Frutas Tropicales

Alan H. Chambers and Jonathan H. Crane

Florida tropical fruit industry acreage has fluctuated during the past 70 years due to natural disasters, foreign competition and changes in the U.S. demographics. Today, there are about 16,000 acres in cultivation, with an economic impact of over $137 million annually.

Jonathan H. Crane

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, Carlos F. Balerdi, yBruce Schaffer

This fact sheet has been prepared by IFAS faculty working with tropical fruit crops in an effort to assist growers manage their groves under conditions of flooding, high water tables, or drought. Although weather events cannot be controlled, becoming familiar with the effects of a high water table, flooding, or drought on tropical fruit crops may assist growers in managing their fruit trees so they survive these events with minimal or no damage. However, this process will be impacted by ground water levels, which are managed in south Florida, and thus are dependent on regional water management decisions. 

Federico W. Sanchez, Jonathan H. Crane, yBruce Schaffer

Maprang (Bouea macrophylla Griff.), also known as gandaria, marian plum, or plum mango, is a tropical fruit tree in the family Anacardiaceae cultivated throughout Southeast Asia and increasingly recognized as a specialty fruit with potential in south Florida. The species produces aromatic yellow-to-orange fruit with a thin edible peel and sweet to sweet–tart flavor. Although commercial production is well established in Thailand and neighboring countries, cultivation in Florida is currently limited to small private plantings. This publication provides a comprehensive overview of maprang botany, phenology, fruit characteristics, environmental requirements, propagation methods, pest and disease pressures, and recommended horticultural practices to support growers, Extension personnel, homeowners, and students interested in establishing maprang for home landscapes and potential commercial production under south Florida conditions.

Kevin M. Folta, Dustin Huff, and Ali Sarkhosh

Despite being cultivated in China for millennia, the Chinese jujube is mostly unknown to Western consumers. The fruits are borne from vigorous trees that are tolerant to drought and other stresses, as well as disease. A number of cultivars have been demonstrated to produce in Florida. This publication is a review of jujube genetics and management as this crop gains favor among growers on small farms and home growers.

Jonathan H. Crane, Bruce Schaffer, Young Gu Her, Haimanote K. Bayabil, Jeff Wasielewski, yClyde Fraisse

Commercial tropical fruit crop acreage is expanding in Florida outside the traditional extreme south Florida and coastal counties. This largely results from the significantly warmer climate, less frequent freezing events, and less severity and duration of freezing events throughout the state, especially south-central counties. In addition, as the loss of citrus acreage continues, citrus growers and entrepreneurs are seeking alternative crops to remain in business. The successful establishment and maintenance of tropical and subtropical fruit crops in Florida depend on the crop’s tolerance to critical abiotic factors, including tolerance to flooded or waterlogged soil conditions, its ability to withstand high soil and irrigation water salinity, and its high and low temperature ranges for growth, flowering, and production. This publication aims to provide an understanding of the impacts of environmental factors on subtropical and tropical fruit crops grown in Florida.

Jonathan Crane, Yuncong Li, Edward Evans, Fredy Ballen, and Jeff Wasielewski

Planning is the key to successful grove establishment, maintenance, and production. Developing a detailed infrastructure description and plan, cultural program, and financial and marketing plan for a new or existing grove with a new fruit crop will save you time and money and help minimize mistakes. Prospective growers should compile and analyze information needed to select a grove site, establish the needed infrastructure, and develop maintenance plans for the plants and how the production will be marketed. This publication presents an outline of the type of information growers need when establishing a tropical fruit grove or contemplating management or modification of an existing grove.

Jonathan Crane, Haimanote Bayabil, Edward A. Evans, and Fredy Ballen

Florida's tropical and subtropical fruit crop industries use various irrigation systems, including high-volume systems designed for irrigation and freeze protection, drip systems for herbaceous fruit crops (papaya, banana), and microsprinkler types, mainly for irrigation and fertigation. There continues to be a steady stream of potential tropical and subtropical fruit producers in Florida, many with little to no knowledge of the various types or purposes of various irrigation system that have been used successfully for the past 60 years.

Sergio Gutierrez, Tatiana Sanchez-Jones, Zhaohui Tong, yGuodong Liu

Garcinia humilis is an emerging tropical fruit crop in South Florida commonly known as achachairu. Achachairu has attracted much interest as a healthy fruit crop because it is rich in many nutrients such as foliate, vitamins, riboflavin, minerals, and antioxidants. The current use is limited and localized. To help Extension faculty, growers, and students better understand the potential of achachairu (Garcinia humilis (Vahl) CD Adam)  and Garcinia madruno as profitable crops and their health benefits, this publication is synthesized from literature sources and has been networked with farmers, food processors, chefs, and photographers. This document provides an overview of achachairu and ocoro (Garcinia madruno [Kunth] Hammel)—two common species in the Garcinia genus—including cultivation methods and use of the two crops grown in Florida.

Jeff Wasielewski, Carlos F. Balerdi, yCarlos F. Balerdi

Plant propagation is used to produce new plants from a desired parent plant. There are two categories of plant propagation: asexual and sexual.

Federico W. Sanchez, Jonathan H. Crane, Haimanote K. Bayabil, Ali Sarkhosh, Muhammad A. Shahid, yBruce Schaffer

This article provides detailed information on the achachairu’s characteristics, botany, and recommended horticultural practices for commercial growers and county and state Extension faculty in south Florida and is also applicable for homeowners and students interested in growing achachairu. Written by Federico W. Sanchez, Jonathan H. Crane, Haimanote Bayabil, Ali Sarkhosh, Muhammad A. Shahid, and Bruce Schaffer, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, March 2024.

Shinsuke Agehara, Syuan-You Lin, and Zhanao Deng

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by Plant Systems

Michael S. Orfanedes, Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, yCarlos F. Balerdi

UF/IFAS fact sheet

Federico W. Sanchez, Jonathan H. Crane, yBruce Schaffer

Rollinia (Annona mucosa Jacq.) (sometimes called biribá) is a fast-growing tropical fruit tree cultivated for its large, aromatic fruits. It is well adapted to the warm, humid conditions of south Florida, where it produces an extended warm-season crop, is generally unaffected by major pest and disease pressure, and shows potential for niche fresh and processing markets. Constraints include sensitivity to flooding and salinity, fruit fragility, and short postharvest life. This publication is intended for commercial growers, Extension personnel, and homeowners and students interested in growing this species. Drawing on published literature and field observations from south Florida, the publication addresses botany, phenology, fruit characteristics, pollination biology, environmental requirements, horticultural practices, propagation, orchard management, yields, and postharvest behavior.