ABSTRACT
Plums have the greatest diversity of all stone fruits and rank next to the peach in commercial production. Breeding programs for peaches and nectarines in humid areas actively screen for disease resistance. Peaches and nectarines are adapted to tropical, subtropical, and temperate zone areas but individual cultivars usually have a limited range of best performance. Disease resistance is important in the regional adaptability of plums. Peaches, nectarines, and plums are high in fiber and of the 12 most nutritious fruits rank within the middle percentile. Of the 15 species of plums used for fruit production in the world, the most important fresh market species is the Japanese plum noted for good size, attractiveness, firmness, and good keeping qualities. Fruit quality, storage characteristics, and shelf life of fresh market peaches and nectarines depend upon cultivar and cultural practices. Processing of plums consists of either freezing, canning, juicing, preserves, or drying (prunes).
