Minor Fruit Crop Research Articles

Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of Minor Fruit Crops: Cultivation Practices, Market Strategies, and Contributions to Agricultural Diversity and Sustainability

Cultivating minor fruit crops constitutes a vital component of diversified agriculture, contributing to local economies, dietary variety, and niche markets. This explores the intricacies of minor fruit crop production, emphasizing the importance of suitable variety selection, meticulous cultivation practices, and effective pest management. Key considerations include water and nutrient management, pruning techniques, and post-harvest handling. Market strategies such as exploring local markets and value addition are discussed, highlighting growth opportunities. The cultivation of minor fruit crops not only enhances agricultural biodiversity but also fosters resilient and sustainable food systems. This encapsulates the essence of cultivating minor fruit crops, highlighting their significance in the broader agricultural landscape. Value addition through processing, such as making jams, jellies, or juices, is discussed as a means of enhancing market appeal and economic viability for growers. The role of minor fruit crops in promoting agricultural sustainability and resilience. By fostering biodiversity and offering alternatives to globally dominant fruit varieties, these crops contribute to the creation of dynamic and resilient food systems.

Enormous promise of Carissa carandas L: An underutilized minor fruit crop with nutritional and therapeutic activities in rural development and livelihood security

Enormous promise of Carissa carandas L: An underutilized minor fruit crop with nutritional and therapeutic activities in rural development and livelihood security

Micropropagation of Minor Fruit Crops of India: A Review

Micro-propagation refers to the technique of in vitro multiplication of plants in a short duration using any plant parts (nodes, leaves, flowers, seeds etc.) under aseptic conditions. It is advantageous over vegetative propagation and its application in horticultural aspects. It is well-proven method of surplus production of elite identical plants in a controlled environment which are uniform, stable, disease-free, true-to-type and are independent of any seasonal restrictions or limitations. India is homeland to diverse of significant but minor fruit crops such as Indian gooseberry, (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), Karonda (Carissa carandas L.), Bael (Aegle marmelos Corr.), Jamun (Syzygium cuminii L.), Jackfruit (Artocarpus hetrophylous L.) which bear high nutritional, medicinal, therapeutic values and of great commercial importance (medicinal, food and cosmetics). Due to a paucity of desirable planting materials, the commercial production process for these crops is restricted. Micropropagation has the potential to significantly increase the number of new cultivars or genotypes of such fruit crops. The objective of this review study is to compile existing research work done on the micropropagation of these underutilized fruit crops.

Biochemical Mechanism Unlocking Their Potential Role in Salt Tolerance Mechanism of Zizyphus Germplasm

Salinity is one of the major constraints reducing plant growth and yield. Irrigation with poor quality and brackish water to orchards is a major cause of stunted growth and low yield. The salt tolerance mechanism is one of the complicated genomic characters that is very problematic to develop in fruit trees and becomes much more severe at any growth and developmental stage. Osmotic stress and hormonal imbalances are major constraints causing low biomass production. Fruit tree tolerance/sensitivity is chiefly based on the activation of a defense system comprised of super-oxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalases (CAT), non-enzymatic compounds including ascorbic acid, phenolics, flavonoids, stress indicators [i.e., hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and osmolytes containing proline, glycine-betaine (GB), ascorbates (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR)]. Tolerant genotypes must have higher antioxidant assays to cope with the adverse effects of salinity stress because their defense system had the potential to scavenge toxic ROS and protect from membrane leakage. Some work is conducted on agronomic and horticultural crops; however, underutilized fruit crops are still neglected and need serious consideration from plant researchers. Minor fruit crops especially Zizyphus had excellent nutritional aspects. The current study provides detailed insights into the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of Zizyphus species to cope with the adverse effects of salinity by improving their plant defense system. The development of salt-tolerant germplasm is a requisite and can be developed by utilization of physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms. Application of different molecular approaches (i.e., genome mapping, genome editing, genetic transformation, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolites) are effective for higher yield by improving tolerance mechanisms.

