Influence of the rootstock on the physical-mechanical properties of the plum fruit (Prunus domestica L.)

Abstract

The research was conducted in the experimental-production plum orchard during 2013. Some of the most important physical and mechanical properties of the fruit were investigated in three plum cultivars ('Čačanska Rana', 'Čačanska Lepotica' i 'Čačanska Najbolja') grafted on four rootstocks: one generative Myrobalan (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.) and three vegetative ones (Pixy, St. Julien A and Ferley). St. Julien A induced the highest all three fruit dimensions in 'Čačanska Najbolja', and length and thickness in 'Čačanska Lepotica'. Myrobalan and Fereley had the same effect in the 'Čačanska Rana'. St. Julien A influenced the biggest fruit firmness in 'Čačanska Najbolja' and the smallest in 'Čačanska Lepotica'.