NEW RAMBUTAN VARIETIES IDENTIFIED Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum var. lappaceum L.) is currently emerging as a high demand future fruit crops in world wide. It is very rich in sugar, vitamin and mineral contents. Rambutan is originated in the Malayan archipelago, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia and Southern Thailand. In India, rambutan cultivation is limited to some parts of Southern states like Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Major constraints faced by growers are unavailability of true to type planting material, long juvenile period, less productivity. Further there are no released varieties available in our country. IIHR, Bangalore evaluated fifty accessions of rambutan at Central Horticultural Experiment Station (CHES), Chettalli, Coorg, Karnataka, India and identified two varieties name Arka Coorg Arun and Arka Coorg Patib. The important Distinguishing morphological characteristics of these varieties are given below. Arka Coorg Arun (RED COLOUR LINE) : Tree: Semi-spreading, early maturing, medium size. Flowering in February - March. Fruits: Dark red coloured; ripen in September - October, weighs about 40 - 45 g, free stone. Aril: white colored, thick, firm, dry and sweet, not attached to testa. The yield is about 750 to 1000 fruits/tree. Arka Coorg Patib (YELLOW COLOUR LINE): High yielding promising selection. Tree: semi spreading; regular bearer and a mid season variety. Flowering in February - March. Fruits: yellow in colour, ripening in October. Fruit weighs about 25-30 g. Aril: white, juicy and sweet. The yield is about 1200 to 1500 fruits/tree. The release of these varieties can increase the area and production and also address the production problems faced by growers, Further these varieties also contributes towards nutritional security as they are rich in vitamin C. In long run these varieties can contribute to export of fresh horticultural crops and seeds which are further expected to boost region economy.