Characterization of indigenous phalsa (Grewia subinequalis) genotypes using morphological traits and ISSR markers

BackgroundPhalsa (Grewia subinequalis L.) is a commercial and nutritionally important berry fruit. It is cultivated in Pakistan as a minor fruit crop without any variety characterization. Therefore, the objective of to assess genetic diversity through ISSR markers and morphological features of wild phalsa genotypes collected from different parts of Punjab, Pakistan. MethodsMorphological characteristics such as plant height, stem circumference, growth habit, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf color and leaf apex shape showed high variation among genotypes. ResultsAmong the twenty inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) primers, UBC-812 exhibited the highest PIC values of (0.485) and Dj (0.389) compared to other primers, which considered it better for the identification of phalsa genotypes and prediction of diversity. Moreover, the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean cluster analysis divided the sampled genotypes into five clusters (clusters A-E) based on morphological analysis, while molecular data divided the genotypes into eight clusters (clusters A-H). ConclusionThis study confirmed the high diversity in wild populations especially 'O1P2” and “O7P3” genotypes, with both DNA-based and morphological descriptors that depict their potential use for future phalsa breeding programs.

Fungal and Oomycete Diseases of Minor Tropical Fruit Crops

Minor tropical fruits are grown on a small scale and provide income to smallholder farmers. The cultivation of these fruit crops indirectly contributes to the economy of producing countries as well as to food and crop security. Dragon fruits, guava, passionfruit, lychee, longan, mangosteen, durian, and rambutan are common minor fruit crops. In recent years, the international trade of some of these minor tropical fruits, particularly dragon fruit, passionfruit, guava, and lychee, has increased due to their nutritional value, with various health benefits. Similar to other crops, minor fruit crops are susceptible to fungal and oomycete diseases. These diseases negatively affect the yield and quality of fruit crops, leading to substantial losses. In this context, the knowledge of disease types and causal pathogens is fundamental to develop suitable disease management practices in the field as well as appropriate post-harvest treatments.

Standardization of propagation methods in minor wild fruit crops

The study was carried out to find out the ideal propagation techniques of wild and minor fruit crops at ICAR-IIHR, Bengalure, during 2016–19. Two year's data revealed that fresh seeds of most of the species, viz. karonda (Carrisa carandas), wood apple (Feronia limonia syn. Limonia acidissima) avocado (Persea americana) noni (Morinda citrifolia) wild jamun (Syzygium cumini) Alangeum (Alangium salvifolium) carombola (Averhoa carambola), Canito (Chrysophyllum cainito), bael (Aegle marmelos) kokum (Garcinia indica), yellow mangosteen (Garcinia xanthochymus) and Malabar tamarind (Garcinia gummigutta) did not have dormancy and their germination was more than 60 per cent. Although the days taken for germination varied in these fruits. Some fruits, viz. mulberry (Moris alba) gave good response (80%) for multiplication through cuttings. Air-layering was found successful in Governor's plum (Flacourtia indica) Karonda (Carrisa carandas) natal plum (Carrisa macrocarpa), Citrus hindsi Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora) and West Indian cherry (Malpighia emarginata) with 75% and 60% survival. The grafting was found successful (90%) in avocado (Persea americana) and wood apple (Feronia limonia)

Науково-методичні та практичні інновації Інституту садівництва НААН України у виготовленні продуктів здорового харчування з плодів калини, ожини, кизилу, терну

The paper presents the results of evaluating the primary components (pasteurized natural monojuices) for the production of blended juices and syrups from the fruits of pre-selected species and cultivars of minor fruit and small fruit crops according to the biochemical (dry substances, sugar, acidity), physicochemical (sediment) and organoleptic (color, aroma, transparency) indicators. The authors have described some elements of the methods of processing the berries of the above mentioned crops. The test technological works have enabled to establish the modes of the pasteurization of blended juices by means of the continuous pasteurization. In particular, when producing blended apple-wild plum tree and apple-viburnum juices and syrups the packing temperature is to be 85 °С. The temperature in the pasteurizer zones should be: for the first zone 85 °С, the second 28 and the third 20 °С. The time of exposure in the mentioned zones must be - 26, 6 and 3 minutes respectively. The elaboration the methodological recommendations on the technology for making healthy food products (juices and syrups from the fruits of minor crops) as well as the preparation of technological instructions for the manufacturing of blended blackberry juice, has been substantiated; blended apple-wild plum tree and viburnum-apple juices, dogwood-blackberry and dogwood-field syrups. The technologies for making blended juices from blackberries, dogwood-blackberry syrup, blended apple-wild plum tree juice, dogwood-wild plum tree syrup, blended viburnum-apple juice have passed successfully the production testing at the IH NAAS. The characteristics of ready-made healthy food products are presented: blended unclarified wild plum tree-apple juice "Kozatska mits", blackberry-apple juice "Medova ozhynka", viburnum-apple juice "Kalynonka" and blackberry-dogwood syrup "Medovyi rubin" and dogwood-honey "Medova badioris

