Evaluation of Pioneer and Celebration plum cultivars under El-Khatatba region condition

Abstract

Two plum cultivars (Pioneer and Celebration) grown in in a private commercial orchard at (El-Khatatba region) were evaluated under the Egyptian climatic conditions during two successive seasons of 2013 and 2014. Evaluation parameters included vegetative and flowering measurement, fruiting attributes, yield and fruit quality. The obtained data showed that,Pioneerwas superior toCelebration in total vegetative buds and opening percentage of flower buds. Pioneer was earlier in the date of vegetative bud opening, beginning of flowering period and full bloom date than Celebration in the two seasons of the study. Pioneer was superior in initial and final fruit set % compared to Celebration cultivar. Days from full bloom till maturity ranged from 70 to 86 days for studied cultivars. SincePioneer were also earlier in fruit maturity than Celebration. The yield in kilograms / tree was higher for Pioneer than Celebration cultivars. No significant differences in fruit, flesh and pit weights between Pioneer and Celebration cultivars were found. Fruit firmness was ranged between the two cultivars (3.56 - 4.31 Lb/inch2). Brix ° ranged from 12.95 to 14.25 % for the two tested cultivars since acidity ranged from 0.91 to 1.00 %. Celebration plum cultivar revealed the highest Brix °/acid ratios as compared with Pioneer plum cultivar.It could be concluded that pioneer plum cultivar are considered as promising cultivar under Egypt conditions due to their precocity, high initial fruit set, high yield and early fruit ripening and good fruit qualityproperties, with the exception of firmness.