Evaluation of German Plum Selections in Latvia

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the suitability of growing plum cultivars and hybrids of German origin in Latvian conditions. In the trial the plum cultivars and hybrids were planted at the Latvia State Institute of Fruit Growing (now, Institute of Horticulture) in spring 2008. Six W. Hartmann genotypes (cultivars ‘Tipala’, ‘Tegera’ and ‘Haganta’, and hybrids H-5102, H-3753, and H-3690) from Hohenheim University were included in the study. Prunus cerasifera was used as rootstock. The parameters evaluated were: beginning of flowering, ripening time, average yield (kg per tree), cumulative yield (kg), and average fruit weight from 2012 to 2016, and content of soluble solids from 2014 to 2016. In addition, self-fertility was evaluated in 2015 and 2016 for three cultivars and one hybrid. The winter of 2010/2011 was unfavourable, as plum orchards and most plum cultivars in Latvia suffered winter damage, but cultivars and hybrids in the trial were without damages. Significant damages were not observed in further years. Average flowering time in the four-year period for all cultivars and hybrids was the 1st or 2nd decade of May, harvest time was from the 1st decade of August to the 3rd decade of September. The earliest was hybrid H-3690, and the latest was cv.’Haganta’. The most productive was hybrid H-3690, which gave 42 kg in the 3rd year of yield and had the most rapid rise in yields. ‘Haganta’ had the biggest fruits (50 to 60 g) and highest content of soluble solids (17-18 Brix%). Self-fertility level was 40% for ‘Tegera’, 17.4% for ‘Haganta’, 14.5% for H-3690 and 0% for ‘Tipala’. Evaluation of all analysed parameters showed that ‘Tegera’ could be recommended for Latvian growers thanks to good winter hardiness in the research period. ‘Haganta’ is recommended only for warmer regions in Latvia. Hybrid H-3690 will potentially be useful for Latvian growers.

Growth Characteristics of Five Plum Varieties on Six Different Rootstocks Grown in Containers at Different Irrigation Levels

“…Their adaptability to different soils and climates is quite variable, which underlines the importance of evaluating rootstocks. Although the authors more or less agree on the classification of rootstocks according to vigour [8][9][10][11][12], some literature data suggest that the scion and groundstock combination may modify the effect of rootstock on scion growth [9,[13][14][15][16][17][18]. Furthermore, the type of cultivation and pruning applied may affect growth; in particular, the cultivation of high-density orchards may reduce growth differences between rootstocks [2,3,14,15].…”

“…Although the authors more or less agree on the classification of rootstocks according to vigour [8][9][10][11][12], some literature data suggest that the scion and groundstock combination may modify the effect of rootstock on scion growth [9,[13][14][15][16][17][18]. Furthermore, the type of cultivation and pruning applied may affect growth; in particular, the cultivation of high-density orchards may reduce growth differences between rootstocks [2,3,14,15]. Similarly, soil, climate and ecological conditions [15] are very important characteristics to select rootstocks.…”

“…Furthermore, the type of cultivation and pruning applied may affect growth; in particular, the cultivation of high-density orchards may reduce growth differences between rootstocks [2,3,14,15]. Similarly, soil, climate and ecological conditions [15] are very important characteristics to select rootstocks.…”

Plum Cultivar Evaluation on Myrobalan Rootstock in Lithuania

“…All of these donor countries have a warmer climate than Sweden, but certain genetic resources from southern latitudes may adapt well to a less favourable climate (Hjalmarsson et al, 2008). Some plum genotypes with origin in southern Ger-many have shown good results in Latvia (Grâvîte and Kaufmane, 2017).…”