Production and phenology of the fruit shrub Eugenia stipitata in agroforestry systems in Costa Rica

Abstract

Arazá (Eugenia stipitata), a fruit shrub originating from Western Amazonia, was evaluated growing in association with timber shade trees (Acacia mangium or Cordia alliodora) or with plantain (Musa sp.) as a potential commercial species for the tropical moist lowlands of Talamanca, Costa Rica. Height and crown width of the four-year-old shrubs varied between 2.7–2.8 m and 2.9–3.1 m, respectively. Flowering was positively correlated with initial fruit formation 1 month later and initial fruit formation with fully developed fruits a subsequent month after that. Three to four-year-old plants produced 20.0, 20.0, and 24.5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (fresh fruits) in associations with A. mangium, C. alliodora and plantain, respectively, with higher production in rainy months. Fruit production in later years under C. alliodora (six to eight-year-old shrubs) was 26.5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Where markets exist for E. stipitata fruit, the association can be recommended for tropical humid lowlands of Central America.