Progress 10/01/98 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Forty species of tropical fruit and nut species were established from 1997 to 1998 at the University of the Virgin Islands Agriculture Experiment Station on a 2-acre site with a calcareous soil of pH 7-8. The area was prepared under minimum tillage and drip irrigation with micro sprinklers installed. Field planting of trees was arranged in rows of 5 plants and included species of Annona, Anacardium, Averrhoa, Chrysophyllum, Diospyros, Eugenia, Ficus, Flacourtia, Inga, Litchi, Macadamia, Malpighia, and Pouteria. Data collection included dates of flowering, fruiting and maturity, yield and water usage. Plants were monitored for pest and disease outbreaks and an application of 12-12-12 granular fertilizer made monthly. Species that adapted well to the high pH conditions included Black sapote, Sapodilla, Wax jambu, Fig, Eggfruit, West Indian cherry, Star fruit, Atemoya and the Strawberry tree. Plants barely surviving were Pitomba, Guava (Redland, Indian red and Indonesian
seedless), Surinam cherry and Red mombin. Fruit species that showed good growth as reflected by stem diameter and plant height included Wax Jambu, West Indian Cherry, Fig, Sapodilla, Carambola and Eggfruit. Sugar content as reflected by Brix(%)was quite high for Sapodilla (20.6) and Eggfruit (24.6) as compared with the more acidic fruits such as West Indian Cherry (8.7) and the medium sweet fruits such as Fig (14.3) and Wax Jambu (11.9). In foliar analysis as expected on a calcareous soil, Ca foliar content(%)was high for most species with maximum levels occurring in Star Fruit (3.8), Gefner Atemoya (4.8) and minimum in Lanson (1.06), and Governor Plum (1.4). High Ca foliar content correlated in most cases to low levels of Mg(%)with values for Gefner Atemoya being Mg (0.22) and K (0.41), Cu (4.8 ppm), Mn (26.5 ppm), Fe (140 ppm) and chlorophyll 29 (as recorded by the Minolta Spad 501 meter). Other species showing high Ca to low minor element and chlorophyll ratio included Surinam
Cherry (Mn), Pitomba (Cu, Mn, Fe), Malay Apple (Mn, Cu), Soursop (Mn). For this reason minor elements in the form of Peters Soluble Trace Element Mix (Stem) were injected through the drip irrigation system.
Impacts
Overall this project promoted the expansion and diversification of the local tropical fruit industry. It also allowed growers to choose fruit species that are calcitrophic as against those that are calcifugic so minimizing the time and expense involved in establishing profitable fruit orchards depending on the area of the V.I. in which they are located. The excellent growth and yields of Wax Jambu, Black Sapote and Egg Fruit on a high pH soil were exhibited and fruit samples and products were well received by locals and visitors to the annual V.I. Agriculture and Food Fairs. Both the 2003 and 2005 VI Agriculture and Food Fair farmer of the year awards were given to a local farmer who cultivates 10 acres of selected minor fruits all of which have been part of the Minor Fruit and Nut Hatch Project at UVI-AES.
Publications
- Ramcharan, C. and A. Bulbulla. 1999. Evaluation of tropical minor fruits and nuts for the U.S. Virgin Islands. Proc. 34th Caribbean Food Crops Society meeting, July 25-31, Castries, St. Lucia.
- Ramcharan, C. and A. Bulbulla. 2001. Three new exotic tropical fruits for calcareous soils. Proc. 35th Caribbean Food Crops Society, July 2001,Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
- Ramcharan, C. and A. Bulbulla. 2002. Minor Fruits for the Virgin Islands. Poster presentation. 36th Caribbean Food Crops Society, July, Martinique, FWI.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The Fruit Crops Program maintained an orchard collection of minor tropical fruits suitable for growing under high pH soils of the Virgin Islands. Of the 40 species that were introduced and established 10 years ago, five species continued to perform very well on calcareous soils. These species include Wax Jambu (Syzygium samarangense), Black Sapote (Diospyros dignay), Egg Fruit (Puteria campechiana), Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) and Star Apple (Chrysophyllum caimito). These species are steadily increasing production into their fourth year of fruit bearing. The minor fruits project continued to provide yield and production data that are useful for local fruit growers who will venture in crop diversification and remain competitive. Another major activity was the maintenance of germplasm as well as propagation of banana, plantain and avocado, potential economic crops for the Virgin Islands.
