Note: Introduction, evaluation and propagation of abiu (Pouteria caimito [Ruiz and Favan] Radlk.)

Abstract

Abiu (Pouteria caimito [Ruiz and Favan] Radlk., Sapotaceae), a native fruit tree of tropical Brazil and Peru, was successfully introduced to the Philippines as seeds from tropical Queensland, Australia in 1987. Eighteen seedlings were raised. After about 1 year in the nursery, 2 seedlings were planted at the Institute of Plant Breeding nursery site in Los Baños, Laguna and 16 at the RC Farm in Calauan, Laguna. The trees flowered and fruited for the first time 2-3 years after planting. They differed greatly in leaf and fruit characters and in proximate analysis of the fruit. Tree No. 2 was observed to be fruitful. It produced large, bright yellow, nearly globose fruits with excellent eating quality. It did not respond favorably to propagation by marcotting and inarching using canistel seedlings as rootstocks, but was successfully propagated by inarching and cleft grafting using abiu seedlings as rootstocks. In July 1995, after 3 seasons of fruit evaluation, Tree No. 2 was registered with the National Seed Industry Council under the variety name 'RCF Gold.'.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

317454

Page

168-175

Document Type

Article

Subject

Abiu, Characterization, Evaluation, Pouteria caimito, Propagation

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS