Micropropagation of tropical and subtropical fruits

Abstract

Production of tropical and subtropical fruits has been increasing significantly faster than temperate fruits in recent years (FAO Production Yearbook, 1987). Although efficient vegetative propagation methods, i.e. grafting, air layering and removal of suckers, already exist for many of the most important tropical and subtropical fruit crops, the rapid expansion of plantings has nonetheless been impeded by serious shortages of clonal material, particularly of newly released, superior cultivars, e.g. ‘Arkin’ carambola (Averrhoa carambola). Among the underexploited tropical and subtropical fruits, whose production is often very important regionally, conventional vegetative propagation can be either quite inefficient, e.g. mamey sapote (Calocarpum sapota) and longan (Euphoria longan), or virtually impossible based upon several hundred years of experience, e.g. mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana). Therefore, many interesting tropical and subtropical fruits have not been exploited for lack of suitable clonal planting material.