Main physical and chemical traits of fresh fruits of promising plum hybrids (Prunus domestica L.) from Cacak (Western Serbia)

Abstract

The main physical traits and chemical organic and inorganic composition of seven promising F-1 plum hybrids and three commercial cultivars (their parents as control cultivars) were investigated under western Serbian conditions. Out of the studied materials, the P-4 hybrid had the best values for fruit mass (57.62 +/- 2.11 g), flash ratio (97.13 +/- 1.55%), soluble solids (19.20 +/- 1.30 degrees Brix), fructose (3.05 +/- 0.19%) and total sugars content (11.78 +/- 0.34%). This hybrid also had the highest content of N (0.89 +/- 0.02%), K (1.71 +/- 0.04%) and Mg (0.26 +/- 0.04%). The all plum promising hybrids and control cultivars contained high K values. The P-4, P-2 and P-3 hybrids were more suitable for drying than the others because of higher soluble solids and total sugar content. The P-6, P-5, and P-1 were considered less suitable for canning than the other selections because of lower soluble solids and sugars content. Also, P-4 was more suitable for fresh consumption because of high organic and mineral content. More of the promising newly-breed hybrids have better fruit quality attributes when compared with control cultivars.