Compositional Response of Plum (Prunus Domestica L.) Fruits to Different Grown Locations

This study investigated the influence of two different grown locations (300 and 550 m altitudes) on the fruit biochemical profile of seven plum cultivars developed in a breeding program at the Fruit Research Institute, Čačak (Republic of Serbia) and ‘Stanley’ as a standard cultivar. In the present results, significant differences were observed in the biosynthesis of chemical compounds and biological activity between fruits from the various cultivars, but also from the same cultivars, grown at different altitudes. As altitude increased, the accumulation of glucose, sucrose, citric acid, ascorbic acid and anthocyanins decreased in the fruits, whereas fructose, malic acid, phenolics and flavonoid concentrations increased. The research also indicated lower antioxidant and cytotoxic potential in the fruits (up to 20.61 and 22.92% of the total variation, respectively) grown at 550 m altitude compared to fruits grown at 300 m. In addition, the composition and quality of fruits varied remarkably depending on the genetic background of the cultivar. Principal component analysis (PCA) was able to discriminate biochemical components not only by the genetic predisposition of cultivar but also by altitudes. The results indicated the existence of differences in the biochemical profile of plum fruits, grown at different altitudes, which can be useful determinants when choosing an appropriate location for establishing commercial plum orchards and obtaining the desired quality fruits.