Nutra-Chemical and Organoleptic Quality Evaluation of Wood Apple (Limonia acidissima L.) Pickle

Wood apple is a nutritious minor fruit crop indigenous to India but it is not much popular for the purpose of consumption. The value addition can increase the production and utilization of this valuable fruit crop. Among various value-added products, pickle is popular and traditionally acceptable in India. The present investigation conducted at Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, RVSKVV, Gwalior, MP between 2019-20 and 2020-21, to study the nutrients, chemicals and sensory qualities of wood apple (Limonia acidissima L.) pickle and Nutra-chemical changes in pickle during storage period. The wood apple pickle was prepared as per standard procedure and analyzed for its nutrients and chemical status as well as during storage period to access its self-life and suitability. Fresh wood apple has nutritive property and its pickle was found more nutritious with 3.20 g and 3.43 g crude protein, 1.43 g and 1.53 g crude fibre, 7.03 g and 7.37 g crude fats, 20.33 g and 19.00 g carbohydrates, 1.90 and 1.97 total minerals, 253 mg and 256 mg calcium and 107 mg and 103 mg phosphorous per 100 g of pickle for first and second year respectively. Sensory evaluation revealed color, taste, flavor changed after 90 days of storage remarkably as shelf life is better retained up to 90 days of storage. Moisture, pH and ascorbic acid decreased while titratable acidity and total sugars increased with 0, 30, 60 and 90 days of storage. Wood apple pickle is nutritious, good in taste and a better source for protein, fibre, calcium and phosphorus among different fruits and it was found suitable for consumption up to 90 days of storage without major organoleptic and Nutra-chemical changes.

Використання плодів нових генотипів калини звичайної (Viburnum opulus L.) у створенні напоїв функціонального призначення

The strategy of growing fruit crops in our country requires a revision of the food market business environment formation from the iewpoint of the population providing with biologically valuable food products and raw material for the processing and food industries, not only the gross production of separate export attractive types of fruit and small fruit products. In order to solve this proble, a special attention must be paid to the cultivation of minor fruit and small fruit crops which ensure, first of all, obtainning biologically valuable raw material as the source of making the functional assignment products. Talking into consideration all the above mentioned, the studies of the fruits of the new Viburnum opulus L. forms and cultivars were carried out in 2018-2020 at the Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine concerning the biochemical indicators, suitability for processing and production of inland wines and juices for the functional assignment. It should be noted that contrary to wild forms, the new selectional forms (F 329-10-17, F 360-5-17) and varietie Uliana have a more harmonious taste and reduced bitterness, so their fruits can be eaten both as fresh, and in a processed form. The infusion of crushed mass from the fruits of Ulyana for 40 hours, followed by squeezing and adding the second fraction, infused with the apple juice in a ratio of 1:2 at a temperature of 80 ºC, with the further squeezing and gradual addition of sugar appeared cause the growth of the phenolic compounds amount to 2800 mg/dm3 and of acidity to some extent the point value being high (8.0 points). In order to balance the alcohol content and acidity of wine materials and increase their tasting evaluation, it is advisable to use gradually honey instead of sugar. That will raise the tasting evaluation to 8+ points. The infusion of crushed mass from the berries of the selectional forms F 329-10-17 and 360-6-17 for 40 hours the with further squeezing and adding the second fraction, infused with the apple juice in a ratio of 1:2 at a temperature of 80 ºC followed by squeezing and gradual addition of honey proved to bring about the formation of the satisfactory physical and technological parameters, namely: ruby-bright colour, typical rich aroma and pure pleasant and asringent taste. The obtained results made it possible to differentiate the varieties and forms as for the indices of the aroma-formational complex of soft drinks and the of their fruits favourability for processing and making functional food products. Among these genotypes, the variety Uliana and forms, F 329-10-17 and F 360-5-17 were selected that became the prerequisite for the development and improvement of the methods of producting of functional assignment drinks.

