INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF PLUM BREEDING IN FAMILY ORCHARDS BY INTRODUCING INTO THE VARIETAL ASSORTMENT OF SOME UNIVERSAL VARIETIES WITH VALUABLE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES.

The research was carried out in an orchard from Cenad village, Timis County, throughout 2021, and compared five recently introduced varieties (Topend Plus®, Topfive®, TopHit, Toptaste®, Amers) with a control variety (President). Some physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits (major diameter, minor diameter, length, weight, total soluble solids, carbohydrate content, pH, and vitamin C) as well as plum production were monitored and measured. The plum components and economic indicators differ significantly between the varieties evaluated. In the majority of the examined indicators, all five newly introduced varieties outperformed the control, indicating the necessity to change the plum varietal assortment not only to satisfy market demands, but also to meet the suitability for industrialization and obtaining jams, juices or compotes, an important criterion given the net downward trend in demand for alcoholic products derived from plums. Economic indicators must be considered for fruit breeding success, particularly in light of current market trends caused by increases in labor costs, fertilizers or pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]