Jackfruit biology, production, use and Philippine research

typifies a multipurpose tree species with considerable potential as an export, horticultural, forestry, and industrial crop. In the Philippines, it is a backyard crop cultivated under subsistence conditions, ranking first among the country"s "minor" fruit crops and sixth among its fruit crops overall. This report provides an introduction to the jackfruit and to Filipino research on it. Individual sections discuss the jackfruit"s: (1) origin, distribution, and domestication; (2) taxonomy and nomenclature; (3) morphology; (4) developmental patterns; (5) varieties and varietal improvement; (6) production; and (7) utilization. Several gaps are identified in Filipino jackfruit research, which has focused on fruit processing to the neglect of non-food uses. In the area of crop improvement, for example, a more rigorous selection and hybridization program is imperative in order to develop outstanding cultivars for specific purposes such as food processing or timber. More work is also needed in systems related to jackfruit planting, fertilizer, irrigation, cultivation, insect pest and disease control, and postharvest management. Most importantly, there is a lack of research on ways to develop the production management, plantation development, and marketing systems needed for jackfruit commercialization.