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Rambutan cultivation

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 Rambutan Cultivation

P C Tripathi* and G. Karunakaran**

Central Horticultural Experiment Station (IIHR), Chettalli-571 248

Introduction and importance

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum var. lappaceum) is a popular fruit of Indonesia, Malaysia

and Thailand. It has been widely cultivated throughout Southeast Asia. It is also grown in India and

Sri Lanka. The name rambutan, derived from the Malay word rambut which means hairs.This is

known by this name in Malaysia and Indonesia. It is called ngo or phrun in Thailand, Usan in

Philippines, Sermon in Cambodia and Shao Tzu in China. In India, rambutan cultivation is limited to

some parts of South India. The fruits of rambutan are red to yellow in colour. These are similar to

litchi except long hair like structures on fruits. The edible portion in rambutan is aril, which is

attached to seed. The rambutan fruits are rich in carbohydrates, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and

potassium. The fruit contains 82 per cent water, 0.9 per cent protein and 0.3 per cent fat (Table 1).

The edible portion i.e. aril is about 35 to 55 per cent of the total fruit weight while the skin and seed

may be 40- 47 per cent and 6-10 per cent, respectively. Rambutan fruits are mostly used as fresh

fruit. The aril can be mixed with other fruits for various preparations. The fruits are also used for

making of jam and jelly and also used for canning after removal of rind and seed. Rambutan seed

contains high amount of fat. This fat is similar to cocoa butter and can be used as edible oil or

making soap and candles. Seed can also be eaten after roasting but are bitter in contain some narcotic

properties. The wood of rambutan is heavy and durable and can be used as timber wood. The bark

and fruit skin is used for medicinal purpose in Indonesia and Malaysia.

*Principal Scientist (Hort.) & Head ** Scientist (SS) (Horticulture)

The young leaves and fruit skin is also used as dye.

Table 1: Composition of rambutan fruits

Ingredients Per 100 g of edible portion

Water 82.1 %
Protein 0.9%
Fat 0.3%
Ash 0.3%
Glucose 2.8%
Fructose 3.0%
Sucrose 9.9%
Fibre 2.8%
Citric acid 0.31%
Niacin 0.5 mg
Vitamin C 70 mg
Calcium 15 mg
Potassium 140 mg
Magnesium 10 mg
Energy 297 kJ

Origin, distribution and systematic

Rambutan belongs to Sapindaceae (Soap nut) family of flowering plants in the order

Sapindales. There are about 140-150 genera with 1400-2000 species. The plants of Sapindaceae

family are found in temperate to tropical regions throughout the world. Litchi, rambutan,

pulasan, longan are most important fruits of this family. Rambutan is originated in the Malayan

archipelago, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia and Southern Thailand. There are more than 10

species in genus Nephelium. The important ones are rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), pulasan

(Nephelium mutable) and bushan ( Nephelium philippinense). Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum)

has three botanical varieties based on the leaf characteristics. The leaves of Nephelium

lappaceum var lappaceum are widest above the middle of the leaf and the leaf nerves are

strong curved. This variety is distributed in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Philippines. In
Nephelium lappaceum var. pallens leaves are widest below the centre of the leaf and the leaf

nerves are moderately curved. In Nephelium lappaceum var. xanthiodes leaves are widest below

the centre of the leaf and the leaf nerve are slightly curved.

Rambutan is cultivated in Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Northern Australia, Sri Lanka,

India, Madagascar, Costa Rica, Congo and some South American countries. Thailand, Malaysia

and Indonesia are the world’s largest producers of rambutan. World rambutan production is

estimated at 1.06 million tonnes in 1999. Thailand, the largest producer with 588, 000 tonnes

(55.5%), followed by Indonesia with 320,000 tonnes (30.2%) and Malaysia with 126,300 tonnes

(11.9%) collectively accounted for 97% of the world's production of rambutan. Thailand and

Malaysia are the main exporters of fresh rambutan while Thailand also exports considerable

amount of canned rambutan to Asian and European countries. Rambutan cultivation is expanding

in Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Philippines and Hawaii. In India, Rambutan is cultivated in

home gardens of Thrissur, Pathanamthitta, Kottayyam and Ernakulum districts of Kerala,

Nagerkoil, Courtralam , The Nilgiris districts of Tamil Nadu, Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu

districts of Karnataka. The actual area and production of rambutan in India are not available but

it is estimated that the area under the crop is less than 500 acres and the 95% plantation size are

having less than 20 plants. There is good potential of expression of this crop in Kerala, Tamil

Nadu and Karnataka.