Impacts
Increasing number of local growers using UVI/AES plant materials has been observed during the past year. The request for planting materials of banana, plantain and promising minor tropical fruits has also increased particularly with Star Apple and Wax Jambu. The white and purple varieties of Star Apple are in great demand among local growers. Although this is a relatively new fruit in the Virgin Islands, it has already gained favorable impact on local farmers and has excellent potential for export market.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Of the 40 species of minor fruits being evaluated, Wax Jambu (Syzygium samarangense), Black Sapote (Diospyros dignya) and Egg Fruit (Pouteria campechiana) continued to perform well in their third bearing year. Another relatively unknown tropical fruit of Central American origin, the Star Apple or Caimito, Chrysophyllum cainito, fruited for the second consecutive year. A white-fruit variety added to the already popular and prolific nature (over 300 fruits/tree) of the purple variety.
Impacts
The White Star Apple or Caimito has had a highly favorable impact on local farmers. With its ongoing good growth and yield characteristics, attractive fruit appearance, appealing tast and relatively long shelf life(>25 days), the Caimito, white and purple, has excellent potential for both the local and export markets.
Publications
- Ramcharan, C. and A. Bulbulla. 2002. Minor Fruits for the Virgin Islands. Poster presentation, Caribbean Food Crops Society Meeting, July, 2002, Martinique, FWI.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Three of the newly-introduced tropical minor fruit species have shown excellent potential on a calcareous soil (pH 8-9). Back Sapote(BS), Diospyros dignya, also called black persimmon and chocolate pudding fruit native to Mexico is the only tropical member of the Persimmon family. Seven year old trees have fruited for the last 3 years without pest/disease or nutrient deficiency problems. Yields of 100 fruits/tree with an average of 685g fruit, 75% pulp and brix of 24% were recorded with each fruit having 2 seeds. The Egg Fruit (EF), Pouteria campechiana, also from Mexico is known alternatively as canistel, yellow sapote and penny piece. In its native habitat, the EF can grow well over 15.2 m but on a calcareous soil did not grow over 3-5 m with some trees bearing in 3 years at 1.5-2.0 m. Yields averaged 70 fruits/tree with a fruit wt of 630g, width 10.3cm, length 10.9cm, 92% pulp, and a brix of 24.6%. the vigorous, pest-and nutrient deficiency-free growth of EF
coupled with its multitude of food uses has made it quite popular in the VI. The Wax Jambu (WJ) or Wax Apple, Syzygium samarangense from Malaysia and East Indies also adapted well with its short compact growth habit, pest-and nutrient deficiency-free nature and yields of 1000 fruits/tree. Fruits averaged 62g were 55cm wide and 52cm long with almost 100% pulp and 11.9% brix. The WJ proved to be an ideal substitute for its close relative the Malay Apple which does not tolerate high pH and dry local conditions.
Impacts
The excellent growth and yields of the Wax Jambu, Black Sapote and Egg Fruit on a high pH soil was demonstrated in a poster/live display and enthusiastically received by farmers and researchers at the 2001 regional Caribbean Food Crops Society meeting in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. In addition another minor fruit, the Star Apple, Chrysophyllum cainito, fruited for the first time after 5 years growth. The plum-like appearance of the purple variety and its prolific nature (over 300 fruits/tree) had a highly favorable impact on local farmers. The Star Apple's attractive appearance, good taste and relatively long shelf life (>25 days) could make this relatively unknown minor species a good potential for both the local and export markets.
