INDUSTRY PROFILE

ON MANGOSTEEN

POTENTIAL IN THE DOMESTIC AND EXPORT

MARKET:

There is a high demand of Mangosteen in both domestic and export

market. In Europe, it is considered as a health food and one of the best fruits
in the tropics. Right now in the Philippines it is considered as one of the
needed foods. In Mindanao alone, this fruit is considered as one of the most
sought due to its abundance especially in the ARMM region.

PRODUCTION POTENTIAL:

Production of Mangosteen in Thailand vary with age; 5 kg/ha per year

from 7 to 20 years giving about 10 kg / tree from four to six years; 50 kg/tree
after 20 trees. In the Philippines, there are mangosteen trees recorded to
yield 200 to 300 kg/tree.

NURSERY MANAGEMENT:

The ideal site for Mangosteen nursery is similar to that of durian.

Mangosteen are normally asexually propagated, however, it is necessary to
maintain plants in the nursery for two years before field planting.

SOIL AND CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS OF MANGOSTEEN:

a. Sea level to 600 m above sea level.

b. Slightly light to light heavy- drained soil.
c. Annual and evenly distributed rainfall of 1270 mm or higher, otherwise
supplemental irrigation is necessary.
d. Temperature between 20 to 30C; less than 20C retard growth; more
than 38C is lethal.
e. Humidity of 80% or higher.
f. High temperature of 35C in open condition may scorch the leaves.

EARLY GROWTH BEHAVIOR OF MANGOSTEEN:

Very slow early growth; one pair of leaves every two months during the
first year. It takes two years before they are suitable for field planting.

ORCHARD/FIELD ESTABLISHMENTS:

. The recommended distance of planting is 8x8 m.

. Large size planting materials is preferable over normal sized planting
materials.

. Shading is needed during the first two to three years of establishment.

FIELD MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL OF PESTS AND DISEASES:

. The field maintenance of mangosteen including fertilization and irrigation is

similar to that of durian.

. Mangosteen has limited pests and diseases. This is a major advantage of

this crop over durian.

COMMON PROBLEMS MET by MANGOSTEEN FARMERS IN THE

PHILIPPINES.

. Slow growth of seedlings in the nursery

. High field mortality during establishment

. Long period of immaturity

. Seasonality of production.

OVERCOMING SLOW GROWTH OF MANGOSTEEN:

. Potting in rich organic soil using plastic bag of 12 x 16 or 16 x 16

. Providing partial shading of 50% during the first two years in the nursery.

. Raising seedlings in moist but well-drained soil medium.

. Supplemental but regular (twice a month) application of foliar fertilizer.

OVERCOMING HIGH FIELD MORTALITY of MANGOSTEEN DURING

ESTABLISHMENT:

. Used large sized planting materials (LPM)

. Provide adequate shading (40-50%) during the first two years

. Fertilization at the above recommended rate at least four times a year.

. Effective control of pests and diseases.

OVERCOMING LONG IMMATURITY PERIOD OF

MANGOSTEEN:

. Used of LPM for field planting

. Effective shade management

Adequate irrigation during dry season

Adequate fertilization

OVERCOMING SEASONALITY OF PRODUCTION

. Adequate fertilization

. Adequate irrigation

. Judicious pruning of thick and diseased branches.

. Adequate control of weeds

HARVESTING:

Ripe fruit of mangosteen eventually drops and if it falss on a layer of

mulch it may still be marketable. Growers do not risks leaving the fruit on the
tree so long and pick it when the color changes. Top quality is obtained by
picking every 2-3 days the fruit which have turned to alight red color. The
fruit ripens over a period of 6-12 weeks per crop, and the intervals between
harvests are usually too long so that much of the fruit is either immature or
over ripe, leading to disappointed consumers.

As pointed out by Pamplona and Garcia (1995), the recommended harvesting

index for mangosteen should be followed to produced quality fruits.
Harvesting is usually done by priming. Fruits should be harvested only when
they have turned into purplish violet or approximately 110-113 days from
flower set. The fruits should be hand-picked to avoid falling which can
damage the pericarp. With tall trees, a long pole with a hook and a basket
can be used to prevent the fruits from falling onto the ground.