REGISTERED JACKFRUIT CLONE IN MALAYSIA

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heteropyllus Linn ,syn Artocarpus integra Merr) under family Moraceae or locally known as NANGKA in Malaysia is a popular fruit tree grown as tropical fruit trees. It was grown in Malaysia as a commercial commodity or grown as mixed commodity with few other fruit types such as durian, rambutan, duku etc in traditional village. Department of Agriculture Malaysia record about 3,123 hectare was grown as CHE in 2006 and increase the size to only 3,500 ha in 2009 with annual production for 27,830 metric tonnes. This article I will share the jackfruit clones in Malaysia registered with Department of Agriculture based on DOA listing and my own study recently.

Jackfruit was popular in few states such as in Pahang State (Temerloh District about 207 ha) followed by Kota Tinggi Johor (192 ha) and Segamat Johor (136 ha) in 2008 respectively. For 2010 it was estimated about 3,650 ha jackfruit planted with the estimated production 28,960 mt. This article share about registered jackfruit clones I gained from DOA and my own study recently.The jackfruit tree is a wood perennial crop with erected trunk up to 10-15 feet tall. The main trunk with branching system with dark green leaf. Most of the jackfruit in Malaysia produce the flower and fruit on the main trunk and main branch. The flesh of the jackfruit is starchy, fibrous and is a source of dietary fiber. The flavour is similar to a tart banana.

Varieties of jackfruit are distinguished according to the characteristics of the fruits' flesh and their tree morphology. Most farmers prefer to select the new variety with less latex and big size of fruit. Jackfruit is suitable to be grown with sandy loam soil and proper drainage system. Jackfruit tree cannot survive if the root system submerged for more than 4 hours under water. Department of Agriculture Malaysia (DOA( recommended the planting distance for jackfruit is 9 meter x 9 meter to provide 123 trees/ hectare. Vigorous seedling selected from germinated seeds or budded seedling or other method of seedling production. The seedling must free from unwanted disease and pests. Basic Agronomic Practices of jackfruit planting must be followed.

The registered jackfruit clones to Department of Agriculture since 1939 about six (6) clones. Below is the registered clones :

1. Jackfruit : Clone J2
This clone registered by the owner at 17.7.1939 by Agriculture officer from Kinta Agriculture Station in Perak. The owner of this clone was Perak Agriculture Department. The fruit has a sweet flesh with lots of fiber and medium aromatic smell. The fruit are perishable or short storage characteristic. This fruit has a cracking ability after harvested.

2. Jackfruit : Clone J27
This clone registered by the owner that is Agriculture Officer from Serdang Agriculture Station from Selangor in 1948. The fruit medium size with thick flesh and orange colour. This clone was very sweet and has sour taste with fine texture. The flesh shape long and straight.


3. Jackfruit : Clone J 28
The owner of this clone identified as Mr Wing Lee from Kajang, Selangor. This clone registered to DOA in 8.2.1973. The fruit skin are yellowish with yellow flesh and thick.

4. Jackfruit : Clone J 29
This clone registered at 8.2.1973 by the owner (Chin Choon Koon) from Taman Lee, Sungai Chua, Kajang , Selangor. This clone among largest jackfruit size during registration era about 15 kg per fruit. The skin color are yellow and the flesh was medium thickness, compact, very sweet and very popular in 1980's.

5. Jackfruit : Clone J30
The date of registration to DOA in 30.5.1973 by Mr Low Koon Hoe from Sungai Chua, Kajang, Selangor. This clone has elongated shape with yellowish green skin colour. The flesh are yellow color, very thick, very sweet and medium aromatic characteristic. This clone among popular clones distributed by DO in 1980's under AID programme and SGBB program throughout the country.

6. Jackfruit : Clone J31
This clone registered in 30.5.1973 by Mr Yong Yow Nam from Negeri Sembilan. Other local name for this clone are "N.S.I.". The fruit are small size with green yellowish skin colour. It has a long shape fruit with thick flesh, yellow flesh color and strong aroma. This clone claim to be the best for canning.

7. Jackfruit : Not yet registered
I found that there are many other jackfruit clones in Malaysia yet to be registered. Among popular recently released clone are Tekam Yellow Clone from Pahang, Mantin Clone from Negeri Sembilan, Nangka Madu Clone (J33) from Perak, Uncle Hong Clone from Tenggara Johor (He doest not want to registered), Crystal Clone from PPK Johor (Next photo is Crystal Jackfruit) , Nangka Mastura Clone from USM Penang (Released by our friend Dr Zainal) and few others. There may be more local and new Jackfruit clone available but the DOA or the owner must has the ability to register.

GROW JACKFRUIT....PREFER CLONAL MATERIAL...
BETTER PERFORMANCE...EASY FOR MARKETING....
6 REGISTERED CLONE.... IDENTIFY THE SUPPLIER...
HARVEST JACKFRUIT...SELL TO OTHERS....

By
M Anem
Putrajaya
Malaysia