Flowering and pollination studies plum (Prunus domestica L.) under temperate conditions of India

Abstract

The present investigations were carried out under temperate conditions on six-yearold bearing plants of different plum cultivars (Burbank, Satsuma, Wickson, Sharps Early and Santa Rosa) having synchronization in their flowering period. Among the studied cultivars, earliest full bloom and end of the bloom was also recorded in Sharp’s Early i.e. 19-20th March and 25-26th March, respectively whereas Wickson was late. The duration of blooming varied from 11 days (Burbank, Sharp’s Early and Wickson) and 15 (Santa Rosa) days. Maximum pollen viability and pollen germination was recorded in Burbank (87.14 %) and Wickson (81.44 %). Under open and self-pollination, maximum fruit set (65.6 % and 41.6 %) and fruit retention (28.0 % and 21.6 %) was recorded in Wickson, respectively. Cross combination of Wickson x Satsuma observed maximum fruit set (64.8 %) whereas maximum fruit retention was recorded in cross combination Santa Rosa x Burbank (28.00 %). From the present study, it is clear that Santa Rosa and Burbank would be the best choices as both the cultivars whereas Burbank and Wickson are considered as good pollinizers.