ISHS Acta Horticulturae 558: I International Symposium on Litchi and Longan
VARIATIONS OF LOCAL LONGAN IN MALAYSIA |
| Author: | K.C. Wong |
| Keywords: | Dimocarpus longan ssp. malesianus var. malesianus, longan, vegetative characteristics, floral and fruit characteristics |
| Abstract:
The most commonly cultivated longan is Dimocarpus longan ssp. longan var longan, which is grown mainly in subtropical regions. Until recently, this taxon has not been successfully grown in the humid tropical lowlands of Malaysia. Instead its close relative, Dimocarpus longan ssp. malesianus var. malesianus, is found most abundant in the humid tropical forests of the eastern Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. This taxon exhibited the greatest variations especially in their vegetative parts and fruit. From the collected specimens in Sarawak, the local races of this taxon can be broadly grouped into four groups based on vegetative and fruit characteristics. Three members of these groups (Isau, Sau and Kakus) produce warty fruits with relatively thicker aril than the fourth group (Mata Kuching) with smooth fruit. The latter resembles more the common longan. Among the warty-fruited groups, the ‘Isau’ exhibits lower values in vegetative characteristics but the fruit contains higher Brix content, comparatively higher vitamin C, calcium and iron contents than ‘Sau’ and ‘Kakus’. The aril of ‘Isau’ fruit is also comparatively thicker and less watery in nature than the other two groups. Seed size of ‘Isau’ is also relatively smaller. Besides the fruit characteristics there are great variations in the vegetative characteristics among the four groups. | |
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