Performance of Plum (Prunus salicina L.) Genotypes in Subtropical North-Western India (Punjab)

The present investigations were carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2022-2023. Plants of seven plum genotypes were evaluated for their vegetative, flowering, fruiting, and yield characteristics. Maximum tree height and tree volume was in genotype Manake Lalri. Fruit maturity of existing cultivars of Punjab (Satluj Purple and Kala Amritsari) coincided with Frontier and Sharps Early. Genotype Sharps Early recorded maximum fruit set and high fruit retention. The time of harvesting of existing cultivars of Punjab - Satluj Purple and Kala Amritsari (pollinizer) almost coincided with genotypes Frontier and Sharps Early (1^st fortnight of May). Apart from Kala Amritsari, other self-compatible genotypes were Sharps Early, Frontier, Manake Lalri, and Kataru Chak. Genotypes Frontier, and Manake Lalri exhibited freestone characteristic. Fruit yield was highest in Kala Amritsari followed by Satluj Purple, Frontier and Sharps Early. Fruit weight was maximum in Satluj Purple followed by Frontier and Sharps Early. Plum genotypes Sharps Early and Frontier are self-compatible, performed better than other genotypes in terms of maturity, yield and fruit quality and can be further evaluated under Punjab conditions.