The Calcium Application to Control Yellow Latex in Mangosteen Fruit (Garcinia mangostana)
Silvia Yuniarti, Sri Lestari, Maureen CH, Resmayeti Purba

Banten Assessment Instittute for Agricultural Technology

Abstract

The main problem of mangosteen production is the presence of yellow latex in the aril and rind of the mangosteen fruit. The yellow latex occurs from the ruptured of the yellow latex channel and contaminates the arils or mangosteen rind. The rupture is thought due to the lack of calcium in the epithelial cell walls of the yellow latex ducts. The present study aimed to determine the effect of calcium in reducing the presence of yellow latex in the mangosteen fruit. The study was conducted in Luhur Jaya Village, Lebak Regency of Banten Province. The study used a randomized block design, consisting of 6 treatments and 5 replications with treatment P0=control, P1=dose of calcium/dolomite lime 2 kg/tree, P2=dose of calcium/dolomite lime 3 kg/tree, P3=dose of calcium/dolomite lime 4 kg/tree, P4=dose of calcium/dolomite lime 5 kg/tree, P5=dose of calcium/dolomite lime 6 kg/tree. The calcium was given when the mangosteen plant started to flower. From the results, all treatments had a significant effect on reducing yellow latex in the fruit arils, while a dose of 3-6 kg/tree had a significant effect on reducing yellow latex in the mangosteen rind.

Keywords: calcium, controlling yellow latex, mangosteen

Topic: Crop Production and Environment