THE STRAWBERRY GUAVA: A NEW FRUIT SPECIES FOR HUMID AREAS IN REUNION ISLAND

The strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum Sabine) is a shrub naturalised in several subtropical areas. It produces sweet and aromatic fruit, which are appreciated by the inhabitants of Reunion Island. Processing industries are supplied by fruit gathered from the wild. As strawberry guava thrives in humid areas where the farming potential is low, its cultivation could be a means of providing additional income to farmers, while also establishing a steady supply of fruit to industry and to markets. Because very little information about cropping techniques is available in the literature, a domestication program has been established. Variability among plants is very limited, obviating the need to start with a selection program. On-farm trials have been established at different elevations, and both technical and economic data have been recorded. Some results about the influence of ecological and agronomic factors on growth, yield and fruit quality, as well as data on economics, are presented. First fruit production occurs as early as two years after planting, and potential production is high. Fruit quality is affected by fruit load, cultural practices and weather, and could be improved by more appropriate crop management. Strawberry guava appears to be a profitable fruit crop in humid areas of Réunion Island. The need for further studies to determine more effective management of yield and fruit quality is stressed.