Effect of Various Treatments on Seed Germination and Seedling Vigour of Aonla cv. Chakaiya

Background: Aonla is considered asone of the important indigenous minor fruit crop. Being rich in nutrients the demand of its planting material is increasing day by day which is not fulfilled due to poor seed germination and seedling growth. Therefore there is a dire necessity to standardize the techniques for improving germination and growth of seedlings. The aim of the current study is to overcome the dormancy and to enhance the germination in aonla seeds. Methods: The present investigation was carried out during 2019-2020 under field conditions with the pre soaking application of the aonla seeds with thiourea, GA3, cow urine, sulphuric acid, water and seed stratification for time interval of 12 and 24 hours. In the laboratory the selected samples were analysed morphologically based on shoot, root and biomass traits.Result: Out of the various treatments the application of GA3@ 500 ppm for 24 h have ensured early germination with an increase in seed germination. This treatment also improved the seedling growth with an increase in root formationand vigour index. This study will be useful in boosting the cultivation of aonla which will be beneficial for the growers on commercial basis.

Advancement and efficacy of plant growth regulators in Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk) - A review

Ber (Ziziphus maurtiana) is an important minor fruit crop of India. Over the years the crop is now widely domesticated and commercial orchards of Ber are now available. With wide commercialization, many physiological problems, i.e. flowers and fruit drop, embryo abortion, poor flowering and fruit setting, abnormal and small size fruits etc. were observed which cause huge loss to the growers. In order to minimize these problems, over the years many experiments and advancement have been done, and among them, usage of plant growth regulators is one of the most adopted methods and is utilized to improve flowering fruiting and yield with improved fruit quality. The current review discusses the role of different plant growth regulators and how they influence each fruit character. This information could be useful to the researchers in planning further advance research in this aspect and for the commercial growers to decide the proper treatments to mitigate the problems.

Diversity and divergence in domesticated and wild Jamun (Syzygium cumini) genotypes of Pakistan

Jamun (Syzygium cumini L.) is a high valued evergreen tree with medicinal importance, but still a minor fruit crop of Pakistan. Information regarding jamun genetic resources of Pakistan is missing. Even, its complete potential is not yet discovered. Therefore, research was designed to explore the genetic variation among jamun accessions collected from different growing regions of Pakistan. Among all the samples collected, pulp percentage varied from 49 to 92 % approximately. The highest pulp percentage was observed in TUK-03 and minimum was observed in SKUK-02. Weight of fruit (pulp + seed) varied from 2.67 (SKD-01) to 12.63 g (SFM-08). Data related to biochemical parameters also revealed variability. TSS (10.8–20.3 %) and TA (0.64–1.69 %) varied among accessions. In SFG-07, maximum phenolic content was observed (318.6 mg GAE/100 g) and minimum (23.00 mg GAE/100 g) in MWD-01. PCA biplot exhibited the highest phenotypic variability in SFM-08, SFS-02, TUK-03 and KDC-04. Dendrogram constructed from agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) grouped the accessions into 3 diverse clusters. Qualitative and quantitative characters revealed large variability among jamun accessions, which can help in selection of parental material for future breeding programs.

Microsatellite polymorphism for molecular characterization of pomelo (Citrus maxima) accessions from Indonesia

Abstract. Susandarini R, Subandiyah S, Daryono BS, Rugayah. 2020. Microsatellite polymorphism for molecular characterization of pomelo (Citrus maxima) accessions from Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 2390-2395. Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. (pomelo) as a minor fruit crop deserve attention on its phenotypic and genotypic variability to avoid the risk of extinction. Previous study showed that pomelo from Indonesia has high morphological variability, and thus it is interesting to explore its genotypic variability using molecular markers. Microsatellite is a molecular marker widely used in Citrus taxonomy studies. This study aimed at revealing microsatellite polymorphism and its potential application in cultivar characterization of C .maxima. Eighty accessions of C. maxima consisting of registered cultivars and landraces from Indonesia were used in this study. Analysis of microsatellite sequences from genomic DNA amplified using DY296883 primer showed that C. maxima microsatellite has high polymorphism in the form of repeat length variation of (GA)n, ranging from (GA)7 to (GA)19. This study proved the existence of high genotypic variability in C. maxima, and confirmed the role of microsatellite as a useful molecular marker for uncovering variability at intraspecific level. Observation of the microsatellite polymorphisms indicated that variability of (GA)n can be used to distinguish some pomelo cultivars.

