Evaluation Of Minor Fruits And Nuts For The U.S. Virgin Islands

Forty species of tropical fruit and nut species were established from 1997 to 1998 at the University of the Virgin Islands, Agriculture Experiment Station on a 2- acre site with a calcareous soil of pH 7-8 Climatic conditions were an average of 1100 mm rain/year, 2SC-28C mean temperature and location at I7N and 61W The area was prepared under minimum tillage and drip irrigation with micro sprinklers installed. Field planting of trees was arranged in rows of 5 plants and included species of Achras, Annona. Anacardium, Averrhoa, Chrysophyllum, Diospyros. Eugenia, Ficus, Flacourtia. Inga, Utchi, Macadamia, Malpighia, Psidivm. Pouteria, Spondias, and Syzygium Ongoing data collection include dates of flowering, fruiting and maturity, yield and water usage Plants are monitored for pest and disease outbreaks and an application of 12-12-12 granular fertilizer made monthly Early reports indicate that several spccies showed signs of high pH-induced chlorosis symptoms and foliar analyses were taken to identify minor element nutrient deficiencies. Species that have so far adapted well to the high pH conditions include Black sapote (Diospyros), Sapodilla (Achras), Wax jambu (Syzygium), Fig (Ficus), Eggfruit (Pouteria), West Indian cherry (Malpighia), Star fruit (Averrhoa), Atemoya (Annona), and the Strawberry tree (Muntingia). Plants barely surviving are Pitomba (Eugenia), Guava (Psidium ) (Redland, Indian red and Indonesian seedless), Surinam cherry (Eugenia), and Red mombin (Spondias). Those which have gradually died out even after being twice replanted include Grumichama (Eugenia), Governor's plum (Flacourtia), Ice cream bean (Inga), Jakfruit (Artocarpus), Jaboticaba (Myrciana). Lanson (Lansium), Lychee (Litchi), and Malay apple (Syzygium) Trees that have fruited in the first year's growth are Wax jambu, Fig, Redland guava, Yellow cattley guava and Star fruit and those after two years growth Sapodilla, Indian red and Indonesian seedless guava, and Eggfruit