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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #283216

Title: A comparison of the morphological and physiochemical characteristics of ten carambola cultivars

Author
item GORDON, GARRY - Us Deparment Of Homeland Security
item Ayala-Silva, Tomas
item Reed, Stewart

Submitted to: HortTechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/2013
Publication Date: 12/1/2013
Citation: Gordon, G., Ayala Silva, T., Reed, S.T. 2013. A comparison of the morphological and physiochemical characteristics of ten carambola cultivars. HortTechnology. 97(3-4):169-177.

Interpretive Summary: Carambola, also known as star fruit, was grown on at the USDA-ARS-Subtropical Horticulture Research Station in Miami, FL. Trees were fertilized every six months with N-P-K (8-4-12) at a rate of 1 pound per inch of trunk diameter. Micronutrients applied with fertilizer were: Mg (4%), S (0.56%), Mn (1.01%), Cu (0.05%), Fe (1.36%), Zn (0.14%), and B (0.06%). Ten carambola cultivars analyzed were: ‘Arkin’, ‘Butt’s Dwarf’, ‘Demak’, ‘Fwang Tung’, ‘Fwang Tung x Golden Star’, ‘Hew 1’, ‘Kary’, ‘Key West’, ‘Tean Ma’, and ‘Wheeler’. Fruit length, diameter, weight, BRIX (sugar index), pH, firmness, and fruit color values were determined. ‘Tean Ma’ had a lower pH than other cultivars used in the study. ‘Hew 1’ was longer and ‘Fwang Tung’ had a greater diameter compared to other carambolas. There was a larger amount of seeds produced by ‘Arkin’ in comparison to other cultivars. The results demonstrated that ‘Hew 1’, ‘Fwang Tung’ and ‘Demak’ produced large, sweet fruit in the hot humid South Florida environment.

Technical Abstract: Carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) was grown on a Krome gravely loam soil (Loamy-skeletal, carbonic, hyperthermic Lithic Udorthents) in Miami, FL. Carambola morphological characteristics were determined by measuring fruit length, diameter and weight. Carambola physiochemical characteristics were determined by measuring the BRIX ('Bx), pH, firmness (kg cm-3), and fruit color (L*, a*, b*) values. ‘Tean Ma’ had a significantly lower pH than other cultivars used in the study. ‘Hew 1’ was significantly longer and ‘Fwang Tung’ had a significantly greater diameter compared to other carambolas. The L value for ‘Arkin’ was significantly lower than other carambola cultivars but the b value of ‘Wheeler’ was significantly higher. There was a significantly larger amount of seeds produced by ‘Arkin’ in comparison to other cultivars used in the study. The results demonstrated that there were several varieties that produced large, sweet fruit in the hot humid South Florida environment.