Colletotrichum eriobotryae sp. nov. and C. nymphaeae, the anthracnose pathogens of loquat fruit in central Taiwan, and their sensitivity to azoxystrobin

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is an economically important but minor fruit crop in central Taiwan. Anthracnose fruit rot is an important postharvest disease of loquat. However, not much is known about this disease in Taiwan. In this study, the fungi causing anthracnose fruit rot of loquat in Taiwan were identified using morphological and molecular approaches. Based on ITS sequence data, isolates from diseased loquat fruit, collected in the main cultivation areas in central Taiwan, were identified as Colletotrichum species belonging to clade 2 of the C. acutatum species complex. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, HIS3, ACT, and TUB2 sequences placed one isolate in C. nymphaeae, while the other isolates were distinct from all known Colletotrichum species and described as C. eriobotryae sp. nov. Based on our data, both species can cause anthracnose fruit rot of loquat, but C. eriobotryae is the main pathogen of this disease in central Taiwan. The growth of both species was inhibited, but not completely stopped by azoxystrobin in in vitro assays. The growth inhibition increased by enhancing the concentration from 0.031 to 8 μg/mL and by adding salicylhydroxamic acid, suggesting both species to have an alternative respiration pathway. Furthermore, C. citri was revealed to be a synonym of C. nymphaeae.

Стан і перспективи селекції та вирощування плодово-ягідних рослин, малопоширених в культурі, в сучасному садівництві України

The authors have analysed the modern state and main tendencies of the minor fruit and fruit crops in Ukraine and substantiated the directions of the national breeding and industrial horticulture development. The search of the methods of the population is to form the improvement conjuncture the food market of the fruit with high content of the biologically active substances and raw material for the processing and food industries. The leading role in it belongs to the popularization and industrial cultivation of valuable fruit and small fruit crops. The success of this is possible only under bringing together the efforts of selectionists, manufacturers, technologers and processors. The area under industrial or-chards of the minor fruit and small fruit crops has appeared insufficient for meeting internal needs of the population in the fresh fruits and the products of their processing. This is due to the problems of both the theoretical character lack of the in-formation about the fruit crops consumer value, and the technological one the absence of all the necessary components of some crops cultivation: blueberry, cranberry, actinidia, blackberry etc., as well as of the sufficient number of the certified varieties of planting stock, including the varieties in the ‘State Register …’, low level of the national fruit-soft fruit berries processing industry. If the minor crops cultivation with the high content of the biologically active substances in their fruits and consumption of them in the sufficient amount in fresh and processed forms, is on the industrial basis. It will contribute to the improvement of the population health, to the development of the national fruits and small fruits products market and to the increase of the berries export to EU, to entering new markets. The development of the market for fresh fruits and soft fruit berries is supported by it is the state financing (insurance, subsidies, partial compensation for the establishment of fruit and soft fruit berriy plantations, preferential taxation and lending), provided by the sectoral budget support program that will contribute to the fresh fruits and soft fruit berries market development as well.

Технологічні основи формування якості виноматеріалів з плодів обліпихи крушиноподібної (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) у залежності від способів їх переробки та видового різноманіття дріжджів

