Pawpaw tree named `Levfiv`

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a new and distinct variety of pawpaw tree, which has been given the name ‘Levfiv.’ This variety is distinguished by its all-around excellent fruit quality consisting of large, firm, fleshy, thick skinned fruits with an unusually low seed-to-fruit ratio and an excellent flavor. This variety possess the fleshiest and firmest fruit in pawpaws found to date. The texture is firm and smooth. The number of fruit per cluster is low, often in singles, which simplifies harvesting. The fruit possesses a color break at picking stage which is a major advantage in harvesting the fruit. The fruit firmness plus the thick skin will help in shipping and handling. This variety is one of three varieties newly identified as having potential to establish a commercial pawpaw industry.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a new and distinct and superior variety of the pawpaw which is of interest for its fruit.[0002]The species—Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal—is the largest native edible fruit of North America, a member of the Annonaceae family, and thus a relative of the cherimoya, sweetsop, guanabana and custard apple (Annona cherimola, A. squamosa, A. muricata and A. reticulata), all of which are popular fruits that are widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including southern Florida and southern California. The pawpaw is the only truly temperate member of the Annonaceae, being indigenous to a region stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coastal Plain and from the Chesapeake Bay to the Great Plains.[0003]Currently, the pawpaw is considered to be semi-domesticated. Native Americans casually cultivated the tree, as did the white settlers who displaced them. The selection, propagation and naming of pawpaw ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]‘Levfiv’ possesses exceptional fruit quality, combining as it does in a single variety large size, firm texture, very few seeds and excellent flavor. The fruit is extremely large, on average 300 gm for well-pollinated fruit, and may exceed 450 gm. The cluster size varies, but is commonly one, two or three fruited. Fruit shape is broadly ellipsoidal to nearly spherical. The skin is thicker and tougher than is typical for the species. Skin color is pale yellow-green and slightly glaucous, and is uniformly speckled with minute black dots the size of pin pricks. The fruit normally exhibits a color-break at the stage for picking, which is visible as a brownish collar around the neck of the fruit. This color break is reliable and can be easily discerned with practice. The composition of the fruit is extremely fleshy, with many fewer seeds relative to fruit weight than is typical of pawpaw. Seed size is large. The aroma of the fruit before and after cutting is pleasant and mild. The flavor is excellent, though not as good as ‘Wansevwan’—mild, sweet, free of bitterness or astringency, with a pleasant aftertaste. The pungent asiminous component that is uniquely pawpaw and that many people find objectionable is very low. The flesh is very firm and very smooth with a consistency resembling ‘Haas’ avocado, and produces a very pleasant mouth-feel. It has no detectable fiber or grit. The ripening period at Queenstown has been mid to late season, September 12 to 27, more or less, depending on the degree of heat in the preceding months.

[0013]This variety is susceptible to Talponia plummeriana, the pawpaw peduncle moth, is susceptible to Eurytides marcellus, the zebra swallowtail butterfly, and is believed to be susceptible to pawpaw decline disease, the same in all cases as the species. This variety does not require pruning except to control ultimate tree size. It responds well to pruning, forming a broadly spreading tree of globular shape with normally wide crotch angles. Pruning has an invigorating effect that stimulates growth and fruit bearing. Corrective pruning is minimal. Tree vigor is less than most pawpaws and this variety may need to be grafted onto more vigorous rootstocks to promote good growth and heavier bearing. Fruit yields are moderate, somewhat less than ‘Wansevwan.’

Problems solved by technology

The pungent asiminous component that is uniquely pawpaw and that many people find objectionable is very low.

This variety is susceptible to Talponia plummeriana, the pawpaw peduncle moth, is susceptible to Eurytides marcellus, the zebra swallowtail butterfly, and is believed to be susceptible to pawpaw decline disease, the same in all cases as the species.

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