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Culture and fruit quality of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) in the Soconusco region, Chiapas, Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 December 2004

Eva Johanna Maria Vanderlinden ,
H. Alfred Juergen Pohlan  and
Marc J.J. Janssens
Eva Johanna Maria Vanderlinden
Affiliation:
Hogeschool Gent, Voskenslaan 270, 9000 Gent, Belgium
H. Alfred Juergen Pohlan
Affiliation:
Ecosur, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Carretera Antiguo Aeropuerto km 2,5, Apdo. Postal 36, CP 30700 Tapachula, Chiapas, México
Marc J.J. Janssens
Affiliation:
Universität Bonn, Institut für Gartenbauwissenschaft, Auf dem Hügel 6, 53121 Bonn, Germany
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Abstract

Introduction. In Mexico, the rambutan is not a well-known fruit tree, but it has great potential for its establishment and development in the Soconusco region because of the local good agro-ecological conditions for the production of its fruit. Currently, there are already 200 ha of plantations in the region with a good adaptation and a rewarding yield. Rambutan history, cultivation practices, post-harvest operation and commercialisation in the Soconusco region were studied to identify the possibilities of an expansion of the species. In particular, the work aimed at identifying different varieties inside the rambutan orchards. Materials and methods. Four areas were studied from a survey in 14 farms. Different parameters of fruit quality were analysed (ten trees sampled per farm): fruit diameter, fruit length, rind colour, spintern appearance, aril diameter, aril length, aril weight, flesh colour, flavour, succulence, adherence of flesh, and presence of pests and diseases. Results. Fruit quality was dissimilar for the four studied areas. Among the different fruit samples collected, it appeared that the environment and cultivation management play an important role in fruit size. The diversity of varieties planted in the different sites was determined by clustering analyses. Independent of their site of origin, at least six well-defined cluster classes could be identified. Conclusion. Fruit weight, spintern appearance and colour, as well as fruit diameter and aril to fruit weight appeared to be good indicators to identify fruit quality. The clustering analyses showed that there is a wide range of overlapping varieties to be found in the Soconusco region. Six major varietal groups were identified. Further varietal differentiation and characterisation of rambutan in the Soconusco region will be necessary for a better establishment of this fruit tree crop.

Keywords

MexicoNephelium lappaceumproduction locationcultivationfruitsqualitymarket intelligencevarietiesMexiqueNephelium lappaceumlocalisation des productionspratique culturalefruitsqualitéinformation sur le marchévariété
Type
Research Article
Information
Fruits , Volume 59 , Issue 5 , September 2004 , pp. 339 - 350
Copyright
© CIRAD, EDP Sciences

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