Performance of five mume (Prunus mume) cultivars in Southern Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Five cultivars of fruiting mume (Prunus mume Sieb. and Zucc.) were evaluated in subtropical and temperate Queensland over five years. The Japanese cultivars ‘Nankou’ and ‘Bungo’ and the Taiwanese cultivars ‘Dahching’, ‘Ellching’ and ‘Ianji’ were grown at Stanthorpe (800 to 1,200 chill units). ‘Dahching’, ‘Ellching’ and ‘Ianji’ were trialled at Nambour (150 to 300 chill units). Data were collected for flowering date, yield, fruit weight, fruit soluble solids, fruit acidity and trunk circumference. All cultivars fruited but at Stanthorpe frost damage during flowering reduced potential yields of the Japanese cultivars. The highest cumulative yield was 52.4 kg/tree for ‘Ianji’ at Stanthorpe. ‘Bungo’ and ‘Nankou’ produced the largest fruit averaging 33 g and 24 g respectively in 2008. Performance of the cultivars at the two sites is discussed in relation to their potential uses in processed foods.