Publications
- Ramcharan, C. and A. Bulbulla. 2001. Three new exotic tropical fruits for calcareous soils. In Proc. of 35th Caribbean Food Crops Society Meeting. July 2001, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Forty species of minor tropical fruits include species of Annona, Anacardium, Artocarpus, Averrhoa, Chrysophyllum, Diospyros, Eugenia, Ficus, Flacourtia, Inga, Lansium, Litchi, Malpighia, Myrciaria, Muntingia, Pouteria, Psidium, Spondias and Syzygium. Ongoing data collection include dates of flowering, fruiting and maturity, yield and water usage. Several species showed early signs of high pH-induced chlorosis symptoms and foliar analyses indicated several minor element nutrient deficiencies. Species that have so far adapted well to the high pH conditions include Black sapote, Diospyros digyna, Sapodilla, Manilkara zapota, Wax jambu, Syzygium samarangense, Fig, Ficus carica, Eggfruit, Pouteria campechiana, West Indian cherry, Malpighia glabra, Star fruit, Averrhoa carambola, Atemoya, Annona cherimola x A. squamosa and the Strawberry tree, Muntingia calabura. Plants that have barely survived include Pitomba, Eugenia luschnathiana, Guava, Psidium guajava, Surinam
cherry, Eugenia uniflora and Red Mombin Spondias purpurea. Those which have gradually died out even after being twice replanted include Grumichama, Eugenia dombey, Governor's plum, Flacourtia indica, Ice cream bean, Inga sp., Jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Jaboticaba, Myrciaria cauliflora, Lanson, Lansium domesticum, Litchi, Litchi chinensis and Malay apple, Syzygium malaccensis. Trees that fruited in the first year's growth are Wax jambu, Fig, Redland guava, Yellow cattley guava, Psidium cattleianum and Star fruit and those after two years growth Sapodilla, Indian red and Indonesian seedless guava and Eggfruit.
Impacts
This project promotes the expansion and diversification of the local tropical fruit industry. It also allows growers to choose fruit species that are calcitrophic as against those that are calcifugic so minimizing the time and expense involved in establishing profitable fruit orchards depending on the area of the V.I. in which they are located.
Publications
- Ramcharan, C. and A. Bulbulla. 2000. Evaluation of minor tropical fruits on a calcareous soil in the Virgin Islands. Abs. In Proc. of 2000 IASH Annual Meeting, Homestead, Florida.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Tropical fruit species that showed good growth as reflected by stem diameter and plant height include Wax Jambu, West Indian Cherry, Fig, Sapodilla, Carambola and Eggfruit. Considerable variation in fruit size was noted from small-fruited species such as West Indian Cherry to those with large fruits such as Eggfrut, Carambola and Sapodilla. Pulp percentage varied from 100% in Wax Jambu and Fig to lower values in the highly seeded fruits such as the Guavas and West Indian Cherry. Sugar content as reflected by Brix % was quite high for Sapodilla (20.6) and Eggfruit (24.6) as compared with the more acidic fruits such as W.I. Cherry (8.7) and the medium sweet fruits such as Fig (14.3) and Wax Jambu (11.9). These are important characteristics when fruit species are being considered for preservation or processing. As expected on a calcareous soil, Ca foliar content was high for most species with maximum levels occurring in Star Fruit (3.8%), Gefner Atemoya (4.8%) and
minimum in Lanson (1.06%), and Governor Plum (1.4%). This corresponded to low levels of Mg (0.22%) and K (0.4%), Cu (4.8 ppm), Mn (26.5 ppm), Fe (140 ppm) and chlorophyll (29 as recorded by the Minolta Spad 501 meter) for Gefner Atemoya. Other species showing high Ca to low minor element and chlorophyll ratio included Surinam Cherry (Mn), Pitomba (Cu, Mn, Fe), Malay Apple (Mn, Cu), Soursop (Mn). For this reason minor elements in the form of Peters Soluble Trace Element Mix (Stem) are being injected through the drip irrigation system. Fruits that could not tolerate high pH conditions even after being replanted 2 or 3 times included Grumichama, Governor's Plum, Ice Cream Bean, Jakfruit, Jaboticaba, Lanson, Litchi and Malay Apple. These would be eliminated from the trial and not recommended to growers. Species very tolerant to high pH soils were Black Sapote, Sapodilla, Wax Jambu, Fig, Eggfruit, West Indian Cherry, Carambola, Atemoya and the Strawberry tree. These would be high on the
list of recommended species for high pH soil sites in the V.I. Fruits that would probably do well under high fertilizer maintenance programs include Pitomba, Guava (Redland, Indian Red and Indonesian Seedless), Surinam Cherry and Red Mombin.
Impacts
This project promotes the expansion and diversification of the local tropical fruit industry. It also allows growers to choose fruit species that are calcitrophic as against those that are calcifugic so minimizing the time and expense involved in establishing profitable fruit orchards depending on the area of the Virgin Islands in which they are located.
Publications
- Ramcharan, C. and A. Bulbulla. 1999. Evaluation of tropical minor fruits and nuts for the U.S. Virgin Islands. In: Proc. of the 35th Caribbean Food Crops Society Meeting, July 25-31, 1999, Castries, St. Lucia, W.I.
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