PERFORMANCE OF SOME PLUM CULTIVARS GROWING IN THE HIMALAYAN TRACT OF DARJEELING

S.K. MAHATO¹, SARAD GURUNG², BINOY CHHETRI³*
¹Regional Research Station (Hill Zone), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya Kalimpong, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734301, India
²Regional Research Station (Hill Zone), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya Kalimpong, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734301, India
³Regional Research Station (Hill Zone), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya Kalimpong, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734301, India
* Corresponding Author : yonib2050@gmail.com

Received : 03-08-2015     Accepted : 27-08-2015     Published : 21-11-2015
Volume : 7     Issue : 10       Pages : 703 - 706
Int J Agr Sci 7.10 (2015):703-706

Keywords : Plum, cultivar, Darjeeling, yield, quality
Academic Editor : Dr B. S. Sowmyalatha, Dr K. Vijaya Rachel, Naqvi Nikhat, Dr. Ashok K. Pandey, R. K. Mathukia
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : None declared

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the plum cultivar growing in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Among the seven different plum cultivars viz. Alaucha Yellow, Durado, Green Gauge, Formosa, Lamahatta, Santa Rosa and Victoria, the cvs. Formosa and Victoria mature early (end of June). The fruit set percentage was also highest in cv. Victoria (61.50%). The average fruit weight was highest in cv. Green Gauge (57.11 g). Maximum length (7.50 cm) and diameter (4.75 cm) of fruit were recorded in cv. Formosa. However, the yield per plant was recorded highest in cv. Victoria (72.42 kg) followed by Formosa (65.69 kg). The fruits of Green Gauge showed maximum amount of total soluble solids (13.50%), reducing sugar (3.61%) and a fairly higher amount of acidity (1.20%). The TSS/acid ratio of fruit was found highest in cv. Formosa (12.71). From the present investigation, it may be suggested that plum cv. Formosa is the suitable cultivar, which showed a high yield potential and good fruit quality in Darjeeling region.