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Durian and Mangosteen Orchards– north Queensland nutrition survey A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by Yan Diczbalis and Darren Westerhuis November 2005 RIRDC Publication No 05/163 RIRDC Project No DAQ-288A © 2005 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 226 3 ISSN 1440-6845 Durian and Mangosteen Orchards - north Queensland nutrition survey Publication No. 05/163 Project No. DAQ-288A The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable industries. The information should not be relied upon for the purpose of a particular matter. Specialist and/or appropriate legal advice should be obtained before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any material in this document. The Commonwealth of Australia, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the authors or contributors do not assume liability of any kind whatsoever resulting from any person's use or reliance upon the content of this document. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Mr Yan Diczbalis Mr Darren Westerhuis Senior Research Scientist Technical Officer Horticulture and Forestry Science Horticulture and Forestry Science Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Phone: 07 40641128 Phone: 07 40641157 Fax: 07 40642249 Fax: 07 40642249 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4819 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected]. Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in November 2005 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint ii Foreword Durian (Durio zibethinus Linn.) and Mangosteen (Garcia mangostana Linn.) are known throughout SE Asia respectively as the King and Queen of tropical fruits. The durian is a tree native to the wet tropics of Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo and is now grown extensively through out SE Asia and northern Australia. The fruit is considered a delicacy and aphrodisiac by many dedicated consumers but is also renowned by some Europeans for its complex flavour and odour interactions. The mangosteen is a tree native to the wet tropics of Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo and is also grown extensively through out SE Asia and northern Australia. The fruit is highly esteemed and is favoured as a suitable antidote to the pungent durian. The durian and mangosteen industries are in their infancy in Australia with current plantings believed to be in the order of 11,000 and 15,000 trees respectively. The value of these industries is currently estimated to be $0.5M for durian and $0.75M for mangosteen, with industry projected values by 2010 of $12M and $6.0M respectively. These projections are based on current bearing and newly planted trees, the bearing capacity of mature trees and wholesale prices of $6.50/kg and $8.00/kg for fresh fruit. The industries lack basic agronomic information with many of the current management techniques used in Australia transferred from SE Asia. The industries representative body, Rambutan and Tropical Exotic growers Association (RTEGA), have a clear strategic plan and this project and its outcomes were developed to assist growers with basic information on leaf and soil standards suited to the north Queensland growing environment. This project was funded from RIRDC Core Funds (New Plant Products) which are provided by the Australian Government This report, an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1500 research publications, forms part of our New Plant products R&D program, which aims to facilitate the development of new industries based on plants or plant products that have commercial potential for Australia. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/index.html • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop Peter O’Brien Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Acknowledgments The authors acknowledge the assistance of cooperating Durian and Mangosteen growers and the industry body, Rambutan and Tropical Exotic Growers Association (RTEGA). We also thank DPI&F staff who have worked on the project and colleagues who have reviewed and commented on drafts of the report. iv Contents Foreword ................................................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgments.................................................................................................................................. iv Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... vi Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Literature Review................................................................................................................................ 3 Plant nutrition - introduction ........................................................................................................... 3 Durian - introduction....................................................................................................................... 6 Durian - cultural practices/agronomy.............................................................................................. 8 Mangosteen ................................................................................................................................... 10 Mangosteen - Cultural practices/agronomy................................................................................... 11 Methodology ......................................................................................................................................... 21 Site Description ................................................................................................................................. 21 Leaf and soil sampling ...................................................................................................................... 21 Climate and irrigation monitoring..................................................................................................... 22 Phenology monitoring....................................................................................................................... 22 Compilation of fertiliser inputs and yield data.................................................................................. 22 Fruit analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 23 Nutrient budget calculations.............................................................................................................. 23 Results ................................................................................................................................................... 24 Climate .............................................................................................................................................. 24 Tree phenology.................................................................................................................................. 27 Durian............................................................................................................................................ 27 Mangosteen ................................................................................................................................... 29 Leaf nutrient monitoring ................................................................................................................... 31 Durian............................................................................................................................................ 31 Mangosteen ................................................................................................................................... 35 Comparison of mean nutrient levels between growers.................................................................. 39 Soil chemical characteristics and nutrient monitoring ...................................................................... 44 Fertiliser inputs.................................................................................................................................. 50 Fruit nutrient content......................................................................................................................... 53 Durian............................................................................................................................................ 53 Mangosteen ................................................................................................................................... 53 Nutrient Budget ................................................................................................................................