NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the
Advice on Publications Available.Terminalia spp
. have been used extensively as food, traditional medicine and timber in many parts of the world, usually by indigenous peoples. The Kakadu plum is a hardy tree widely distributed throughout the wet/dry tropics of northern Australia. The principal interest in the species is the high concentration of vitamin C in its fruit.Brian Woods has recently completed a twelve-year, mostly part-time, study of the commercial prospects of the Kakadu plum, culminating in a Master of Science degree from the University of the Northern Territory, awarded in July, 1995.
A survey of naturally occurring stands of Terminalia ferdinandiana was conducted. It was evident that the tree was smaller and more compact, had a larger canopy cover and yielded more fruit when it was grown under some form of cultivation. However, the shape of the tree was more suited to fruit production when competition was reduced.
Variability was also observed in seedling characteristics, such as resistance to Pythium spp., in the shape and weight of the fruit, in the nutrient content of the leaves and in the Vitamin C content of the fruit (ranging from 0.2 to 5.9%).
This variability was associated with the cross-pollinated form of reproduction of the species. For commercial plantings, vegetative propagation of superior trees would be necessary. Propagation by cuttings and marcots was attempted but was unsatisfactory, indicating future commercial propagation will depend on grafting or the development of a tissue culture procedure.
A preliminary marketing study and an economic analysis has been conducted and investigations into the future commercial development of this species are continuing.
Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter
Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email:
r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au[
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GK; latest update 6 June 1999 by: RF