Agromisa Foundation and CTA, Wageningen, 2006. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, photocopy, microfilm or any other means, without written permission from the publisher. First edition: 1992 Third, completely revised, edition: 2006 Author: Ed Verheij Illustrator: Barbera Oranje Design: Eva Kok Printed by: Digigrafi, Wageningen, the Netherlands | Agrodok 5 Fruit growing in the tropics Ed Verheij This publication is sponsored by ICCO Agromisa Foundation and CTA Wageningen 2006. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by print photocopy microfilm or any other means without written permission from the publisher. First edition 1992 Third completely revised edition 2006 Author Ed Verheij Illustrator Barbera Oranje Design Eva Kok Printed by Digigrafi Wageningen the Netherlands Language editor Ninette de Zylva ISBN Agromisa 90-8573-056-2 ISBN CTA 978-92-9081-344-6 Foreword The previous editions of this Agrodok published in 1992 and 1999 gave a general introduction into fruit growing in the tropics and described 8 major crops. Working on this revision the general introduction quickly filled the entire Agrodok And if the major fruit crops are to be dealt with anew each crop will no doubt require an Agrodok of its own. In fact it may be better to publish regional crop manuals rather than trying to cram information for various parts of the tropics into a single booklet. The aim of this revised text is to foster your interest in and understanding of fruit growing. Traditional knowledge has been combined with insights gained through research work. No recipes are given for growing specific fruit crops. The contents are directed at home gardeners growers who depend for part of their income on the sale of fruit extension workers and others who support gardeners and growers. Acknowledgement I am greatly indebted to Chris Menzel Horticulturist at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries Australia who reviewed the manuscript and made welcome editorial suggestions. His comments made me reconsider what can be done to improve flowering leading to a revision of this key issue. Johannes van Leeuwen of the National Research Institute of the Amazon INPA in Manaus Brazil and Bennie Bloemberg who devoted some 30 years to development work in East Africa proposed improvements of the manuscript and
