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Plum Cultivar Shipping Regime Guidelines

Keywords: dual temperature, single temperature, TSS (soluble solids), shrivel sheet, colour requirements, maturity index, PPECB protocols, cultivar guidelines

Important

  1. These are guidelines, not regulations.
  2. The optimum regime for a cultivar is determined by seasonal climatic conditions, microclimates, soil type, maturity, and packaging.
  3. The use of plastic bags must be carefully considered in terms of possible quality defects and choice of temperature regime.

Category A: Established Cultivars

Cultivar Shipping Regime Colour Shrivel Sheet / Bag
PR00-29 African Delight™ DT: PDX (10 days) (only for poorly coloured fruit as storage potential will be reduced)
ST: PD1
Minimum 80% red 54x4mm perforated bags
African Pride Sunkiss NB: bulk handling not recommended
DT: PD7
ST: PD1 not recommended
Light yellow
Angeleno/Suplum Six ST: PD1 (Also 1-MCP-treated)
DT: PD5
Black Only for long term storage
Flavorking DT: PD5
ST: PD1 (recommended only with TSS>14%)
Full colour, with flesh colour turning red Yes
Flavor Fall ST: PD1 (TSS>15% and pressure <5 kg) Purple Yes
Fortune DT: PD7
ST: PD1 (Only when fully coloured)
90% colour Yes
Lady Red DT: PD7
ST: PD1 (TSS>13%)
90% red colour Yes
Laetitia DT: PD7
ST: PD1 (Only for fully coloured fruit with TSS>13-14% and 1-MCP-treated)
Note: Laetitia should not be cooled to below 4.0°C within 24 hours and not to below 0.0°C within 48 hours
Red on yellow Yes
Larry Anne DT: PD5
ST: PD1 (Only with TSS>15%)
Dark red Yes
Pioneer NB: very high-risk following rain
*DT: PD5 or PD7 (depending on colour)
ST: not recommended
Min light red tip or yellow background
Purple Majesty DT: PD7
ST: PD1 (TSS>12%)
Purple
Ruby Red DT: PD7
ST: PD1 (Only with excellent colour and TSS>15%)
Red to dark purple Yes
Ruby Star ST: PD1 Red on yellow Yes
Ruby Sun DT: PD7
ST: PD1
Maroon or dark red Yes
Sapphire NB: high metabolism and prone to over ripeness
DT: PD5
ST: PD1 (Only with 80%-90% red colour and TSS>14%)
Min 30% red colour. Colour sort in pack house Yes
Songold NB: light penetration into tree is critical for colour development
DT: PD7 to PDX (Depending on maturity)
ST: May not be shipped at PD1
No 4 (worst coloured side of fruit) on PL19 colour chart. Colour sort in pack house
Songold (SmartFreshSM) ST: PS1 (Only if DT cycle has been completed locally)
DT: PSY (If warming takes place en route)
No 4 (worst coloured side of fruit) on PL19 colour chart. No fruit of No 8 or more Shrivel sheet or 54x2mm perforated bag
Southern Belle DT: PD7 Black Yes
Souvenir DT: PD5 or PD7
ST: PD1 (Only with 80%-90% red colour and TSS>14-15%)
Min 30% Red Yes
Sunbreeze DT: PD7 to PDX (Depending on maturity)
ST: May not be shipped at PD1
Light yellow
Sundew NB: bulk handling not recommended
DT: PD7
ST: not recommended
Light yellow
Sun Supreme (PR 93-23) DT: Strongly recommended (PD9)
ST: Not recommended
Light yellow

Category B: Licensed Cultivars

Cultivar Shipping Regime Colour Shrivel/Bag
African Rose DT or ST (PD1 when fruit are more mature) No
Black Diamond ST: PD1
DT: PD5
Yes
Black Pearl ST (PD1) or DT (PD7) Perf Bag
September Yummy ST (PD1) Perf Bag
Midnight Gold ST: PD1 Perf Bag
Fall Fiesta ST: PD1 Perf Bag
Ruby Crisp DT Yes
Black Splendor ST: PD1 Yes
Green-Red ST (PD1) or DT (PD5) Yes
Afrigold DT Yes
Red Phoenix ST (PD1) Perf bag

Category C: SmartFreshSM Treated

Cultivar Shipping Regime Colour/Notes Shrivel/Bag
Songold ST: (No 4 worst coloured side) Use shrivel
Angelino ST: PS1
Laetitia ST: PS1 (Only if DT cycle has been completed locally)

Notes

  • DT = dual temperature shipping regime
  • ST = single temperature shipping regime
  • Refer to PPECB’s temperature instructions in protocol Schedule1/HP22 and HP29 (www.ppecb.com).
  • For cultivars not listed, consult the cultivar owner for guidance.
  • For queries, contact Experico (Handré Viljoen) at 021 887 1134.

Disclaimer

This document was compiled by the Stone Fruit Technical Forum (SFTF) and serves only as a guideline. Information must be considered in the context of specific circumstances for each consignment. Many factors influence the optimum shipping regime, including production area, orchard history, fruit colour, soluble solids, firmness, fruit quality management, market needs, and seasonal factors. The SFTF cannot be held responsible for incorrect interpretation of this information.

Hortgro Postharvest All White

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Tel: +27 (0)21 870 2900
Email: info@hortgro.co.za

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