Novel mechanical weeders will be demonstrated to growers at the first Plum Demonstration Center open event funded by AHDB and hosted by NIAB EMR.
The early results of a trial to demonstrate plums grown on new rootstocks will also be shared at the event in Kent. Victoria grown on Wavit and five other promising rootstocks are included. Findings to help growers, including soil health assessments, worm counts, comparative yields, pruning and labor costs will be available in the training trial.
On the 31 October, two varieties bred by NIAB EMR and now included in the Plum Demonstration Centre will also be available for growers to view. An area is also being planted with 23 new varieties to demonstrate how the season can be extended from July to October.
“The best way to help growers decide if they should adopt new technology or use a different growing system is to demonstrate it in the field. I am confident the open day will provide growers with a platform to put this research into practice and have some interesting discussions,” said Scott Raffle, our Knowledge Exchange Manager.
“Two additional areas of the orchard will demonstrate a range of tree architecture for Victoria and an area under protection to demonstrate the differences between outdoor and protected cropping. It truly is research in practice, to help growers make future investment decisions.”
Through the center of excellence for plums, NIAB EMR and AHDB aim to establish and lead growers to implement best practice ensuring efficiency and consistency is achieved within their businesses, ensuring resources are not wasted.
Chairman of the AHDB Tree Fruit Panel, Rob Saunders said: “This is the first opportunity growers will have to visit the Plum Demonstration Centre. NIAB EMR can accommodate a range of different growing systems and interventions and more importantly record the results.”
The orchard has been planted by NIAB EMR in partial fulfilment of an Innovate UK (IUK) research project on ‘Sustainable increase of UK plum production’ and will include plots to demonstrate several themes in the project designed to extend the production season and improve plum profitability in the UK.
Rob continued: “This will be a valuable resource shining a light into the opportunities that exist for this relatively neglected crop”.
The event is also an opportunity to demonstrate the results of other AHDB funded orchard research including earwig-safe spray programs, best practice in Spotted Wing Drosphila control and soil management.
For more information: 
AHDB
Tel: +44 024 7669 2051
Email: info@ahdb.org.uk
www.ahdb.org.uk