Rambutan tree is an evergreen tree which may grow op to a height of 12–20 m .The

vegetatively propagated trees grows up to 12 m. The main root goes several meters deep but the

lateral roots remain near the soil surface. The leaves are petiolate, alternate and pinnate with 2 to

4 pair of leaflets. The leaflets are ovate to elliptical and 5 to 28 cm long. Petioles are thick and
0.5 to 1 cm long and rachis may be 7 to 30 cm long and 3-10 cm broad, with an entire margin.

The inflorescence is erect, widely branches and bears many flowers.

The flowers are small, 2.5–5 mm, apetalous and borne in erect terminal panicles 15–

30 cm wide. Rambutan trees are male, female, or hermaphroditic. The male tree bears only male

flower which are apetalous with 5-7 stamens and rudimentary ovary .One panicle contains 300 to

500 flowers. The hermaphrodite trees bears hermaphrodite flowers with bilocular ovary and bifid

stigma and six nonfunctional stamens. A panicle bears 500 -800 flowers. The hermaphrodite

trees also bear 0.5 to 0.8 % male flowers, while female tree bears only female flowers. The fruit

resembles with litchi fruit in appearance and fruit texture but fruit skin carries numerous long,

thick yellow or pink and red colored hairy growths. The fruit is a round to oval drupe 3–8 cm

long and 3-4 cm diameter, borne in a loose pendant cluster of 10-20. The skin of fruit is leathery

and reddish, orange or yellow in colour and covered with fleshy hair. The flesh (aril) is white or

rose-tinted, translucent, juicy, acid, sub-acid or sweet flesh, 0.4-0.8 cm thick, adhering to

seed.The seed is oblong and flattened, glossy brown, 2–3 cm long. Fruits are sweet, juicy and

delicious with a pleasant flavor and aroma. Fruit is a good source of sugars, vitamin C and other

vitamins and minerals. Fruits can be used as a fresh dessert fruit or can be processed into

different items like dried fruit pulp, jams, jelly, fruit concentrates etc. The seed is long to elliptic

oval, soft 20-25 mm long and 12 to 22 m wide.

Ecological requirements

Rambutan is adapted to warm tropical climate. It is grown commercially within 12–15° of the

equator. The tree grows well up to 700 metre above sea-level. It requires around 22–30°C

temperature for optimum growth. It is very sensitive to low temperature and growth of plant is
severely affected at temperature less than 10o C. The lower temperature caused defoliation and

affect panicle emergence and fruiting. The higher temperature (>40oC) also affected the growth

and development of plants. The lower humidity affects the development of fruits. The plant

requires good rainfall of 200-500 cm well distributed through out the year but a short spell of the

day period is essential for initiation of floral bud function. The heavy rainfall during maturity

period causes cracking of fruits. Rambutan is grown successfully in wide range of soils. Well

drained sandy loam to clay loam soils with organic matter are most suitable for optimum growth

and yield. It is can be grown successfully in red laterilte soil if adequate organic and inorganic

fertilizers are applied. The optimum soil pH is 4.5 to 6.5. Rambutan is sensitive to water logging.

The orchard in slight sloppy land has been found performing better.

