Cultivation of Plum

• Botanical Name: Prunus salicina (Japanese plum), Prunus domestica (European plum)
• Family: Rosaceae
• Origin: Temperate regions of Asia and Europe
• Uses: Consumed fresh, dried (as prunes), or processed into jams, jellies, and juices
• Nutritional Value: Rich in vitamins A and C, dietary fiber, and antioxidants

Varieties

• Early: Rubio
• Mid-Season (June – July): Hale, Gaviota, Abundance
• Late (July – August): Shiro, Kelsey, Satsuma

Note: Hale should be planted along with other varieties for better pollination and fruit set

Soil and Climate

• Soil: Red lateritic soil with good drainage and rich in organic matter
• pH: 5.8 to 6.2
• Elevation: Suitable above 1200 m

Planting Material

• One-year-old budded plants
• Planting time: June – July or October – December
• Spacing: 4 m × 4 m
• Pits: 60 cm × 60 cm × 60 cm

Planting Season; June to November

Application of Fertilizer

• FYM: 30 kg/tree/year
• N: 500 g/tree/year
• P & K: 1 kg each/tree/year (October – November)

Training and Pruning

• Growing points tipped at 50 – 60 cm height to encourage side shoots
• Open centre system
• Time: December – January
• Remove dried, dead, diseased, water shoots, and criss-cross branches

Plant Protection

Fruit Fly:

• Spray Malathion 50 EC @ 2 ml/litre or Fenthion 100 EC @ 1 ml/litre
• Set up Methyl Eugenol 1% trap + Malathion 50 EC @ 1 ml/litre between 6 – 8 a.m.

Yield and Harvesting

• Yield: Average of 25–30 kg per tree per year, depending on variety and cultivation practices
• Harvesting Season: Varies by variety; early varieties mature in May–June, while late varieties are ready by July–August