Rambutan

Importance, morphology, ecophysiology, culture and management of Rambutan

1. WELCOME TO THE PRESENTATION Course title: Advanced Fruit Production Course code: Hort. 501 Prepared By 19Hort-JD17M • 19Hort-JD18M • 19Hort-JD19M • 19Hort-JD20M • 19Hort-JD21M Department of Horticulture Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

2. IMPORTANCE, MORPHOLOGY, ECOPHYSIOLOGY, CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF RAMBUTAN ( Nephelium lappaceum )

3. Contents Introduction Importance Morphological description Eco-physiology Cultural management Insect pest and disease management Harvesting and Yield Storage and packaging References

4. The rambutan ( Nephelium lappaceum ) is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae . The rambutan is native to the Indonesian region and other regions of tropical Southeast Asia. It is closely related to several other edible tropical fruits including the lychee, longan , and mamoncillo . The name "rambutan" is derived from the Malay word rambut meaning "hair", a reference to the numerous hairy protuberances of the fruit, together with the noun-building suffix -an. Similarly, in Vietnam, it is called chôm chôm (meaning "messy hair"). Classification of Rambutan ( Nephelium lappaceum ) Kingdom : Plantae (unranked) : Angiosperm (unranked) : Eudicots (unranked) : Rosids Order : Sapindales Family : Sapindaceae Genus : Nephelium Species : N. lappaceum Rambutan

5. Importance of Rambutan Nutrients Contents These fruits contain Carbohydrate, Protein, Fat, Phosphorous, Iron , Calcium and Vitamin C. Its skin contains tannin while the fruit contains saponin . The seeds, on the other hand, have fat and polifenol while the leaves contain tannin and saponin . Rambutan are a great tasting, healthy addition to anyone's diet, though diabetics should be aware of their high sugar content. Benefits Rambutans are very beneficial when it comes to reducing fat, making skin and hair softer, treat dysentery, treat diabetes and cure fever. This fruit is known to be one of the best fruits from Southeast Asia because of its host of health benefits.

6. Importance of Rambutan (cont..) Toxicity There are traces of an alkaloid in the seed, and the testa contains saponin and tannin. The seeds are said to be bitter and narcotic. The fruit rind also is said to contain a toxic saponin and tannin . The seed of the Rambutan should not be eaten raw due to its high level of toxicity and is also said to be narcotic. Products Rambutan is a popular garden fruit tree. Rambutan trees with their abundant colored fruit make beautiful landscape specimens. Its fruits can be processed to products like jam, jellies, cocktail, sweets and canned Rambutan . Its sweets are used for pie (as raisin), ice cream and fruit ice.

7. Morphological Description of Rambutan Trees : It is an evergreen tree growing to a height of 12–20 m. Rambutan trees can be male (producing only staminate flowers and, hence, produce no fruit), female (producing flowers that are only functionally female), or hermaphroditic (producing flowers that are female with a small percentage of male flowers). Leaves: Leaves are alternate, 10–30 cm long, pinnate, with 3- 11 leaflets, each leaflet 5–15 cm wide and 3–10 cm broad, with an entire margin.

8. Morphological Description ( cont …) Flower: The flowers are small, 2.5–5 mm, apetalous , discoidal , and borne in erect terminal panicles 15–30 cm wide. Fruit: F ruit is a round to oval single-seeded berry, 3–6 cm (rarely to 8 cm) long and 3–4 cm broad, borne in a loose pendant cluster of 10–20 together. The leathery skin is reddish (rarely orange or yellow), and covered with fleshy pliable spines, hence the name, which means 'hairs'. Furthermore, the spines (also known as spinterns ) contribute to the transpiration of the fruit, which can affect the fruit's quality. The fruit flesh, which is actually the aril, is translucent, whitish or very pale pink, with a sweet, mildly acidic flavor very reminiscent of grapes.

9. Eco-physiology of Rambutan Climate Rambutan is adapted to warm tropical climate, humid regions having well-distributed rainfall. It is grown commercially within 12–15° of the equator. Altitude The tree flourishes from sea-level to 1,600 or even 1,800 ft (500-600 m). Temperature It requires around 22–30°C temperature for optimum growth. The higher temperature (>40⁰C) also affected the growth and development of plants.

10. Eco-physiology of Rambutan (cont..) Relative Humidity The average relative humidity is 82 %. Soil Rambutan is grown successfully in wide range of soils. Well drained sandy loam to clay loam soils with organic matter are most suitable for optimum growth and yield. The optimum soil pH is 4.5 to 6.5. Rambutan needs good drainage as it is sensitive to water logging condition. The orchard in slight sloppy land has been found performing better . Rainfall The plant requires good rainfall of 200-500 cm well distributed through out the year. The heavy rainfall during maturity period causes cracking of fruits. The dry season should not last much over 3 months.

11. Varieties Victoria Roxas Arka Coorg Arun BARI Rambutan-1 BARI Rambutan - 1 High fruit yielding, regular bearer, plant large and very bushy, big sized fruit (51.4g ), very juicy, sweet (TSS-19%) and small seeded, fruit ovoid to ellipsoid, bright red, leathery rind covered with tubercles consists of soft fleshy and spines, edible portion (58%), flower initiation February to march and fruit set March to April. This variety cultivation is suitable in all region of Bangladesh.