Species, commercial varieties and rootstocks

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) ( 2n =22) has three botanical varieties Nephelium

lappaceum var lappaceum, Nephelium lappaceum var. pallens and Nephelium lappaceum var.

xanthiodes based on the leaf characteristics. But Nephelium lappaceum var lappaceum is

widely distributed and cultivated in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines. More than over

200 cultivars of this botanical variety have been developed from selected clones available

throughout tropical Asia. Most commercial cultivars are hermaphroditic The main commercial

cultivars are Lebakbulus, Binjai , Seematjan, and Rapiah from Indonesia; R134, Gula Batu, Muar

Gading, Khaw Tow Bak, Lee Long , and Daun Hijau from Malaysia; Deli Cheng and Jit Lee

from Singapore; Seematjan, Seenjonja, and Mahalika from the Philippines, and Rongrien,

Seechohmpoo, and Bangyeekhan from Thailand. In India, there is no released cultivar of

rambutan. The seedlings grown from the seeds collected from outside and within the country

have been planted by the planters. Central Horticultural Experiment Station (IIHR), Chettalli has
indentified several promising lines after extensive survey from the Kerala , Karnataka and Tamil

Nadu. The some of the promising lines are described as follows:

Red Colour Lines

CHES-27 : This is a promising selection by CHES, Chettalli. This is an early maturing variety.

The tree are medium in size and semi spreading in nature. Fruit are dark red in colour. Average

fruit weight is 40 to 45 g. Fruits are free stone an aril can be usually removed from the seed

without attachment to the testa. The aril is white in colour, thick , firm and dry and sweet (TSS-

20 0 B) with recovery of about 42 per cent.

CHES-26 : This is a high yielding promising selection by CHES, Chettalli. The trees are

medium size and semi spreading in nature. This is an early maturing variety. Fruit are dark red in

colour. Average fruit weight is 35 to 40 g. Fruits are cling stone and aril is attached to the testa.

The aril is white in colour and juicy and sweet (TSS-190 B) with recovery of about 40 per cent.

Yellow colour lines

CHES-31: This is a high yielding promising selection by CHES, Chettalli. The trees are semi

spreading type and regular bearer.. This is a mid season variety. Fruit are yellow in colour.

Average fruit weight is 25-30 g. The aril is white in colour, juicy, sweet (TSS-210 B ) and aril

recovery of 41 per cent.

CHES-14: This is a high yielding promising selection by CHES, Chettalli. The trees are semi

spreading type and regular bearer. This is a late variety. A six year tree yields around 500-100

plant. The average fruits weight is 30g. Fruit are yellow in colour. Average fruit weight is 45 to
50 g. Fruits are free stone an aril can be usually removed from the seed without attachment to the

testa. The aril is white in colour and sweet (TSS -19.5 0 B) with recovery of about 44 per cent.

Propagation and planting

Rambutan is propagated by seed or by vegetative methods such as budding, grafting and

layering. Seed propagation is easy but is not recommended for commercial multiplication as

more than 50 percent produced only male flowers. The seedlings are used for rootstocks purpose.

Rambutan seeds should be thorough washing after removal from the fruit and than should be

planted horizontally with the flattened side downward. The seeds loose their viability very soon

.Thus it should be sown immediately after removing the aril. Seeds germinate in 10 to 25 days.

The germination of 2-day-old seeds is 87% to 95% as compared to 50-60% in one week old

seeds. Sun-drying for 8 hours and oven-drying at 86º F (30º C) kills seeds within a week. The

storage of fresh seed can be done moist sawdust, sphagnum moss or charcoal for 3-4 weeks. The

seedlings become ready for grafting in 9-10 months.

Vegetative propagation

Vegetative propagation is essential in rambutan for early bearing and to ensures optimum

number of female plants in the orchards. Rambutan can be vegetatively propagated by cutting,

approach grafting (Inarching), air layering, budding and grafting. The stem cuttings have been

found to produce roots under mist with treatment of growth-promoting hormones, but this

technique is not practiced commercially. Approach grafting is most successful but is more labor

intensive and cumbersome because the seedlings must be securely placed around the mother tree

and the rootstocks need to be maintained till union. The number of grafts may be done at a time

is limited by space and available shoots. Generally 8 to 12 month old seedlings are used as
rootstocks. Various grafting methods such as cleft, veneer have been tried for propagation of

Rambutan. But most of them were not successful or very less successful. The success rate in cleft

grafting in the shade house was low (10%). Cleft grafts in top working in established trees were

more successful than in the shade house on seedling rootstocks. An inverted cleft type graft was

found more successful in the shade house than cleft grafting. Among various budding methods,

