Evaluation of pioneer and hollywood plum cultivars under sandy soil conditions in Egypt [electronic resource]

Includes bibliographic reference

This investigation was conducted for two successive seasons (2013/2014 and 2014/2015) in a
private orchard in Regwa district at Giza qovernorate, Egypt to evaluate mature trees of "Pioneer and
Hollywood" plum cultivars budded on "Nemagard" rootstock. The chosen trees were seven years old,
grown in a sandy soil, spaced at 4 X 4 meters apart, irrigated by the drip system. The results revealed
that Pioneer was earlier than Hollywood with regard to the phenological studies, which was three to
four days earlier for onset of flowering, full bloom and onset of fruit set dates, due to less chilling
requirements of Pioneer trees than Hollywood trees to end the dormancy period. While, Pioneer cv.
recorded higher number of days from full bloom till maturity date (71& 91days) and Hollywood cv.
recorded (61 & 83 days) in the both seasons respectively. Hollywood trees were in an upright form
with pink blossoms, dark purple foliage, medium-sized and round fruit with rich flavor and blood-red
flesh and skin. Pioneer trees were in a spread form with white blossoms, green foliage, bright red skin
and the a pale yellow flesh. Regarding the vegetative growth traits, it was noticed that Hollywood cv.
attained the highest significant values of shoot diameter and length, leaf number, leaf area and total
chlorophyll as compared to Pioneer in both seasons. With respect to yield attributes and fruit
physiochemical characteristics, Pioneer cv. was the significant highest values of yield, fruit weight and
dimensions, whereas Hollywood cv. had significantly the highest percentage of the total soluble solids
and the lowest percentage of acidity in both seasons. Concerning histological studies, the two
cultivars showed similar levels of partially self-incompatible. Pioneer cv. had a higher degree of
partial self-incompatibility than Hollywood cv. So, they need additional cultivars as pollinators for
good growing and fruiting. As for the storability, it was clear that Pioneer and Hollywood fruits kept a
good characteristics, expressed decrease of fruit weight loss and improvement of fruits physical and
chemical characteristics, including the increase of fruit color, total soluble solids and the decrease of
juice acidity during cold storage period at 2 °C and 90-95 % RH for three weeks. Therefore, the
widespread cultivation of these two cultivars in Egypt is recommended.

Summary in Arabic