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.

Alubokhara: - The plant is erect and also dispersing. The berries are of bigger in size compared to other cultivars. The yield is significantly less compared to kala Amritsari. The epicarp is yellowish in shade with reddish patches. Pulp is luscious and sweetened.

Satluj Purple: - This is a self-unfruitful cultivar also needs Kala Amritsari as being pollinizer. Plant kala Amritsari variety as alternate plant in alternate rows to achieved good quality fruits. The berry is of average size that weigh 25-30gm. The epicarp is dense as well as mesocarp yellowish. Berries are generally consumed fresh. It gives average yield of 35-40Kg of fruits per tree.

Kala Amritsari: - 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 ripen in 2nd half of May. The fruits are renowned for producing Jam as well as squash.

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.

Kataruchak: - The cultivar was founded in small town Kataruchak of Gurdaspur region in Punjab. The fruits trade overpriced compared to those Kala Amritsari, because of the availability of white bloom on the flesh of fruit. The berry is large in dimensions, heart designed as well as purplish in shade. It ripens soon after kala Amritsari. Fruits produce 45-50 kg/tree. Berry is perfect for jam as well as squash preparation.

Jamuni Meeruti: Fuits are small size with dull yellow and thin skin. Gives average yield 28kg per tree.

Alpha: Fruits are small size and round shape. On ripening develop red color. Gives average yield of 25kg per tree.

Late yellow: Medium size and round shape fruits. On ripening, developed lemon yellow color. Gives average yield of 25kg/tree.

Peshawari kala: Shy bearing variety with good quality fruits. Fruits are black color thick skin.

Damson Plum: Medium size and round shape variety. Gives average yield of 40kg/tree.
 

Time of sowing
Planting is done in first fortnight of January.

Spacing
In nursery plant plum seeds at spacing of 15 cm X 30 cm. While planting in main field use spacing of 6 meter X 6 meter apart from row and between plants.

Method of sowing
Direct sowing of seedlings.
 

Seed Rate
The plum seed accommodate 110 tree/acre.
 

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

Rooted cuttings of Kala Amritsari is also used without budding.

For raising rootstock, sow seeds in month of November. Seedlings are ready for budding in month of May to June season. T-budding or shield budding can be done as it gives good results.
 

Fertilizer Requirement (gm/tree)

Nutrient Requirement (gm/tree)

Cultivation of plum required large amount of fertilizer. Heavy soil requires less fertilizer compared to light soils.

Always apply fertilizer based on soil test. In general, apply 6 kg farm yard manure or well decomposed cow dung, 60 gm of Urea (i.e. 30 gm Nitrogen), 60gm of MOP (36gm Potash), 95gm of SSP (i.e 15gm P2O5).

From 6th year onward, increased dose of fertilizer. i.e. Well decomposed cowdung@36kg, Urea@360gm, SSP@570gm and MoP@375gm. In case of zinc deficiency take spray 3kg of zinc sulphate.

In month of December, applied whole dose of Well decomposed cow dung, Phosphorus and Potash. Apply half dose of Nitrogen before flowering and remaining, one month after flowering.
 

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.

Apply, Diuron@ 1.2kg/acre or Simazine@1.6kg/acre as pre-emergence herbicides. Use of Glyphosate@320ml/acre as post emergence is also effective in controlling of weed.

• Disease and their control:
  

Brown rot (fungus): - Fruits have brown powdery masses. Fruits shrivel and form ‘mummies’.

Control:  Keep trees well pruned to encourage air circulation. Remove and destroy dropped fruit. Spray with sulfur at pre-blossom stage repeat when shucks split, then weekly for 2 week.

Black knot (fungus): - Smoky black knots (galls) on twigs and limbs, which range in size from 1 to 30cm.

Control: - Plant resistant cultivars, such as ‘president’ and ‘shiro’. Prune off galls. Make sure to cut at least 10cm below swellings.

• Pest and their control:

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

Control: - Pick up fallen fruits frequently. Once petals start to fall, each day spread a sheet below the tree and hit the tree trunk with a padded stick; collect and destroy the curculios that fall onto the sheet. Continue for 3 week.

Leaf-curl plum aphids: - Leaves and young shoots are twisted and stunted. Tiny, sticky insects are present.

Control: - Carefully timed sprays of horticultural oil will kill these aphids as they hatch. Or, apply neem when aphids are seen on leaves.

For local market, plum must ripen fully on tree. The ripe fruit are used in several pickings and are packed with proper care. In baskets, used rice trash or grass at bottom. Whereas for distant markets, harvest firm fruits with 50% change in color. 

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