Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mayaguez, Puerto Rico » Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #276763
Title: Yield and Fruit Quality Traits of Mamey Sapote Cultivars 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: 1/23/2012
Publication Date: 4/20/2012
Citation: Goenaga, R.J., Jenkins, D.A. 2012. Yield and Fruit Quality Traits of Mamey Sapote Cultivars Grown at two Locations in Puerto Rico. HortTechnology. 22:263-267.

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 mamey sapote. Little is known about the performance of mamey sapote cultivars grown in the tropics and subtropics. This study was conducted to evaluate yield performance and fruit quality traits of six mamey sapote cultivars grown in replicated trials in two agroenvironments. There was a significant difference in number and weight of fruit per hectare between locations averaging 25,929 fruit/ha and 16,527 kg/ha, respectively at Corozal and 17,887 fruit/ha and 11,920 kg/ha at Isabela. At both locations cultivar Pantin had relatively high yield, above-average soluble solids concentration values, and adequate fruit size and weight for domestic and export markets (650-900 grams) making this cultivar suitable for planting at various agroenvironments typical of the humid tropics. This study provides for the first time information from replicated trials on yield and fruit quality traits of various mamey sapote cultivars that should be useful to Extension Agents and growers.

Technical Abstract: The demand for tropical fruits has increased significantly during the last decade as consumers seek healthy and more diverse food products. There is a lack of formal experimentation to determine yield performance and fruit quality traits of mamey sapote cultivars. Six mamey sapote cultivars (Copan, Magaña, Mayapan, Pace, Pantin, Tazumal) grown on an Ultisol and on Oxisol soils were evaluated for 5 years at Corozal and Isabela, PR, respectively. There was a significant difference in the number and weight of fruit per hectare between locations, averaging 25,929 fruit/ha and 16,527 kg.ha-1, respectively, at Corozal and 17,887 fruit/ha and 11,920 hg.ha-1 at Isabela. ‘Tazumal’ had the highest 5-year mean for number and weight of fruit per hectare, but fruit of this cultivar was very small and contained several seed which could reduce its marketability. At Corozal, cultivars Tazumal and Magaña had significantly higher fruit yield per hectare than the rest of the cultivars whereas ‘Magaña’, ‘Tazumal’ and ‘Pantín’ had the highest fruit yield at Isabela. At both locations ‘Pantin’ had relatively high yield, above-average soluble solids concentration values, and adequate fruit size and weight for domestic and export markets (650-900 grams) making this cultivar suitable for planting at various agroenvironments typical of the humid tropics.