Selection of large, blue and sweet European plums for the "Lazoet" concept
2013
Meijer, H. | Elk, P van | Dieren, M.C.A van | Heijerman-Peppelman, G. | Maas, F.M.
More than 95% of the production of European plums in the Netherlands is for fresh fruit consumption. Production is dominated by two cultivars: 'Victoria' and 'Opal'. The total harvest period of Dutch-grown plums is about eleven weeks, starting in the first half of July with the cultivar 'Opal'. This is also the main consumption period for local plums. During the rest of the year plums are imported. Based on consumer preference for big, sweet, blue-colored plums, a series of blue-colored cultivars was selected with different harvesting periods to extend the production season for good, similar looking and tasting plums with good production and shelf life characteristics. With these new cultivars an overall production and marketing period of about 12 weeks can be achieved and the cultivars are marketed as fitting the "Lazoet" concept. The first commercial orchards with these new 'Lazoet' cultivars were planted in 2007 and 2008. In 2012 the total area of 'Lazoet'-plums in the Netherlands has increased to about 10 ha, mostly planted as high density orchards (~ 3 x 1.25 m, 2666 trees/ha), representing approximately 3% of the total plum area). The Greenery, the cooperative auction in charge of the 'Lazoet' club cultivar concept, strives for an expansion of the production area of 'Lazoet' plums into 25% of the total plum production area. From 2006-2011 we tested ~50 cultivars for their suitability for fitting into the concept. In this paper we present traits of five selected culivars. At present we are still looking for suitable cultivars that fit into the "Lazoet" concept and further expand the harvest period. In addition, research is focused on new training and cultivation methods to improve yield and fruit quality in high density plum orchards.
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