Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 Western Australia, Series 4
Volume 5
Number 6 June, 1964 Article 6
1-1-1964
Why not take another look at the loquat?
Why not take another look at the loquat?
W J. Hart
Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4 Part of the Horticulture Commons, and the Plant Biology Commons
Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Hart, W J. (1964) "Why not take another look at the loquat?," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 5: No. 6, Article 6.
Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol5/iss6/6
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HORTICULTURE
Loquats were introduced to Australia in New South Wales in the early days of the colony. Although they hare since been established throughout the country, loquats have never found a prominent place in the horticulture industry.
In this article W . J. H a r t of the Horticulture Division says . . .
W h y not take another look at the loquat ?
T H E loquat is a f a i r l y hardy evergreen native of central China and Japan, where according t o records, over 800 varieties have been cultivated. Botanically it is known as Eriobotrya Japanica. This name is derived f r o m erion (wool) and botrys (a bunch of grapes), an allusion t o its mode of g r o w t h and the appearance of the f r u i t .
The trees were apparently confined to their native countries until about the end of the eigheenth century when plants were introduced into England as Japanese medlars a name which was retained for a considerable period.
The Tree
The loquat tree is a large spreading evergreen and many specimens grow to more than 20 feet high. Its large dark green, glossy foliage and profuse highly perfumed blossom make it a very attractive ornamental, and it is cultivated in many parts of the world for this purpose.
Loquat trees are adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, but satisfactory fruiting can only be expected in areas free from early frosts. The blossom occurs during late autumn and fruit set is adversely affected by cold conditions.
The Fruit
The fruit, borne in clusters on the terminal shoots, ripens from September to December and provides a welcome change from a long period of citrus, apples and pears.
The skin of the fruit is bright yellow to
O r a n g e a n d W h e n f u l l y m a t u r e iS e a s i l y Part of a grove of 45-year-old Victory loquats at Roleysfone
peeled off. The flesh colour varies from ^ " ' ^ ^ T ' W h S T t a ^ ^ s ^ w r ^f e d- The
white to deep apricot according to variety and has an attractive characteristic flavour.
Better varieties usually contain up to three or four seeds while poorer selections with more than this number of seeds have less edible flesh with bitter fibre around and between the seeds.
Commercial Plantings
In W.A. loquats are widely planted in home gardens, but commercial plantings are limited to the fruit growing districts of the coastal plain near Perth and adjacent hills areas. Some quite success- ful trees however are found as far south as Donnybrook.
Varieties
When establishing loquat trees it is always wise to plant selected varieties.
Among existing plantings there are many trees inaccurately named; these have been raised as seedlings or the varietal identity has been lost due to changes of property ownership. Under these circumstances differences of quality and characteristics become apparent between trees presumed to be of one variety.
Of the five varieties generally grown in W.A., the first three of these mentioned below are the main commercial varieties.
Victory is undoubtedly the most popular variety. I t is often quoted in catalogues as a midseason variety but matures quite early under local conditions. The fruit is a large oval shape with yellow to orange skin, developing an amber colour on the side exposed to the sun when fully matured. The white to cream flesh which is juicy and sweet has no doubt enhanced its popularity.
Glenorie Superb produces a large round fruit with a deeper skin and flesh colour.
The fruit ripens slightly later than Victory but is equally juicy and sweet. It is reputed to be more subject to bruising during harvest, but as the opinions of growers conflict on this point it can only be assumed t h a t these differences are related to selection or growing conditions.
Sewell's Enormity is a later maturing variety with very large characteristic pear shaped fruit. The skin and flesh develop a deep apricot colour when fully mature.
Fruit of the Sewell's Enormity variety
The larger fruit size is to some extent associated with a more numerous seed content and the flavour is inclined to be acid if harvested too early. Skin disorders associated with hot weather conditions are more common with this variety, however colour and fruit size have ensured its place in commercial plantings.
Herd's Mammoth is well known by name but not widely planted and is often con- fused with Sewell's Enormity. The fruit is large and long, tapering slightly towards the stem end. It is presumed to be a selected Victory seedling and resembles that variety in skin, flesh colour and flavour, but matures slightly earlier. The variety lost popularity with some growers owing to the difficulty in controlling the disease Black Spot. Now with modern fungicides a few trees may be worth considering.
Champagne is not widely planted. The trees have long narrow pointed leaves and long yellow fruit with a yellow flesh. While the quality of the fruit is comparable with other varieties, lack of interest in loquats generally may be the reason it is not more widely established.
PROPAGATION
Loquat trees may be raised from seed but this practice is not recommended as varietal characteristic may not be retained.
In commercial nursery practice loquats are propagated by budding selected varieties on quince or loquat stocks. In local plantings there seems to be a greater proportion of trees on quince stock. This preference has no doubt arisen from the 352
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Blossom clusters before and after thinning. This work should be started a t an earlier stage than shown here, as the presence of bees makes the work uncomfortable
adaptability of this stock to a wider range of soil conditions, and it is more tolerant of heavier soils and wetter conditions A disadvantage of the quince is the profusion of suckers which often originate from the root system.
