Cultural Methods for Beach Plum ( Prunus Maritima) Fruit Production

Abstract

Beach plum ( Prunus maritimaMarsh.) is a shrub native to Atlantic coastal sand dunes from Maine to Maryland where it is subject to drought, nutrient and salt stress. Traditionally, beach plum fruit has been collected from the wild to make preserves, an activity that endures as a cultural tradition and cottage industry. Currently, the supply of fruit from wild stands does not meet the market’s demand; hence, beach plum shows promise as a new crop for growers in the Northeast U.S. In this report, we present results of a factorial experiment evaluating the effects of irrigation, mulch, and fertilizer on growth and yield of wild collected seed-grown beach plum. Growth and yield were greater in fertilized treatments and within fertilizer regime; irrigation and mulch did not increase growth or yield. Yield component analysis indicated that branches per plant, buds/branch, flowers/bud, fruit set, and diameter/fruit all had significant positive direct effects on yield (dry weight). When two seed sources were compared, precocity and the significance and magnitude of yield components differed. Buds/branch and fruit set had the strongest significant positive effects on yield, indicating that these may be traits to select for either through genetic or cultural manipulation.