Physical, chemical and sensory characteristics of Japanese-type plums grown in Georgia and Alabama

The physical, chemical and sensory characteristics of 15 plum cultivars and selections grown at Byron, GA and Clanton. AL in 1989 and 1990 were investigated. Selection BY68-1262 produced significantly larger fruit than the other plum cultivars and selections evaluated followed by 'AU-Rubrum' and 'Rubysweet', 'Methley' fruit was the smallest. Hue angle values ranged from 105 degrees for 'Byrongold', a yellow-skin cultivar, to 6 degrees for 'BY68-1262, a deep-purple skin selection. Average firmness of the maturity 2 plums was 25 N. Mean chemical compositions for all cultivars were as follows: soluble solids--127 g kg-1; acidity--174.4 g kg-1; soluble solids to acidity ratio--7.4, and total sugar content--96 g kg-1. Hedonic scores and 'just right' percentages showed that panelists preferred 'Rubysweet' and 'Segundo' plums harvested in 1989 and BY7407-6, 'AU-Amber' and BY68-98 plums harvested in 1990. 'AU-producer' had the lowest hedonic score. 'Robusto' and 'AU-Rosa' had the highest mean peel bitterness rating.