Package and practices of Rambutan

Introduction:

The rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) belongs to the family “Sapindaceae”.

It is an exotic fruit tree native to the Malaysian-Indonesian region.

It is closely related to litchi, longan and momoncillo.

Cont..

The white translucent, sub arid – sweet flavored aril is the edible flesh of the fruit. Its appearance differs from the litchi by having red and soft spines (hairs),(in Malay ‘rambut’ stands for hair) covering the whole surface of the fruit. It is very rich in sugar, vitamin and mineral contents.

Package and practices of Rambutan cultivation: 

Climate and soil

Rambutan is tropical fruit requiring a moist warm climate with a well distributed annual rainfall of at least 200 cm.  The plants can grow at 10-500 m above mean sea level temperature 20-30 degree C and relative humidity 60-80%.   A rich sandy or clay loam with high organic matter and good drainage will be ideal for the growth and flowering.

Cultivars:

Since rambutan is a cross pollinated crop, large genetic variation has occurred in nature over generations and numerous varieties have been identified.

Rohug-Rian – Thailand cv. Oval bright red fruits spines with green tip. The aril is juicy, tough and sweet.

Seematjan

Fruits deep red with soft curved spines.

BR.1 (Boting Rambutan No.7)Fruits are big (30g), ovate, red , spines are fine and dense.Aril is juicy, crisp and sweet.

Arka Coorg Arun

Dark red coloured, 40 - 45 g. Aril: white colored, thick, firm, dry and sweet.

Arka Coorg Patib  

High yielding promising selection  yellow in colour.Fruit weighs about 25-30 g. Aril: white, juicy and sweet.

Other popular cultivars:

Rongrien and Chompu are popular varieties in Thailand.  Both these have crisp arils and are well suited for canning and for fresh consumption. 

Bingjai, Lebak Bulus and Rapiah are important varieties.  

Propagation:

Seed:

Used only for raising seedling rootstock for grafting. Seeds are sown immediately when taken out from fleshy fruits because they lose viability within a few days.

 

      Vegetative propagation:

Patch or forkert budding on 1-2 year old seeding rootstock is recommended.Air-layering is another method.

Planting:

Planting holes should be dug to a minimum of 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft.

Spacing given for planting (10 x7)m. Planting of different cultivars is advised to encourage pollination.

Shade:The young plant must be provided with shade to protect it from strong sunlight. Temporary shade may be provided by making use of a few palm leaves.

Staking:Staking is simply putting a support to the young plant. This is best done by driving a stake into the ground near the young tree and then tying them together with a soft rope or string.

Training and pruning:

Modified leader system of training is practiced. Light unusual pruning of crossing branches, dead and diseased twigs and water shoots are suggested.

 

Mulching:

Mulching is done as soon as the plant has been planted on the field.

Mulching prevents the growth of weeds near the plant as well as keeping the soil cool and at the same time conserving moisture around the base of the tree.

Mulching materials can be provided by organic matter such as straw, dried leaves or grass cuttings. Coconut husks may also be used.

Irrigation requirements: 

Irrigate during drought periods until the plant become 2 - 3 years old. Generally canal irrigation or drip irrigation is recommended.

Long dry season induces flower drop. 

                           

Fertilizer application

Planting hole:

During planting, 200 g superphosphate, 100 g dolomite and 1 kg well decomposed organic manure are thoroughly mixed with top soil in the planting hole.

Per Plant:

Time of application

Muriate of 

potash

g

Rock 

phosphate

g

Urea

g

Basal dressing  110 115 120

After 6 months 55 115 60

After one year   55 115 60

After two year 165 345 180

After three year  275 575 300         

From the 4th year

Apply once every

six months’ time. 

Insects and pests:

1.Litchi stink bug (Tessaratoma papillosa)

,

SprayChloropyriphos 50 EC @ 0.2%

Control

2.Fruit weevil (Hypomeces squamosus)

3.Bark borer(Conopomorpha cramerella)

    Spray Pyrethrum 5 EC@ 0.2%

Control

Cleaning the tunnel with a hard wire, pouring kerosene oil, petrol, crude oil or formalin and subsequently closing entrance of the tunnel with mud or plugging it with cotton wool soaked in any of the above substances kills the grub.

Control

Diseases:

Powdery mildewAppear as white color on fruit. Later fruits wither, turn black and dropped prematurely.

ControlBy spraying of Sulphur - several times during .the early stage.

Special operation:

Covering of fruits with nets as a protection from birds.

Fruit set:

Seedling plants will take about 7 - 8 years to fruit while grafted plants will take about 3 - 4 years to fruit.

Harvesting

Harvest when the fruits are matured and colour change is complete (generally 107-100 days after fruit set)

Harvest as branches.

Yield:

Well grown plant gives 500 - 1500 fruits/ year.An average plant gives 200 - 500 fruits/ year.

Storage techniques:In normal conditions, fruits can be kept about 3 - 4 days.

Enclose low density polyethylene bags that contain ventilated holes, before storing at low temperature.

Packaging: Use rigid ventilated coconut leaf baskets or rigid boxes

Acknowledgement

All the photographs and graphics used in the slides are downloaded versions from the internet and I acknowledge the creators for their fantastic works.

Thank

You !!