'Amarillo' the first Philippine yellow variety of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.)

Issue Date

8-2009

Abstract

On-site selection and evaluation of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) trees grown from seeds located in Laguna, Batangas and Cavite, Philippines were conducted to identify superior individual trees for variety release and registration. Three best selections were identified out of 100 individual trees evaluated preliminarily for various horticultural characteristics. After another two succeeding evaluation periods, one selection out of the three in indeed outstanding in terms of fruit qualities, and unique in terms of fruit color. This selection was released as a variety called 'Amarillo' named after its attractively unique golden yellow fruit color that is similar with the flower color of the Amarillo or marigold (Tagetes erecta) ornamental plant. 'Amarillo' is the first yellow rambutan with unknown parentage registered with the National Seed Industry Council. The fruit is oblong, weighs 18.38 g and measures 52.65 mm long and 36.89 mm wide. The skin and spines are thick and leathery. The flesh is white, juice, smooth, separates quite easily from the seed and very sweet (22.35˚Bx). The fruit has a relatively large edible portion (60.7%). The seed is oblong and measures 25.40 mm long, 14.60 mm wide and 5.70 mm thick. The tree is vigorous, an annual and regular bearer, has a semi-upright growth habit with a fruiting season from July to September. The original 'Amarillo' tree, that is 10 yr old , yields 50-60 kg of marketable fruits in one fruiting season.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Crop Science

ISSN

0115-463x

Volume

34

Issue

2

Page

93-97

Document Type

Article

Frequency

tri-quarterly

Physical Description

table, picture

Language

English

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