Morphological characterization of indigenous cultivars of plum in in situ conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Inventory of plum germplasm was carried out in the northwestern part of the Republic of Srpska (BiH) through the activities of the Working Group for Fruits and Vines, within the Programme for conservation of plant genetic resources of the Republic of Srpska. The study of the plum germplasm which is located in in situ conditions was carried out in order to describe morphological characteristics of the fruits and leafs and to start with evaluation process and to conserve them in the on farm and ex situ conditions. A total seven plum accessions were inventoried and fruits and leaves were collected up and studied during two years as follows: ‘Bjelica’, ‘Durgulja’, ‘Prskulja’, ‘Savka’, ‘Verićka durgulja’, ‘Unknown name 1’ and ‘Unknown name 2’. Following parameters were analysed: length and width of fruit and stalk as well as the weight of the fruit and the length and width of leaf blade and leaf stalk. All cultivars had very small fruits (under 30 g), but three cultivars are interesting for further resereach (‘Durgulja’, ‘Verićka durgulja’, and ‘Bjelica’). It is necessary for further studies to determine the degree of genetic similarity as well as biochemical parameters in order to separate accessions with unique genetic profile, high nutrition value and possible traits for breeding, but also for on farm conservation and cultivation.