Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 3
Written by Mihaela OLARU, Cătălin-Viorel OLTENACU, Nicoleta OLTENACU, Damian DRAGOMIR, Ailin MOLOȘAG, Alexandra BARDOȘ MARȚIȘ

The fruit-growing sector in Romania faces continuous challenges related to climate variability, production efficiency, and market competitiveness, requiring farmers to adopt cultivars with high adaptability and profitability. This study analyzes the yield performance of two plum cultivars, 'Anna Späth’ and 'Stanley’, cultivated under the agroecological conditions of the Moara Domneasca Experimental Base, aiming to provide a scientific basis for economic optimization in fruit-growing farms. The data were collected during the 2024 production season, focusing on fruit yield per tree, biometric indices (fruit weight, height, diameters), physico-chemical traits (firmness, pH, soluble solids). The results indicate that 'Anna Späth' produced smaller but sweeter fruits, with an average weight of 16.5 g, mean height of 32.2 mm, and sugar content of 18.9% °Brix. In contrast, 'Stanley’ recorded larger fruits, averaging 22.9 g in weight, 42.9 mm in height, and superior firmness (2.25 kgf/cm2), though with a slightly lower sugar content of 16.5% °Brix. Morphological traits such as fruit diameters were consistently higher in 'Stanley', confirming its better structural quality and storage potential. These findings underline clear cultivar-specific differences, with 'Anna Späth’ offering a sweeter profile, while 'Stanley’ provides larger, firmer fruits more suitable for commercial markets. The findings support decision-making processes in farm management by identifying 'Stanley' as the most advantageous cultivar from an economic perspective, thus contributing to improved resource allocation and long-term sustainability in the Romanian plum sector.

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