Patch-budding is preferred as having a higher rate of success. The budding is done in the on

well-grown rootstocks of 8 to 12 month old in month of May or July. The success rate is reported

to be as high as 83.6% in other countries. But in Indian condition the success in patch budding is

very low. Air-layering appears successful in initial stage but many air-layers die after being

transplanted into field nursery or poly bags or later in the field, long after separation from the

mother tree. Based on the results of the trials conducted in India and other countries, approach

grafting was found more dependable than cleft grafting for clonal propagation of desirable

varieties in rambutan.

Spacing and Planting

The seedling trees of rambutan are vigourous and spreading type and require more space for

growth. The plants need to be planted at more distance to avoid overlapping of trees after 10 - 15

years. Generally trees are planted at 10x10 to 12x12 meter distance. In the Philippines, it is

recommended that the trees be planted at least 10 m apart each way. Closely planted trees

become overcrowded in few years and production is seriously affected. The vegetatively

propagated trees are smaller in size and they should planted at a spacing is 8x8 or 8x6 m, The

close planting 6x6 m may need pruning to control the tree size. For orchards with

mechanization, row spacing should be wide enough for machinery. The most appropriate spacing

is 200-250 plants/ ha. The planting is done in pits of 1x1x1m size which are done 2 to 3 week
ahead of planting and filled with a mixture containing three parts of top soil and one part of

compost. Planting is done preferably during June-July after the onset of monsoon so that the

plants are well established at the end of the monsoon

Tree architecture and pruning

Rambutan trees exhibit strong apical dominance and have a tendency to produce long,

upright growth. It is essential to make a frame work of the main branches so that good yield of

quality can be obtained. The branches should e evenly spaced and the crotch angles should be

wide. An open centre system or modified central leader system may select for training the plants

as per growth nature of growth the variety, soil fertility etc. Once the main frame work of the

braches is established a light pruning is annually. Which may include removal of water sprouts,

disease and pest infected twigs and dead branches. The crossing branches and low lying branches

should also be removed while pruning. The remaining of the panicles should be removed to

induced vegetative growth.

Flowering physiology and fruit set

The Rambutan flowers in the months of March to June in Indian conditions. In warmer area

flowering starts early. The vegetatively propagated plants starts flowering from 4th years while

seedling trees may taken 8 to 10 years for flowering. The fully grown tree bears thousand

panicles. The male trees bear panicles having only male flowers. There are over 3000 greenish-

white flowers in male panicles, each with 5-7 anthers and a non-functional ovary. Male flowers

have yellow nectaries and 5-7 stamens. The hermaphrodite tree bears both female and male

flowers. There are about 500 greenish-yellow flowers in each hermaphroditic panicle. Each

flower has six anthers, usually a bi-lobed stigma, and one ovule in each of its two sections
(locules). The flowers are receptive for about one day but may persist if pollinators are excluded.

water and fertilizer should be applied regularly and adequately during fruit set and fruit

development. There is a need to increase pollination of the female flowers to induce fruit setting.

Spraying of the hormone, NAA, onto the rambutan flowers to increase the amount of pollen does

this. The increasing number of pollinator such as honey bee, flies also help in increasing fruit set.

One colony of bee (Apis cerena indica) should be kept in per acre during flower season for better

pollination. The development of fruits takes 13 to 16 days of the date of fruits set. Initially some

proturances developed on the skin which turns into green hairs after 6 weeks. The fruit length ,

width and thickness increase during 10-30 days after fruit colour changes from green to

yellowish green. The fruit matures fully one month after colour breaks but this period may varies

from to variety.

