Fruiting Behaviour, Fruit Growth and Development of Carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) under Red and Lateritic Areas of Eastern India

Abstract

Carambola (star fruit) or five-corner fruit is an important minor fruit crops of warm tropical and subtropical areas of the world especially in South East Asian countries including China, Taiwan, Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Brazil. Most carambola fruits are eaten fresh or used for preparation of many products like juice, squash, jam, jelly, pickles etc. and it is a very good source of natural antioxidants. In recent years there has been increasing trend in the commercialization of new tropical fruit species including carambola both fresh and processed. It is one of the promising fruit crop of dry Hand areas and also suitable for red and lateritic soils. Considering scope and importance and ©f this fruit an experiment was carried out to study the fruiting behavior, fruit growth and development of carambola at red and lateritic area of West Bengal state of India. The study included three seasons of bearing (spring, rainy and autumn) in four types of branches (main, sub-main, side branch and new shoot) of two canopy positions (lower and upper canopy). The fruit set of carambola was very low and significantly maximum during autumn season. The fruits of spring, rainy and autumn seasons were ready for harvest at around 50, 40 and 60 days after fruit set, respectively. Maximum fruit weight and volume were recorded at harvest in rainy season in the tree trunk of lower canopy of the tree. The quality of fruits of different season, different branches and canopy has also been found significantly different regarding total sugar, reducing sugar, acidity, ascorbic acid content. Considering the short fruit growth period, longer availability of quality fruits the commercial cultivation of carambola may be popularized.