12. Cultural management (cont..) Preparation of planting materials Select well-developed seeds from mature/ripe fruits of the recommended varieties/selection. Remove mucilage from the seeds by rubbing them with fine sawdust, ash or old newspaper. Germinate the seeds immediately after extraction in light loamy soils or in germination beds made up of sawdust. Germinated seedlings should be ready for potting in 24 days after sowing or 10 days after germination in 15 cm x 20 cm perforated plastic bags containing garden soil and place them in nursery shed. Water them immediately after planting in polyethylene bags. Then water every 2 to 3 days or as the need arises. The rootstocks would be ready for asexual propagation in 8-12 months; then 6 months from grafting, it would be ready for field planting.

13. Land preparation Clear/Underbrush and remove all stumps . Plow and harrow thoroughly to loosen the soil. Stake at a distance of 8-10 meters between hills and 8-10 meters between rows . Prepare holes 30 centimeters in diameter at a depth of 30 centimeters. Cultural management (cont..) Planting Remove plastic bag and plant the seedling into the prepared hole without breaking the ball of soil. A suitable hole must allow the young roots to spread out. In each prepared hole, place 1 kg of organic fertilizer or composted animal manure 1-2 months before planting. Cover the hole with top soil and press gently . Water the plants immediately after planting.

14. Cultural management (cont..) Fertilizer In heavy rainfall areas, the addition of trace elements may be necessary, as organic matter is quickly decomposed and leached. Additional light applications of nitrogen are required regularly when heavy bagasse mulching is used . Different doses of fertilizer at different time are given below:-

15. Cultural management (cont..) Irrigation Rambutan is a drought sensitive plant that requires plenty of water during its growing period. Water the plant constantly during the first dry season after planting because this is the most critical period of the plant . Mulching The application of dried weeds, grasses and other organic residues as a mulch around the base of both young and mature rambutan trees is a common means of retaining soil moisture, preventing weed growth, reducing soil temperature and through incorporation of decayed residues, soil fertility is increased.

16. Insects p est management Insect p est Damage Control Fruit Borer ( Conopomorpha cramerella ) Larval exudates on seed, tunneling between the rind and the aril Spray trichlorphon , carbaryl or pyrethrins Leaf-eating Loofer ( Oxyodes scrobicula ) Leaves and young shoots are eaten by the young caterpillars Spray Malathion , Carbaryl or Pyrethrin . Thrips ( Thrips spp.) Leaflets become curled, florets fall and reduces fruit setting Systemic insecticides Mealy Bug ( Planococcus citri ) Feeds on the sap exuded White oil emulsion and lime-sulfur, Spray with Malathion , Roxion Mites ( Tetranychus spp.) Inflorescences infested Spray Dimethoate

17. Diseases management Diseases Damage Control Powdery Mildew ( Oidium nepheli ) Mycelia appear as a white-yellow dusty deposit on the leaves and inflorescences, Floret drops Fungitox , Benlate , Bayleton , Benomyl and Mancozeb Sooty Mold ( Meliola nephelii ) Leaves and fruits damaged by the sucking insects such as mealy bugs, scales and red mites, Both leaves and fruits develop a black, sooty mold on the surface Carbaryl and mineral oil supplemented with benomyl Damping-off Affected most in young seedlings Spray with Benlate Leaf Spot ( Phomopsis sp.) Necrotic spots with yellow margins appear on the leaves which later turn brown Spray mancozeb

18. Harvesting Harvest Rambutan fruits when skin is pinkish red. Rambutan fruits do not ripen at the same time even within a bunch and this necessitates harvesting by priming. Harvesting is done using secateurs or a long pole with a hook on one end. Avoid making damage to the branches while harvesting as these are the sources of next crop. Harvesting schedules in a moderately-sized orchard (200- 300 trees) are three times a week during the height of the season. The entire fruit cluster is cut from the branch by harvesters. If single fruits are picked, they should be snapped off with a piece of the stem attached, so as not to rupture the rind. The fruits must be handled carefully to avoid bruising and crushing, and kept dry, cool, and well-ventilated to delay spoilage.

19. Yield Yields 1.2 tonnes per hectare (0.5 tons/acre) in young orchards; and Yields 20 tonnes per hectare (8 tons per acre) on mature trees. The fruits should be kept under shade. Fruits are graded based on size and degree of ripeness. Then they are washed and dried before packing. Fruits of good quality are selected and packed by placing them in a ventilated box or case of 60 cm x 28 cm x 28cm. Storage and packaging

20. References Bin Osman, M. S., & Chettanachitara , C. (1987). Postharvest insects and other pests of Rambutan .  Rambutan : fruit development, postharvest physiology and marketing in ASEAN/edited by PF Lam, S. Kosiyachinda . Galindo, R. A., & Loquias , M. P. (2006). Rambutan production guide . Sankar , V., Tripathi , P. C., & Karunakaran , G. Central Horticultural Experiment Station Indian Institute of Horticultural Research Chettalli –571 248, Kodagu , Karnataka E mail: cheschettalli @ yahoo. co. in . Wikipedia contributors. (2019, September 22). Rambutan . In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:02, September 23, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rambutan&oldid=917086934

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