The further strategy of the fruit and small fruit crops cultivation in our country must foresee the review of the food market formation conjuneture from the viewpoint of the population provision with biologically valuable foods and raw materials for the processing and food industries, and not just gross production of some export-attractive species fruit and berry products. To solve this problem, special attention is to be paid to the growing of minor fruit and small fruit plants, which ensure, first of all, raw materials valuable for biology as sources of producing functional products. Tak-ing into cosiderations the study of new sea buckthorn at the Institute of Horticulture NAAS of Ukraine during 2018-2020 concerning biochemical parameters, their suitability for processing and product manufacturing inland wines. The obtained results made it possible to differentiate sea buckthorn regards the indicators of the wine materials aroma-forming complex and their fruits favourability for processing and the final product quality. Among such genotypes the varieties Adaptyvna, Osoblyva and Yantarna (F 1-15-9), were selected that became a ground for analytical search of the technological ways of forming the quality of wine materials from sea buckthorn fruits. Bases of many years of experience and laboratory research data obtained during 3 years. The technological grounds for using of various methods of processing sea buckthorn fruits and yeasts in the conditioning of thewine materials and the production of quality table wines. In this regard, based on the use of sea buckthorn fruits, a technology and recipe for table semi-sweet wine "Sea buckthorn" was developed, which is made in the case of fermentation of sea buckthorn juice in a mixture with sugar in accordance with DSTU 6036. The obtained functional drink was tested in the Central Testing Commission of the wine industry of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine, where it received high marks for high quality. As the result, the technological instruction for the production of the mentioned above table wine was prepared and approved according to the established customs (TI 00413297-27:2020). The developed technological methods ena-ble to form high quality of the wine materials from sea buckthorn fruits, which is the reason for close cooperation with the production of growing and processing products of the minor fruit and small fruit crops and will make it possible to increase the efficiency and quality of the functional beverages for the healthy nutrition.

Transcriptomics in fruit crops: Present status and future prospects

To meet the emerging challenges, there is a need to evolve improved genotypes in fruit crops having higher productivity, better quality and tolerance to emerging biotic and abiotic stresses. However, genetic improvement of the fruit crops using traditional breeding approaches is very time consuming due to various reasons including their perennial nature, long juvenile phase, higher heterozygosity and complex genetic makeup, self-incompatibility, seedlessness, polyploidy, higher linkage drag etc. The advent of biotechnological tools and omics science especially transcriptomics offers several ways to fulfil the above needs in a short time period. Amongst various fruit crops, transcriptomics has been widely used in crops like apple, banana, citrus, grape etc. to explore the transcriptome changes during different metabolic processes and induced changes, i.e. fruit development and ripening, application of exogenous plant growth regulators or chemicals, response to biotic and abiotic stresses etc. Similarly, the minor fruit crops are needed to be analysed for their transcriptome under various stress conditions. RNA-Seq is a recently developed approach for transcriptome profiling that uses deep-sequencing technologies to provide more precise measurement of levels of transcripts and their isoforms. The present review reports various significant achievements of transcriptome analysis, RNA-Seq and their future prospects in fruit crops.

Dietary Contribution of Underutilized Minor Fruit Crops of Assam in Nutritional Security-A Review

Dietary Contribution of Underutilized Minor Fruit Crops of Assam in Nutritional Security-A Review

Unexpected variations in flowering and fruiting occur in clonally propagated, purple-fruited pitanga (Eugenia uniflora‘Zill Dark’) grown in Kona, Hawai’i USA

Many tropical fruits such as the Brazilian purple-fruited pitanga (Eugenia uniflora) are not well known or widely produced outside of their countries of origin. The reasons many of these minor fruit crops do not become more widely available are complex. However, many of the reasons revolve around a lack of research into appropriate horticultural practices such as propagation, nutrition, pest and disease management, and proper harvesting, handling and processing. Another major missing component is cultivar improvement. The purple-fruited pitanga has several named selections available in Brazil, Israel and the USA, but difficulties with clonal propagation have severely limited their availability. Breeding trials using the purple-fruited pitanga ‘Zill Dark’ were initiated in Florida and seedling fields were planted out for further evaluation in both Florida and Hawai’i where the crop is already known. Additionally, twenty veneer-grafted ‘Zill Dark’ pitanga were also planted in the Hawaiian field to provide production data and to serve as comparisons to the seedlings. Scionwood was all obtained from the same ‘Zill Dark’ plant and seedling rootstocks were all grown from seed produced by the same plant that provided the scionwood, as there are no clonal rootstocks available for pitanga. In 2013, five years after the planting of the veneer-grafted ‘Zill Dark’ pitanga, collection of flowering and fruit production data from both the grafted trees of ‘Zill Dark’ and the seedlings was initiated. As a rule, clonally propagated fruit trees of the same cultivar that are the same age, planted in the same field and fertilized, irrigated and pruned in the same manner are expected to produce similar fruiting and flowering results. However, in the Hawaiian field there were statistically significant differences in both times of flowering and ripening of fruit among the ‘Zill Dark’ clones. Why these clonally propagated fruit trees do not have well-synchronized production schedules is unclear; possible causes for this dissimilarity are examined.