Loquat seedling stocks are the most satisfactory where there is adequate drainage and depth of soil. Trees grow to a greater size and the problem of suckering is avoided.
Planting and cultural practices for loquats are mostly similar to those for citrus, with perhaps more emphasis on autumn fertiliser applications. Proper preparation of the planting hole and care of the young tree will be rewarded with more rapid tree growth and earlier returns.
Trees should be planted during the late winter or spring, taking care to prevent drying out of the roots during the period between lifting and settling in the new site. Transplanting may be done in the autumn provided the young summer growth has been hardened off. If this growth is too soft, some dieback may result and the advantage of earlier planting will be lost.
Although the loquat is fairly hardy, irrigation during the summer months is advisable to improve tree growth and lessen the effects of leaf scorch, a disorder prevalent under heatwave conditions.
Mulching the ground around young trees will also assist in overcoming this condi- tion.
PRUNING AND THINNING
As the tree ages the terminal shoots on which the fruit is borne divide and
produce the new shoots for future crops.
These shoots eventually become too numerous with a corresponding decline in vigour and a biennial bearing habit often develops.
To overcome this problem it is necessary to thin the terminal shoots and minor branches by pruning, and to regulate cropping by hand-thinning of the fruit clusters.
Pruning is most conveniently done straight after harvest when many of the shoots which have just borne fruit can be removed without adversely affecting the following crop. Stripping the tree of all waste fruit is carried out at the same time.
Pruning will also allow improved spray penetration for the control of disease.
It is unwise to make large openings in the canopy of the tree as unshaded limbs will scald readily. Any large pruning wounds should be sealed to prevent the entry of wood rotting organisms.
Thinning of the fruit clusters is essential to improve fruit size and to reduce the problem of biennial bearing. This is done after fruit set by clipping away more than half the bunch to leave four or five fruit on each cluster. This number may be varied according to the overall crop on the tree.
When a very heavy crop is anticipated thinning may be started just before flower- ing by clipping away about half of each blossom cluster. By using this method more time is available for the overall task and may fit in more conveniently with other operations on a mixed orchard.
While no detailed experiments have been carried out there is evidence to suggest that more regular cropping is achieved by this method.
Careful thinning will also encourage more even ripening of bunches and remove some of the tedium of the harvesting.
Loquats must be harvested by clipping and it is easier to cut whole bunches from the tree and then complete separation into individual fruit when packing.
Unfortunately harvesting of complete bunches is often done indiscriminately, resulting in many immature fruit in cases offered for sale.
In preparing fruit for market care should be taken to avoid bruising; blemished fruit should be culled and attention given to grading for even size and colour.
Systematic packing though not generally practised is recommended and will reduce the effect of bruising during transport.
PEST A N D DISEASES
Fruit fly is undoubtedly the most serious pest, especially in the metropolitan area.
In commercial areas the problem is not so acute but nevertheless requires attention.
Loquats are an excellent host for fruit fly during the spring and unless control measures are rigidly adhered to, can present a hazard for following stone fruit crops.
Black Spot disease is also most trouble- some and if not controlled can ruin an entire crop. It may be recognised by un- sightly black spots on fruit and on the under surfaces of the leaves. Satisfactory control can be obtained by the use of three applications of Thiram type fungicidal sprays. The first should be applied just before bud burst, the second immediately after fruit set and the third 14 days later.
In bad seasons further applications may be necessary.
The larger commercial orchardists of today are not usually interested in loquat growing, as harvesting tends to clash with other spring activities. But for the small mixed orchardist who has the need and the time to grow special crops, the loquat can provide a useful source of income before the stone fruit harvest begins.
EXPORT LAMB COMPETITION
T h e Royal A g r i c u l t u r a l Society will again conduct an Export Lamb C o m p e t i t i o n in c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h the A u s t r a l i a n M e a t Board this year.
Some variations have been made t o the conditions of last year's c o m p e t i t i o n . The m a i n one is t h a t the period has been extended and the c o m p e t i t i o n is now for lambs submitted f r o m July 1 to October 3 1 .
T h e classes are similar to those of last year:
Class 1—Lambs sired by Southdown rams.
Class 2 — L a m b s sired by other British Breed rams.
T h e number of lambs per entry Temains a t three and as before the grower may s u b m i t f i v e , the best three to be selected a t the works.
A display of carcasses and presentation of prizes w i l l be held a t the West A u s t r a l i a n M e a t Exports W o r k s , Robbs Jetty, on January 2 2 , 1965.
Full particulars and entry forms are available f r o m the Royal A g r i c u l t u r a l Society, the A u s t r a l i a n M e a t Board, stock agents and the regional and c e n t r a l offices of the Department of A g r i c u l t u r e .
354
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