Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production
HORMA 201 - M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture
UNIT II: Plums, peach, apricot, cherries, hazlenut
Table of Contents
Commercial varieties of regional, national and international importance,
Ecophysiological requirements, recent trends in propagation, rootstock influence,
planting systems, cropping systems, root zone and canopy management, nutrient
management, water management, fertigation, bioregulation, abiotic factors limiting fruit
production, physiology of flowering, fruit set and development, abiotic factors limiting
production, physiological disorders-causes and remedies, quality improvement by
management practices; maturity indices, harvesting, grading, packing, precooling,
storage, transportation and ripening techniques; industrial and export potential, Agri Export Zones(AEZ) and industrial support.
Chapter 5 -
🍑 PLUM (Prunus spp.)
🔹 1. Commercial Varieties (Regional, National & International Importance)
Types:
- European plum (Prunus domestica) – Mostly for processing (e.g., drying/prunes)
- Japanese plum (Prunus salicina) – Mostly for table use; more popular in India
Important Varieties:
India:
- Japanese types: Kala Amritsar, Satluj Purple, Alu Bokhara, Beauty, Frontier, Titron
- European types (in higher altitudes): Grand Duke, Victoria, Santa Rosa, Greengage
International:
- Methley, Mariposa, Santa Rosa (California)
- Stanley, Damson (Europe)
Cultivated Regions in India: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, J&K, Punjab, and NEH states
🔹 2. Ecophysiological Requirements
- Climate: Temperate to sub-temperate; requires chilling 500–1,000 hours (depending on cultivar)
- Temperature: Ideal range 0–35°C (flower damage above 35°C)
- Soil: Deep loamy soil, pH 6.0–7.5; well-drained; tolerant to heavier soils compared to other Prunus
- Altitude:
- Japanese plums: 900–1,500 m
- European plums: >1,500 m
- Japanese plums: 900–1,500 m
- European plums: >1,500 m
🔹 3. Recent Trends in Propagation
- Propagation by tongue grafting or T-budding on peach or plum rootstocks
- Micropropagation gaining interest in elite cultivar production
- Softwood grafting used in nurseries
🔹 4. Rootstock Influence
- Peach seedling: Common in N. India
- Myrobalan B: Drought and nematode resistant; vigorous
- St. Julien A/B: Semi-dwarfing
- Plum seedling: Local, vigorous
- Rootstock impacts: Vigour, precocity, fruit size, drought tolerance, disease resistance
🔹 5. Planting Systems
- Normal spacing: 6–7 m (low-density), 3x2 m (high-density)
- Systems: Square or rectangular layout
- Training: Modified central leader or open center
🔹 6. Cropping Systems
- Intercropping in early years with legumes or vegetables
- Mixed orchards: With apricot, peach, or pear
🔹 7. Root Zone & Canopy Management
- Mulching helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Pruning:
- Summer pruning → better light, air, and fruit quality
- Winter pruning for shape and rejuvenation
🔹 8. Nutrient Management
- FYM: 20–30 kg/tree/year
- NPK application based on age and soil test
- Foliar sprays of Zn, B, Ca essential for fruit quality
🔹 9. Water Management
- Moderate water requirement
- Irrigation critical during flowering, fruit development, and post-harvest
- Avoid water stagnation → root rot
🔹 10. Fertigation
- Drip irrigation + fertigation effective in HDP
- Use of water-soluble NPK fertilizers through drip
🔹 11. Bioregulation
- GA₃: To delay leaf fall, enhance fruit set
- NAA: For thinning, fruit drop control
- Ethephon: To advance ripening
🔹 12. Abiotic Factors Limiting Production
- Frost (late spring): Damages flowers
- High summer temperatures: Fruit sunburn
- Hailstorms: Severe damage to immature fruit
- Waterlogging: Root diseases like collar rot
🔹 13. Physiology of Flowering, Fruit Set & Development
- Flowering: Late February–March
- Pollination: Self-incompatibility in many cultivars → 2+ varieties required
- Pollinators: Honeybees vital
- Fruit set: Improved by hormonal balance and irrigation
🔹 14. Physiological Disorders: Causes & Remedies
🔹 15. Quality Improvement by Management
- Proper nutrient management (Ca, B, Zn)
- Thinning of fruit to reduce load
- Pruning for light distribution
- Drip + mulching + fertigation improves sugar content
🔹 16. Maturity Indices
- Color change: Green → yellow/reddish
- Softening of fruit
- Days from full bloom: 90–120 (variety-dependent)
- TSS: 12–18°Brix (table), 20+°Brix (processing)
🔹 17. Harvesting, Grading, Packing
- Hand harvesting during cool hours
- Grading by size, shape, colour
- Packing: CFB boxes with paper lining or molded trays
🔹 18. Pre-cooling, Storage, Transport
- Precooling to 0–2°C immediately after harvest
- Storage:
- Temp: –0.5 to 0°C
- RH: 90–95%
- Shelf life: 3–6 weeks (depending on cultivar)
- Transport: Refrigerated vans essential for distant markets
🔹 19. Ripening Techniques
- Ripens best at 20–25°C
- Can use ethylene (100–150 ppm) for uniform ripening
- Avoid over-ripening during transport
🔹 20. Industrial & Export Potential
- Used in jams, jellies, juice, dried plums (prunes – especially from European types)
- High-value processed products → good potential for FPO/SME sector
- Export to Middle East, Southeast Asia
🔹 21. Agri Export Zones (AEZ) & Industrial Support
- Himachal Pradesh and J&K → AEZ for temperate fruits
- APEDA, NHB, and MoFPI offer support for:
- Cold storage
- Processing units
- Pack houses
- Logistics infrastructure
Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production- Click here for all unit notes
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