AP reports on researchers’ efforts to increase plum production in Maine
The Associated Press reported University of Maine researchers are working on a two-year project to increase the state’s crop of locally grown plums. The project — funded by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry — is identifying suitable plum varieties for Maine’s climate that would help diversify the state’s apple farms. The project is a joint collaboration between Angela Myracle, a phytochemist and nutritional biochemist at UMaine, and Renae Moran, a tree fruit specialist with University of Maine Cooperative Extension. The team is assessing locally grown plum varieties by evaluating crop yields, fruit quality, consumer acceptance and production costs. Moran said Maine farmers are showing interest in growing another fruit crop in addition to apples, and Myracle said plums could potentially be sold during the peak tourist season in Maine. Fosters.com and The Washington Times carried the AP report.