Nutrition, water management and abiotic stresses

A fertilizer dose of 200g nitrogen, 25g of phosphate and 100g potassium per tree per year of age

is recommended for rambutan. For the first four years, the fertilizers should be applied in four

equal dressings, every three months. For fruiting trees, 200g N, 25g P and 130g K per tree per

year of age are recommended. Maximum fertilizer rate is reached at 12 years and should remain

constant thereafter. For fruiting trees, one-fourth of the yearly fertilizer should be applied four

weeks after fruit sets, half the amount should be applied immediately after harvest and the

remaining one-fourth at nine weeks after harvest. Additionally, 0.4kg of dolomite per tree per

year of age, maximum at ten years and constant thereafter, is applied during slow growing

months. For nursery beds for raising rootstocks/seedlings, 20g N, 2g P2O5 and 20g K2O and +

micronutrients should be applied.

Irrigation

Irrigation is given as needed in dry seasons. Rambutan trees should be sheltered from strong

winds, which can do damage the flowering and fruiting period. In order to induce flowering of

full-grown plants, there is a need to allow the rambutan plant to pass through a period of drought

for about 21-30 days. Then irrigation is done to induce floral bud initiation. The rambutan plant

so treated will start to bloom within 10-15 days after water manipulation.

Role of bio- regulators

Several plant growth regulators have been reported for the propagation, flower induction and

fruit set of rambutan. Paclobutrazol ( 300 to 500 ppm) is used for induction of flowering in

rambutan. This was found to replace water stress conditions required for the flowering of the

plants. But application of paclobutrazol more than 700-1500ppm can cause abnormal growth.

Ethephon can also be used for early flowering in rambutan. The application of 150-200 ppm of

ethephon can induce 10-13 day early flowering than normal time. NAA is used for inhibition of

growth of pistil and promote stamen growth. It is also used to delay the harvesting date. The

application of 250-500 ppm of NAA reduce in flower drop in the later part of flowering and it is

also found increasing fruit set when applied around one month after fruit set.

Fruit quality enhancement techniques

The fruit colour can be enhanced by application of ethephon @10ml/l at the time of initiation of

colour changes. The light intensity and quality is essential for the development of anthrocyanin

pigments in the fruits. The rainfall, proper soil moisture is essential for the proper filling and

quality of the fruits. The dry condition may results in high acidity low edible portion, low flavor,

lower fruit size and weight. The high rainfall in the late stages of fruit maturity may cause fruit
 cracking. The low atmospheric humidity cause browning of spinsters(hairs) Proper humidity are

also important for the quality of the fruits.

Physiological disorders and their management

Leaf scorching is considered as a physiological disorder. In this the leaf and flower dried up and

growth and yield of plants is adversely affected. The soil with light clay, saline soil, higher level

of fertilizers, water logging etc. are found to be associated with the problem. Proper nutrition,

irrigation during dry season, proper drainage can reduce the problem.

Major diseases and insect- pests and their management

Pests and diseases

Diseases
Several diseases of Rambutan have been reported from growing areas. The level of severity of

outbreak of these diseases varies as per the agro climatic conditions. The common diseases are

powder mildew, fruit rot, anthracnose, stem cankers, pink disease, sooty mould and vein necrosis.

Some of diseases are as follows:

Powdery mildew (Oidium nepheli Hadwidijaja)

This is the most wide spread disease of Rambutan. The young vegetative growth and

inflorescences are affected by the disease. The sweet varieties have been found more affected by

than the sour varieties. This is airborne disease and the symptoms are appears as white yellow

dusty substances over leaves and flowers. The and small fruits drops while by fruit because black

and remain stunted. The disease can be minimized by ensuring proper aeration through pruning.

The timely sprays of fungicides such as sulphure, copper oxychloride, kerathane control the

disease.

Anthracnose ( Colletotrichum spp)

This is a wide spread disease of rambutan. The disease affects the leaves, inflorescences and fruits.

The symptoms appear as brown necrotic spots on leaves while the inflorescence develops brown-

black spots and drops. The proper aeration helps in minimizing the disease. The application of

sulphure, carbendazim effectively control the disease.

Fruit rot ( Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica)

This disease is common in all rambutan-growing areas. The disease in transmitted by water

droplets. Moist and cloudy conditions are favourable for the spread of disease. The symptoms

appear as black spot on the fruit skin and fruits may drop. Sometimes the aril may also be affected.

The disease can be controlled by pre harvest sprays of mancozeb.

