Page 312 - FRUTAS DEL TRÓPICO

312 Frutas del trópico

Carambola crop production
1. Young trees begin to produce on a commercial scale after 2 to 3 years.

2. Five-year-old trees, 45-68 kg per tree.

3. Seven-year-old trees, 112-160 kg per tree.

4. Production may reach 121 kg per tree; higher yields have been reported.

Plant nutrition

Moderate to high soil fertility is best. Leaf litter and/or mulching is beneficial. Apply 90-270

kg ha-1 yr-1 nitrogen and split nitrogen applications into 6 or more application per year to

maintain continuous growth. Secondary and minor elements should be applied frequently

and on an as needed basis or maintenance level to maintain tree health and vigorous growth.

Research found a consistent difference in leaf element content among mulched (M) and non-

mulched (NM) trees, however, M trees had greater yields than NM trees and; nitrogen (N)
rate above about 112 kg ha-1 yr-1 (100 lbs) N acre-1 year-1 made no difference in yield.

Critical periods for irrigation

1. At flowering and fruit set.

2. During fruit development.

3. During excessively dry conditions.

4. Irrigation rate (amount) varies with tree size, climatic demands, soil type and depth and should

be determined with soil moisture monitoring and/or leaf/stem water potential.

Carambola growth habit and growth model

Architecturally carambola is a polyaxial species with a synchronous growth pattern characteri-
zed by alternating root and shoot growth and concurrent vegetative and reproductive growth.

Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas