NUTRIENT CONTENT IN DURIAN (DURIO ZIBETHINUS L.) BRANCH BARK

Abstract

Durian (Durio zibethinus L.) fruit form on the bark of branches. The aim of our research was to assess whether branches bearing different number of fruits have different nutrient contents in their bark. We determined the nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), and carbon (C) content in branch bark 30 days after fruit set using branches bearing different number of fruits per panicle (0, 1, 2 or >2) of two varieties (‘Otong’ and ‘Kani’). Bark was cut into 0.03 m long and 0.005 m wide segments with an average thickness of 0.00085 m. The bark of branches bearing a different number of fruits had the same N, P, K, and C content but different ratios of C/N, C/P, C/K, N/K, and P/K. The bark of ‘Otong’ branches had a higher N content but a lower C/N ratio than ‘Kani’ bark.

Keywords

• durian
• bark
• nutrient
• ‘Otong’
• ‘Kani’