Corky stem canker

Stem canker is a serious disease in the Philippines. It caused by Dolobra nepheliae . It can be

fatal to rambutan trees if not controlled at the outset.. It attacks branches and twigs causing the

formation of corky tissue. There is no effective control but improving air circulation helps reduce

its incidence.

Pests:

There are several pests of affects Rambutan. The detail of the some important pests is as follows:

Leaf eating Caterpillar:

This is an important pest of Rambutan growing area. The young caterpillars feed on leaves and

young shoots. The adults feed both on young and mature leaves. Which affects growth and yield of

the trees. Regular spraying of malathion and carbaryl can control the pests.

Rambutan stinkbug:

This is considered as major pest in Rambutan growing areas of South Asian countries but in it is

not reported so far. The bug sucks sap of young leaves shoots and inflorescences. These are found
in clusters and emit foul smell when disturbed. This can be controlled by handpicking in the initial

stage as the size of bug is big. The application of chlorpyriphos has bee found effective in

controlling the bugs.

Mealy Bug

Mealy bug is a common pest of Rambutan. It is also reported in India. The young bugs live on

the inflorescences and fruits and suck the sap. The affected fruits become black because of the

growth of sooty mould on the secretion of mealy bugs. This can be controlled by releasing a

natural predator (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri).

Shoot and fruit borer

The pest forms a web around the fruits. The web provides shelter to the larvae. The larvae forms

whole on fruits and feed the aril. The infested fruit drops before maturity. The thinning of fruits

help in partial control of the pest. The application of carbaryl or any systemic insecticides control

the pest.

Cocoa Pod Borer

Cocoa pod borer also infest mature and ripen fruits. There is no external symptom visible on the

fruits but the larvae penetrate the fruit skin and feed on aril. The fruit become unfit for

consumption. Use of systemic insecticides at the interval of two weeks found effective against this

disease.

Ripening and storage of fruits

Rambutan trees start bearing fruits from fourth year onwards. It may take up to five months for

the fruits to develop into ripe fruits after fruit set. In South eastern Asian Countries, rambutan

produces fruits twice a year, the first and the main crop is in June and a lesser one is in

December. But in India it gives only one crop per year. The fruits are usually ripe in month of
September - October. Harvesting is done by shears or sharp knives by cut the inflorescence stalk.

Thereafter, the fruits are individually cut off and packed for sale. It is recommended that the

fruits should not be allowed to fall directly to the ground as this will cause injury and cannot be

kept for a long time.The fresh fruit are easily bruised and have a limited shelf life. An average

tree may produce 5,000-6,000 fruits (60–70 kg) per tree. However, yield may vary from year to

year because rambutan exhibits alternate bearing.

The fruits must be sold immediately as they start shriveling and decay begin. Keeping the

harvested fruits within a plastic film of sufficient thickness to avoid water loss at a temperature

of 13-15oC prolong the shelf. Rambutan stored at a low temperature acquires a firmer texture and

more translucent appearance. The sucrose content has been reported to increase during storage.

Storage temperatures lower than 7 o C caused chilling injuries to the peel and hairs.

References

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Human Nutrition, Institute of Medical, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Wills, R.B. H, Lim. S. K and Greenfield, H ( 1986)Composition od Australian Foods Tropical

and subtropical Fruits Food Technology in Australia 38(3):118-123.

Lim A.L. 1984. The reproductive biology of Rambutan. Nephalium lappaceum L. (Sapindaceae)

Gardens Bulletin, Singapur 37(2) 181-192.

Tindall, H D 1994. Rambutan Cultivation. FAO Plant Production and protection Paper

121.P163.
 Ravisankar, H, Sakthivel, T, .Samual D. K. and Shivaramu.2007.Rambutan-An under utilized

fruit crops for Tropical humid climate. CHES, Chettalli, IIHR, Bangalore Tech Bull.32.PP-8.

Linn ,T.K.1992. Rambutan Industry in the Northern Territory. Acta Hortic. 321.62-70.

Zee, F.T. 1983. Rambutan and Pilinuts. Potential crops for Hawaii. New Crops. I. Janick and

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