Promising Selections of the Honeyberry (Melicocca bijuga L.) from Puerto Rico

Abstract

The tropical tree, Melicocca bijuga L., native of the Western Hemisphere, produces an edible fruit which is very much appreciated when those of quality can be obtained. Nutritional value and previous selection work is reviewed. Four promising selections were made from 54 trees evaluated in south Puerto Rico. The methods employed involved measurements of fruit weight, percentage edible pulp, pH, total soluble solids, citric acid content, percentage total sugars, and vitamin C content. The four selections made had 46.6 to 48.6 percent of edible matter by weight, and contained 22.7 to 26.0 percent of total sugars. Descriptions of the four selections are presented.