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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mayaguez, Puerto Rico » Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #262524
Title: Yield and fruit quality traits of rambutan cultivars grafted onto a common rootstock and grown at two locations in Puerto Rico

Author
item Goenaga, Ricardo
item Jenkins, David

Submitted to: HortTechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/7/2011
Publication Date: 2/1/2011
Citation: Goenaga, R.J., Jenkins, D.A. 2011. Yield and fruit quality traits of rambutan cultivars grafted onto a common rootstock and grown at two locations in Puerto Rico. HortTechnology. 21:136-140.

Interpretive Summary: The globalization of the economy, increased ethnic diversity and a greater demand for healthy and more diverse food products have opened a window of opportunity for the commercial production and marketing of tropical fruit, including rambutan. Little is known about the performance of rambutan cultivars grown in the tropics and subtropics. This study was conducted to evaluate yield performance and fruit quality traits of eight rambutan cultivars grown in replicated trials in two agroenvironments. There was a significant difference in number and weight of fruit per hectare between locations averaging 415,103 fruits.ha-1 and 13,826 kg.ha-1, respectively at Corozal and 167,504 fruit.ha-1 and 5,149 kg.ha-1 at Isabela. Cultivar R-162 had higher number and weight of fruit per hectare and high soluble solids concentration at both locations making it suitable for planting in various agroenvironments particularly on Ultisols typical of the humid tropics. This study provides for the first time useful information to Extension Agents and growers about yield and fruit quality traits of various rambutan cultivars.

Technical Abstract: The globalization of the economy, increased ethnic diversity and a greater demand for healthy and more diverse food products have opened a window of opportunity for the commercial production and marketing of tropical fruit, including rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum). There is a lack of formal experimentation to determine yield performance and fruit quality traits of rambutan cultivars. Eight rambutan cultivars - Benjai, Gula Batu, Jitlee, R-134, R-156Y, R-162, R-167, and Rongren - grown on an Ultisol and an Oxisol were evaluated for 5 years at Corozal and Isabela, respectively. There was a significant difference in number and weight of fruit per hectare between locations averaging 415,103 fruits/ha and 13,826 kg.ha-1, respectively at Corozal and 167,504 fruit/ha and 5,149 kg.ha-1 at Isabela. At Corozal, ‘R162’ had the highest 5-year mean for number and weight of fruit per hectare but this cultivar was not significantly different than the rest except for ‘Benjai’ and ‘R-156Y’ which had significantly lower values. At Isabela, cultivars Gula Batu and R-162 had significantly higher number of fruit per hectare but the latter was not different from ‘Benjai’. Overall, there were no differences in soluble solids concentration except for cultivars Gula Batu and R-156Y which had significantly lower values at both locations. Cultivar R-162 had higher number and weight of fruit per hectare and high soluble solids concentration at both locations making it suitable for planting in various agroenvironments particularly on Ultisols typical of the humid tropics.