has big sized fruits (28gm) which are crimson in color and has thick flesh. It can be used for long distance transportation. Fruit matures in second week of May. It gives an average yield of 30kg fruits per tree.

Fla 1-2: It has big sized fruits which are juicy in nature. The variety matures in first week of May.

Time of sowing
Sowing should be done in October month.

Spacing
The ideal spacing of plum plant is 15cm X 30cm. The tree should be planted 6m X 6m apart from row and between plants.

Method of sowing
Direct sowing of seedlings.

Seed Rate

Plums could be propagated efficiently on peach, plum and wild apricot rootstocks.

In first year application of well decomposed cow dung@30-40kg/tree and SSP@500gm/tree should be given in December month. In spring season at the time of plant development application of Urea@100gm/tree should be given. Ever year dose of nitrogen@50-75gm/tree, phosphorus@40gm/tree and potash@40gm/tree should be increased. For fully developed tree, application of nitrogen@300-450gm/tree, phosphorus@240gm/tree and potash@240gm/tree should be done.

It required frequent irrigation as roots are shallow. In April, May and June apply irrigation at weekly interval. To avoid flower and fruit drop, avoid irrigation at full blossom and ripening stage. Throughout rainy climate no irrigation is required.

• Pest and their control

• Disease and their control

Black knot (fungus): Smoky black knots (galls) are observed.

Plum curculios (weevil): Small crescent shaped scars on fruit, which drop easily.

The maturity of plum fruit varies depending on the different types of variety.

Due to highly perishable character of plum it needs to be packed properly and are stored in proper temperature as they are chilling sensitive.