Amount of Production; Our country's production of plums is about 305,000 tons of the world production and it comes in fifth place in plumes production in the world .Where China takes the first place in producing about 6,000,000 tons followed by Serbia,Romania.Chile.
Climate and Soil Requirements; Japan group plums' resistance to cold is lower than the European Group plums. As the European plums blossom later, they are less affected from the late frosts of spring. Japan plums are more selective compared to European groups and alluvial and permeable, PH 6.5-7.2 soils are the most appropriate ones..
European and Green group plums can be grown in heavy textured soils. Green group plums are the best for the climate conditions. Branches and trunks of European and Green group plums resist up to -25 to -30 C0 in winter while the Japan type plums are damaged in -20 C0 and their flowers are damaged in 0.6 - 2.2 C0. Japan Group plums can be planted in Aegean, Marmara, Mediterranean, and Southern Regions up to 800 meters of altitude. Cooling requirements of the plums under this group change between 550 to 800 hours. European Group can be planted in passing and interior areas. Cooling requirements of European Group is between 800-1250 hours.
Use of Rootstock; Generative rootstocks are preferred in plums but in recent years a big demand is seen for the stocks on clone rootstocks. Myrobalan clone rootstocks are the most common plum rootstocks, Myrobalan 29C is a semi-dwarf rootstock. Saint Julien- A, Marianna, MR.S- 2/5 rootstocks are among the important plum rootstocks. Gaps on a line and gaps between the lines can be 6x5m for those on the generative rootstocks, 5x3m, 5x2.5m for semi-dwarf clone rootstocks like Myrobalan 29-C, Saint Julien, and 4x2 m and 4x1.5m for those on dwarf Pixy clone rootstock.
Cultivation System; Open Vase Shape cultivation system is the most commonly applied system. In addition V, Y(tatura) and different peak branch cultivation systems are also applied.
Important Plum Species; Green Group Plums; Papaz, Green, Havran, Aynalı, Foça, Karşıyaka Plum are the important ones in this group. They can be consumed in green ripening period. Since the green group plums can't fertilize each other, sufficient amount of fertilizers must be available in the garden.
European Group Plums; Göynük, Karagöynük, Köstendil, Üryani, D’Agen, Reine Claude Verte, R.C. Violet, R. C.d’Altan, Firenze 90, Giant, Stanley President are the famous ones. D'Agen specie is the most commonly grown species for drying in the world. President specie is the most demanded one in this group, it is suitable for transport and storing and Stanley specie should be planted as a fertilizer of this specie.
Japan Group Plums; Red Beaut, Black Beaut, Santa Rosa, Black Amber, Black Star, Formosa, Black Diamont, Fortune, Friar, Tracy Sun, Autumn Giant, Angelona are important Japan type plums. Since the Japan plums don't fertilize each other, fertilizers in sufficient amount must be planted.
Disease and Pests; Root Cancer (Agrobacterium tumefaciencs), Monilia, Plum Silver Leaf Disease, Plum Dwarf Virus (PDV), Clorotic Necrotic Ring Spot Virus (CNRV) and Porcine Parvovirus Infection (PPV) are among the important diseases while Leaf Leeches, cochineals, Red Insects, rhomboid tortrix, Plum Symphyta are the important plum pests.
