The Niab Plum Demonstration Centre (PDC) operated between 2015-2025. Here we summarise the key findings in the variety trial.
The most recently planted orchard at the PDC is a variety trial. Containing 23 varieties and numbered selections that spread the season from early July to October, yields per tree were recorded in 2022 and 2023.
At the time of writing, fruit was still being picked in 2024. Following the IUK-funded project, three other trial orchards were planted by commercial growers in Kent to showcase different plum varieties; AC Hulme & Sons (early varieties), Highwood Pluckley Ltd (late varieties) and GH Dean (varieties with high yield and quality potential). All three growers share their experiences and findings with the consortium.
Varieties in trial at the Niab Plum Demonstration Centre
| Variety | Cropping season | Variety | Cropping season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herman | Early July | Top Five | Late August |
| Katinka | Mid July | Victoria | Late August |
| Malling Elizabeth | Mid July | Haroma | Early September |
| Juna | Mid July | Seneca | Early September |
| Meritare | Late July | Marjory | Early September |
| P6-19 | Late July | Top Taste | Mid September |
| Opal | Early August | Coe's Golden Drop | Mid September |
| Lancelot | Mid August | Laxton's Delicious | Mid September |
| Avalon | Mid August | Top Hit | Mid September |
| Jubileum (Jubilee) | Mid August | Haganta | Late September |
| Reeves | Mid August | Top End | Late September |
| Ferbluee | Late August |
Average accumulated yields per tree over seasons 2022 and 2023 from 11-16 trees of each variety were shared with visitors at Fruit Focus. At East Malling, the highest three yields have been produced so far from Tophit (31.3 kg/tree), Jubileum (20.5 kg/tree) and Victoria (20.1 kg/tree) although it is too early to draw conclusions from only two years of data.
When Victoria yields were compared to other varieties at each of the commercial variety trial sites, it outperformed them all by a considerable margin over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, although the results could not be statistically analysed and neither Tophit nor Jubileum were included on our grower partner sites.
Other key findings
Rootstock/Tree Architecture Pruning and Tree Management Irrigation
The Plum Best Practice Guide
The Guide brings together information on plum production into one place and develop from that information recommendations for best practice in the UK.